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The Bedouin can be divided bith by geographic and herding groups. The two to an extent overlap. Geographically there are two groups: the Eastern and Western Bedouin. The original Arabs were the Eastern Bedouin. While Bedouins are not defined by ethnicity, their ethnicity is largly determined by geography. We are not familiar with DNA studies, but they should provide fascinating insights as to Bedouin origins and ethnicity. Herding groups include the various species of animals that the Bedouin have hereded over time. By far the most prestigious of the Bedouin are the camel herders. This probably reflects the control of trade routes made possible by the camel.
The Bedouin are divided into two main geographic groups which is reflected in their Arabic dialects and ethnicity. There are eastern and western Bedouin, divided roughly along the Egyptian-Libyan border. The original Arabs were the Eastern Bedouin. The Bedouin are a people largely defined by life style rather than ethnicity. Geography has, however, affected ethnicity. The Eastern Bedouin, especially in Arabia, are of Semetic origins. This means that they are ethnically differed from the population of the Middle East. The Siani Bedouins have, for example, different facial features than other Egyptians. We are not yet familair with DNA studies which may provide insights into Bedouin origins and relatins to wideer Arab peoples. Other Bedouins have more varied origins. The western Bedouin are of largely non-Arab and non-Semetic origins.
The Bedouin can also be divided as to the herd species that upon which their livelihood is based. The most prestigious are the camel herders. The Bedouin people have existed for centuries, the cammel is a relative newcomer, orignating in Asia. A major attachment developed wih the camel and the Bedouin people of Arabian and the Saharan Deserts. The camel provided the means of transversing vast distances in the desert. It also gave them the means of controling trade routes brining them wealth far beyond the potential of animal herding in a harsh environment. For this reason, the Western Bedouin in the Sahara became associated with the African slave trade. The Taureg in particular became deeply involved with the slave trade. Beneath the camel nomads were the hearders of sheep and goat nomads. The needs of the amimals restricted their migrations in comparison to the camel Bedouin. The sheep and goat hearders had to stay near agricultural regions and became lagely restricted to Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. There were also cattle nomads. They are found mostly in southern Arabia and the Sudan. They became known as the Baqqārah (Baggara).
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