Beja people

Bedscha or Beja are an ethnic group in north-eastern Africa with partly nomadic lifestyle and are attributed to the Bedouin.

Settlement area

Most Beja, about 2.2 million live in Eastern Sudan in the Jibal al -Bahr al - ahmar in the state of al -Bahr al - ahmar, and beside still in the states of Kassala, al - Qadarif and Nahr an - Nil. Other areas are located in Gebel Elba - National Park ( in the Egyptian- Sudanese border area ) in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Language

Their language is also called Bedscha or Bedawi.

Settlements

Economic reasons compel reinforced to settle in cities and agriculture. Sedentary become Bedscha settle in nonspecific houses of brick or clay. Nomadic Bedscha traditionally live in unique barrel-shaped tents ( Bidaigau ) that look like upturned boat hulls. A construction from Asthölzern is covered with braided mats made ​​of palm fibers ( Takaib ). The floor remains free or is covered with reed mats. The tents are not fenced and are usually placed at wide intervals.

Subsistence

The main food was traditionally made from flour, lentils and dried Juteblättern. Also tea, coffee and sugar was is. Bread is either on a hot plate or in the hot sand baked ( Gur ). Some tribes engage in fishing activities, for example in the area of Manazig. Even mussels are eaten. They cook with charcoal, mainly from acacia wood. In the past, the hunting of gazelles ( Gazella dorcas ) played an important role. Her pets include sand-colored medium-sized dogs, medium size bright donkeys, sheep, black goats, predominantly white, rare tawny camels and chickens from Asir type. The role of donkeys and camels is increasingly taken over by jeeps. Sheep wool, goat and camel hair is spun and woven into mats and carpets. Goats and camels are milked, processes the milk into yogurt and cheese. Goats, camels and gazelles also provide skins for leather that is tanned with acacia fruits (Acacia nilotica ). There are also the camel saddles and bags for storing food, clothes and valuables from leather. The herding of sheep and goats as well as spinning and weaving is the responsibility of women, while men are responsible for collecting firewood and cooking. Coffee is drunk with ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and lots of sugar from tiny cups. Wild plants are processed to salads and teas, here are mainly mallow and the Fleabane ( Pulicaria undulata ) call. Branches of the toothbrush tree ( Salvadora persica L. ) are used as a toothbrush. After rains partially (Sorghum bicolor) is grown, which serves as camel fodder.

Tourism is now an important source of income, for example, in Wadi Gemal. The main merit of course, remains with the tour operators.

Religion

The Beja are Muslims today.

History

Possible ancestors of Bedschas were the Blemmyes who repeatedly invaded in late antiquity in the province of Egypt. At least since the 3rd century BC to the Arab conquest, they controlled the trade between the southern Red Sea and the Nile Valley. The Bedschas converted to Christianity in the 6th century. This happened under the influence of three Christian Nubian kingdoms Nobatia, Makuria and Alodia and the Aksumite Empire, under whose rule they lived from the third to the eighth century. As Aksum lost its power, the Bedschas founded five kingdoms in the area of present north- eastern Eritrea and the north-eastern Sudan. Later she embraced Islam and spread themselves further from the Sudan.

The Arab traveler and geographer al - Mas'udi reported in the 10th century following about the Beja:

You Live " between the Red Sea and the Nile, divided into several tribes, and are subject to several kings. In their country there are gold and emerald mines. On their noble camels constantly conducted raids into the land of the Nubians and take prisoners. The Nubians were once superior to Bedschas, namely until asserted itself in the latter of Islam and a number of Muslims in the gold mine [ ... ] settled. In the same areas also migrated Arabs of the tribe of Rabi'a Ibn Association of Nizar. They were there very powerful and married with the Bedschas which thereby also increasing in strength. "

Subphyla

• Ababde between Al - Quseir and Shalateen
• Beni Amer
• Bisharin south of Shalateen
• Hadendoa
• Hedareb