The Bdūl and Petra: Life on the Rocks

Abstract

In this article, the author, who normally concentrates on writing about the monuments of Petra, considers the Bdūl Bedouin, the last people to inhabit the site of Petra, who were a large part of the reason she was attracted to study the ancient city. Here, she reflects upon the Bdūl, their relationship with the monuments, tourists, and archaeologists, such as herself. She argues that their relationship and identification with Petra has grown stronger rather than weaker since they were relocated from the site to purpose-built housing in the village of Umm Sayhūn in 1985, even as intimate familiarity with living among the monuments recedes. Yet, still, the continued activities of the Bdūl in Petra help the author to imagine more ancient times.