From Culture to Culturism: Rethinking "Cultural Translation" of Nomadic Bedouin Society

This article examines the concept of Bedouin culture in Middle East as it is perceived both by themselves and various scholars. Like other cultures, has undergone extensive continuous change. process can be understood a dynamic construction related to agents change, flexibility, liquid borders, identity politics, enabled enter modern age under conditions that will ensure its continued existence. Yet “cultural translation” – i.e., Orientalist scholars Western travelers historians who followed their footsteps, alongside imperialist colonialist powers viewed weak detrimental sedentary population. Hence, this study presents an approach differs from espoused scholars, whose narratives tend paint negative picture, claiming structural violence defined relationships between Fellahin (Arabic for “peasants” or settled Arabs) populations throughout history. Thus, seeks correct assumptions embedded earlier, studies. Accordingly, main argument material spiritual historical reputation. Historically, there have been integrative relations Fellahin. To end, I make use literature, Arab chronicles, anthropological studies, four in-depth interviews conducted years 2014–2016 with Yafa, Bedouin-Fellahin village.