Bedouin, Sirtican in Libya

Introduction / History

The traditional homeland of Bedouins is the Arabian Desert. Hundreds of years ago, they began to migrate into North Africa. Today, a significant number of Bedouins live in Libya. Although Bedouin groups are scattered throughout Libya, the Sirtican Bedouin tribe lives primarily along the Mediterranean coast, an area also known as Tripolitania.

The Bedouins fall into two basic social classes. One class is known as the true Bedouin, and they live as nomadic shepherds. The other group has embraced farming and is known as the fellahin. The fellahin lead a more settled life on the edge of the desert. In contrast, the "true" Bedouin have been known for raiding any caravans that cross their paths while journeying across barren deserts. They move into the desert during the rainy winter seasons and back to the desert's edge during the hot, dry summers. Most Sirtican Bedouins are of the fellahin type. They speak Libyan Arabic.

In the 1960s, the Libyan government constructed standardized housing for Bedouins. Bedouins were expected to pay rent. It took them until the 1970s to start to use this housing, which they initially thought was inappropriate for their needs.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Despite being more settled than the nomadic Bedouin, the Sirtican Bedouin still have a relatively harsh existence. Those who herd goats and sheep stay close to the desert's edge, and the harsh environment makes farming a difficult task with a poor yield. As in most Bedouin societies, the women do most of the work, while the men tend to socialize and make plans for the group.

Dairy products are the main food source for the Bedouin. Milk from camels and goats is made into yogurt and a type of butter called ghee. Most of their meals consist of a bowl of milk, yogurt, or rice covered with ghee (clarified butter). They serve round loaves of unleavened bread when bread is available. Dates, which can be found in desert oases, are eaten for dessert. Meat is only served on special occasions such as marriage feasts, ceremonial events or when guests are present.

Sirtican Bedouins prefer cross cousin marriages. Parents and other elders arrange most marriages. A Bedouin man can marry a non-Bedouin woman, but their women cannot marry a non-Bedouin.

To endure the extreme heat of the desert, Sirtican Bedouins wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. It is very loose-fitting, allowing for the circulation of air. It is designed to cover the entire body except for the head, hands and feet.

Sirtican Bedouins adhere to a code of honor and modesty. Lying, cheating, showing disrespect to elders and women is not tolerated. They use shaming as a way to ensure conformity. In extreme cases someone is expelled from their communities. They settle their own disagreements without relying on the police or local courts.

People who live outside demarcated settlements are considered squatters by the Libyan government. That gives the government the power to do what they want with lands that the Sirticans and other Bedouins have settled. With all the fighting, Libya lacks a government with enough power to interfere with the lives of Bedouin tribes.

Some Sirtican Bedouins are police officers, bankers, realtors or commercial retail workers. Their lives are being affected by the ongoing fighting which will affect Libya for years to come.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sirtican Bedouins in Libya are Sunni Muslims of the Malakite school. This is one of the largest Sunni Muslim schools of thought. They rely on the Koran and the Hadith (commentary) for religious truth.

Islam is based on the teachings of the prophet, Mohammed. The Koran ("holy book" of Islam) was supposedly given to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.

Islam is a religion of works that is centered on five basic teachings or "pillars." (1) A Muslim must affirm that "there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." (2) Five times a day he must pray while facing Mecca. (3) He must give an obligatory percentage (very similar to tithes) on an annual basis. (4) He must fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year. (5) He must try to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in his lifetime.

Islam has greatly influenced the lives of the Sirtican Bedouins. It is central to their identity as a people.

What Are Their Needs?

The Sirtican Bedouins need protection. Libya is involved with a long, drawn out civil war that makes life dangerous for everyone. Few if any Bedouins know about the Water of Life.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to thrust out hearty and loving workers to be salt and light among the Sirtican Bedouins.
Pray for the word of God in audio forms to come to every Sirtican household.
Ask the Lord to raise up churches that plant more churches among the Sirtican Bedouins.
Pray for Sirtican Bedouin family leaders to have dreams of the Lord, leading entire families into the Kingdom.

Text Source:   Joshua Project