Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Bedouins

BEDOUINS (bed-ö-enz′), Mohammedan people of Arab race, inhabiting chiefly the deserts of Arabia, Syria, Egypt, and North Africa. They lead a nomadic existence in tents, huts, caverns and ruins, associating in families under sheiks or in tribes under emirs. In respect of occupation they are only shepherds, herdsmen, and horse breeders, varying the monotony of pastoral life by raiding on each other and plundering unprotected travelers whom they consider trespassers. The ordinary dress of the men is a long shirt girt at the loins, a black or red and yellow handkerchief for the head, and sandals; of the women, loose drawers, a long shirt, and a large dark-blue shawl covering the head and figure. The lance is the favorite weapon.