Bedouin Social System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What was a primary factor that limited the Bedouins' communication with the outside world?

They relied heavily on farming.

They lacked surplus to trade. (correct)

They had a formal political organization.

They were well-educated individuals.

What material were Bedouin tents primarily made from?

Synthetic fibers

Cotton and linen

Wood and clay

Woven goat or camel hair (correct)

How did Bedouin tribes determine leadership among their members?

By characteristics like generosity and bravery (correct)

Through inheritance of titles

Based on wealth accumulation

By local political elections

What type of education was available in the settled communities?

Kuttab-based education for children Signup and view all the answers

What type of clothing did Bedouins typically wear in winter?

Animal hides and skins Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the social structure of settled communities?

Formal political organizations and hierarchies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the literacy levels among the Bedouin population?

Most were illiterate due to their lifestyle Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason wealthy women in settled Qatari society were isolated from the outside world?

They had to supervise servants and domestic work. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant economic factor for settled communities living near the sea?

Involvement in handicrafts and small industries Signup and view all the answers

In the settled communities, who remained in the villages and cities during the pearling season?

Women and a few men with year-round professions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the social organization of the settled community?

Fluid with individuals cooperating across tribal lines. Signup and view all the answers

How did the social class of Qatari women influence their roles before the discovery of oil?

Wealthy women's roles were defined by their husbands' careers. Signup and view all the answers

What significant role did women play in Bedouin society?

They traveled alongside men and were involved in herding. Signup and view all the answers

What year was the kuttab of Amna al-Mahmud established as the first modern school for girls?

1956 Signup and view all the answers

What was a common feature of the houses found in settled communities?

They were made of mud and stone and organized in neighborhoods. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following subjects were taught at The Rushdiye School established in 1890?

Arabic language, Islamic studies, and basic arithmetic Signup and view all the answers

What typical activity did men in settled communities engage in during the pearling season?

Pearling work away from home. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor that led to the closure of the Athariya school in 1938?

The decline of the pearl trade Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could be inferred about women's education in settled Qatari society?

Education was restricted mainly to religious texts. Signup and view all the answers

Which individual played a pivotal role in the establishment of the first formal school in Qatar?

Shaykh Abdullah bin Jassim Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the Battle of Wajbah in 1893 on the education system?

It resulted in the closure of The Rushdiye School. Signup and view all the answers

What limitations did the kuttabs face in providing education?

Teachers’ lack of academic qualifications Signup and view all the answers

Which school was known for its significant role and existed until 1938?

Athariya School Signup and view all the answers

What motivated the establishment of more developed schools than the kuttabs?

Increased numbers of merchants and foreign relations Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary reason for the closure of kuttabs?

Death or retirement of teachers Signup and view all the answers

What subjects did kuttabs primarily focus on?

Memorizing the Quran and basic literacy Signup and view all the answers

What was the socioeconomic context of kuttab education?

It satisfied simple societal needs and the economic context of the period. Signup and view all the answers

How were kuttabs funded during their operation?

By wealthy patronage and volunteer support Signup and view all the answers

What unique role did Ms. Amna Mahmud al-Jayida play in Qatari education?

She opened the first modern girls' school in Qatar. Signup and view all the answers

At what age did children typically stop attending kuttabs in Qatar?

Age ten Signup and view all the answers

What distinction did some Qatari kuttabs achieve in the early twentieth century?

They were recognized as schools due to quality and graduate levels. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about kuttabs is accurate?

They served both boys and girls from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Signup and view all the answers

What role did the shaykh play in the judiciary system of Qatar before the discovery of oil?

The shaykh attended trials and sentencing for major crimes. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant characteristic of salifa courts in Qatar?

Salifa courts' rulings were influenced by the judges' interests. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary economic structure of Qatar before oil, as described in the context?

Subsistence economy producing just enough for consumption demands. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a main resource in the Gulf before oil?

Large-scale agricultural farms Signup and view all the answers

How did the pearling economy impact the social structure in Qatar?

It created work opportunities and attracted Bedouin social powers. Signup and view all the answers

What was a common method of transaction in the economy before oil?

Transactions primarily occurred through barter. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the agricultural practices in pre-oil Qatar?

Agriculture was dependent on artesian wells and limited rainfall. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did diving for pearls specifically influence the local community?

It created employment for coastal inhabitants. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bedouins led simple, nomadic lives with easily assembled woven tents made from goat or camel hair, crafted by women.
Clothing was practical: flowing robes in summer, animal hides in winter, and barefooted.
Diet consisted of locally available food like dates and dairy; occasional purchases made for special occasions.
Isolation limited their communication with the outside world, and surplus for trade was minimal.
Tribal customs governed social life, with no formal political structure; authority lay with the shaykh, chosen for leadership qualities rather than inheritance.
Illiteracy was common due to constant movement, but Bedouins excelled in oral poetry and storytelling celebrated in gatherings.

Settled communities were established in villages and cities along the coast, engaging in handicrafts and small industries.
Economic activities were primarily reliant on the sea; notable villages included Doha, Wakra, al-Khor, Fuwayrit, and Ruwais.
Houses were constructed from mud and stone, with organized neighborhoods that included diverse tribes.
Relative stability allowed for social cooperation and the gradual development of collective norms and legal structures.

Women in Qatari Society Before Oil

During pearling season, men left coastal areas, leaving behind women, children, and the elderly, which increased women’s societal roles.
Wealthy women oversaw domestic activities but remained isolated and largely uneducated, only learning to read some Quran.
Women of high status formed a distinct social circle with unique customs separate from men’s world.

Role of Women in Bedouin Society

Women participated actively in daily tasks, including travel, animal herding, and household preparations.
Education for children occurred in kuttabs, often run by women, focusing on Quran memorization and basic literacy skills.
Kuttabs were inconsistent in quality and relied on community support; notable female educators emerged, such as Ms. Amna Mahmud al-Jayida, the first female teacher in Qatar.

Early Formal Schools

The Rushdiye School was established in 1890 through Ottoman influence, teaching Arabic, Islamic studies, and basic arithmetic.
The school system did not last beyond 1893 due to political changes; however, demand for formal education rose with economic growth.
The Athariya school was founded in 1913, funded by local merchants; it trained students until its closure in 1938.

Judiciary in Qatar Before Oil

Legal matters lacked modern structure; serious cases were attended to by the shaykh, while commercial disputes were managed in specialized courts.
The “salifa courts” specifically addressed grievances related to the pearl trade, often biased towards ship captains.

Economy Before Oil

The subsistence economy focused on basic survival without surplus production or investment; communities relied on barter transactions.
Main resources included diving for pearls, herding, fishing, limited agriculture, and customs revenues from trade.
The pearling economy fostered job opportunities locally and attracted Bedouins, impacting Qatar's social and economic landscape significantly prior to oil discovery.

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Description

Explore the unique social system of the Bedouin people, characterized by their nomadic lifestyle and simple living. This quiz covers their traditional tents, clothing, and food sources, highlighting their adaptation to the desert environment.