Field Notes 2 / Bedouin Family - Al Shai’rawi
Father and son of Shai’rawi family
Twenty to thirty families in migrating group. Pointed out related families on nearby hills, about another 10 groups, all came originally from Beersheba (Palestine) and were agriculturalists that became nomads after 1948 war.
Ten in camp family: father (approx. 65-70) mother (who finally came and sat down with us after we had been there an hour), three sons (one had been in army) one teenage son and one approx. 12 year old daughter-in-law, and several daughters (did not see them much)
Migration Pattern - have house Ghawayr where wife and children spend school year. Spring in Ay until April 1 in upland village just above escarpment to Dead Sea. Ay village has a lot of olive and grapes with fertile farms on the side of the escarpment. Summer (June 1) move onto Karak Plateau - stay for two months will move from edge of fajj to Adnania village. Winter months are spent near Dead Sea near phosphate flats on south end
Animals: lambing was in January and had 300 newborn, bad year 40 died of disease. Before April had herd of 600 to 700, had to sell for cash to have enough money to feed animals periodically throughout the summer, owned two donkeys, some chickens, 8 camels until 3 years ago but sold several and had 6 camels until two years ago, sold them because need for cash - liquidity
(Explanatory notes from Raid on animal husbandry - birthrate of goats and sheep about .97 (almost 1 per head) goats have more twins. Animals give birth when 1.5 to 2 years old are fertile until 5 years old. Sell old and young male lambs/goats. Formula for culling rate)
Man said he must feed animals before he feeds his family.
Products for market: sell jamid but not milk (jamid - cheese - also comes from Syria and is half the price but the Jordanian jamid is better. Also make Samin Baladi (local butter) and sells for 1 kilo for 7-8 J.D., and sell lambs
Possessions: metal fencing for sheep, 325 Massey Ferguson tractor (bought used five years ago), water tank wagon
Problems: Land - limited land because of extensive building, competition from more herders competing for the same land, can buy grazing rights for 5 J.D. per dunum with grain standing.
Household items: nicer pillows and mattresses than first three families, tent made from traditional woven wools. Nicest we have been in so far.
Interview: drank tea, hot goats milk and spiced coffee, interview lasted about 1.5 hoursOther matters- wants to have land so he can plant trees, had on wedding ring and young son had a watch, older son was dressed in fatigues and Olympic baseball cap from Minute Maid, doesn't have truck so had to herd sheep from 11 PM till 6 AM to present place
Situation with water - Government Water Company at Ghawayr: Sell water to trucks for 1 J.D. per 1 cubic meter and trucker sells water for 11 to 12 J.D. per cubic foot. Put outlet for Bedouin because, if they want water from the pipeline, they will shoot a hole in the line. Water from Sultani supplies all southern portion of the Karak plateau - pump 480 cubic meters per hour and 90 meters per hour from 3 wells. Bedouin get water from private wells - easier to take tractor to. To get from government must go to Water Office in Karak, pay and get a receipt and then go to distribution center.