Changes in the land usage by the Negev Bedouin since the mid-19th century. The intra-tribal perspective

There are a number of causes for the Negev Bedouin's transition from pastoralism to agriculture. Most important are the rising economic, political and military power of the states in the area, forcing pastoralists to settle or to migrate, along with a tendency for people to purchase holdings on the periphery of settled lands. There is also a political committment of tribesmen to their agnates and home territory. This latter issue is the concern of the current paper. The committment has the effect to counter farming or the sedentary inclination of the individual shepherd. This is actually rooted not so much in tribal land ownership or control as in the relations to the more narrow group of agnates, with its capacity for blood-money payment and its role in traditional jurisdiction. The honour of the group of agnates is linked with territory. This, along with a production aspect, is how the usage of tribal land is significant for an age-old ethos. -Authors