Salem Abu Siam is pleased to welcome you in an authentic tent, according to the Bedouin tradition. The rwaj closes three directions of the tent, wrapping around it, and the Hadna closes the tent from the east.

In the tent, you can enjoy coffee and Baklava, and hear fascinating stories, experiences from my childhood, youth and adulthood, and various stories about Rahat, I personally knew since its establishment.

My wife and other family members will serve an indulging lunch, and will sit around the Mansaf Magluba tray, and enjoy the best Bedouin delicacies we have to offer you.

Salem will take you to a guided tour, and will make you see Rahat like you never did. Rahat is renovating, and its traditional parts remain. Salem explains the culture, helps you connect with the past and the future. We will share plenty of stories – about our ancestors, women initiatives and many other topics. Salem's hospitality is spiced with personal experiences and with deep acquaintance with the Bedouin tradition in the Negev.

You are welcome to enjoy the culture of Bedouin hospitality, the great stories, and the personal experiences by Salem Abo Siam.

 The Bedouin tent is woven by hand. The sheets that surround it are made of the wool of black goats. This wool features a unique quality, with an oily coating that repels water. As rains are falling, the sheets are stretched and close the small gaps, making the tent rainproof. The black sheets are decorated with white stripes, made from the wool of sheep.

The rwaj – wraps around the tent in three directions – west, south and north.

The hadna – the eastern cover of the tent, serving as its front entrance. Usually, you enter the tent from the north-east corner.

 

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    Hospitality tent with coffee, tea, baklava and other sweets

    You are welcome to enjoy the Bedouin hospitality tradition. The Bedouins, the residents of the desert, are famous for their hospitality. According to tradition, a Bedouin is obliged to welcome anyone, without considering his identity, to serve the guest and avoid asking questions for three days and eight hours. If the guest comes for a certain reason, he shall explain it to his host after this period of time. The guest can  stay as long as he wishes. He usually stays in the Sack, the place where men convene. This is often the place of the oldest man of the family and sometimes it is just a separate structure north of the main tent. The guest will stay in the sack and will receive his meals there. These arrangements are aimed to avoid unintentional meetings between the guest and the women, to protect their morality.

    It is a festive custom to slaughter a goat for the guest on the first day. During all other days, the guest eats according to his hosts' menu. Drinking coffee with the guest is a special ritual. It is accustomed to drink the coffee in small sips, as it is considered a delicacy, and after the drink, to give the cup back to the host. You can drink one or two coffee cups, but you should avoid having a third one. The host must also care for the guest's riding animal and provide the guest with food and drinks for the road.

    The guest can't ask for anything, as the host provides for all his needs, even without him asking. The only allowed question is for the direction of Meccah, so that he can pray towards it. The guest can also ask for directions to the toilet. After the guest and the host part, the guest should praise the host, to increase his honor and value.

    A visit in Salem's tent is like a journey back in time. During the visit, you will hear the true story of the Bedouin tradition, which is an ancient one.

    Sitting in a tent on mattresses with pillows, carpets and rugs (you can also dine next to modern chairs and tables, upon request).

    A Luxurious Breakfast to Get the Day Started

    Labane, Za'atar, olives, oil, vegetable salad, Hummus, Spicy sauces, Bedouin pita bread, various cold drinks, coffee and tea.

    Bedouin Hafla for Lunch – Mansaf Maglubeh

    The Mansaf is a "large tray" for four diners.

    In the menu:

    Vegetables slowly cooked, under layers of rice, pieces of chicken with spices, "Farika soup", Bedouin vegetable salad, eggplants, cabbage, hummus, pickles, special sauce for the Maglubeh, Bedouin pita bread, various cold drinks, coffee and tea, and baklawah and sweets for dessert.

    Special Private Events

    You are welcome to enjoy the tent also for private events – birthdays, family parties, social meetings. We spice all happy events with authentic Bedouin hospitality, to enjoy a unique experience in Salem's tent.