Rahat is a great puzzle of various tribes. One of the tribes is called Al-Ubayd, and these are the brown-skinned Bedouins. They come from Sudan and joined the Bedouin tribes during ancient times as slaves. The social status of the Sudanites are the lowest in the Bedouin society and they were treated as property throughout the years. When slavery was annulled by law, the Bedouin society underwent great changes, and come of these also applied for the al-Ubayd tribe, which was not managed as a tribe, but as slaves / servants for the Bedouin population. After the establishment of the State of Israel, the al-Ubayd people got together and created an independent tribe, the "al-Balal" which is made of various families in Rahat.
We will hear an account of the al-Ubayd girls about their status in the Bedouin society today, and about the way they got to populate the Negev. We shall also watch a documentary about the origins of Abu-Balal in the Bedouin society.
LUNCH IN SALEM'S TENT IN RAHAT - BEDOUIN HAFLA – MANSAF MAGLUBEH
The Mansaf is a "large tray" for four diners.
IN THE MENU:
Rice with five types of vegetables, slowly cooked, with 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 special home-made sweets for dessert.
Sitting in a tent on mattresses with pillows, carpets and rugs (you can also dine next to modern chairs and tables, upon request).
FASCINATING LECTURES ABOUT BEDOUIN CULTURE AND TRADITION:
- Bedouin wedding ceremony
- Bedouin legal system
The lectures can come by the end of the tour, after a short resting period and a good meal in the tent.