Topic: The People of the Middle East and Their Way of Life

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TopicThe People of the Middle East and Their
Way of Life
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The People

• There are three very different ways of life in
  the Middle East. The farmer, the nomadic herder,
  and the city dweller almost seem to live in
  separate worlds yet each group is dependent on
  each other.

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Nomads

• 5 of the people.
• Known as bedouins and live in tribes.
• Tribes share language and religion and are united
  under one leader called a sheik.
• They spend time searching for water and grass for
  herds of sheep, goats, and camels.
• The animals provide the nomads with most of their
  needs other items are purchased when they reach
  an oasis.
• Diets of flour, dates, and fruits that come from
  the farms and groves.
• From the towns, they obtain utensils, cloth,
  coffee, tea, and sugar.
• Very proud individuals but the clan, tribe, and
  family are more important.
• TODAY
• under the control of other govts. life has
  changed. They have jobs in the oil industry and
  are soldiers, etc.

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Village Farmers

• 75 of the population.
• Most farmers own small plots of land often too
  small to support their families (some farmers
  rent their land).
• Most farmers still work with simple tools.
• Few medical facilities, no electricity, no
  running water, no paved roads for years changes
  have now occurred (news is making its way to
  villages).
• Exception Israel (collective farms called
  kibbutz profits divided among the people living
  there).

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City Dwellers

• The urban areas dominate the rest of the country
  where power is concentrated political, economic,
  social, and cultural.
• The old Arab town is alongside the modern city.
  The old city was built for religion and
  protection. Most cities have a mosque (temple of
  worship).
• Near by is the bazaar (marketplace) leather,
  rugs, gold, silver, jewelers, etc. as well as
  food from the villages are sold.

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Largest Cities

• Cairo, Egypt (6,000,000)
• Istanbul, Turkey (5,500,000)
• Baghdad, Iraq (4,600,000)
• Cities have usual problems.
• Also, there are not enough jobs.