Week 3: Abou Eid Today

Children typically reach elementary school and then begin to work. Usually parents aren’t fond of educating their girls because she will “ultimately leave them”. Those who are educated can work as teachers and secretaries; one woman for example earns a salary of 750,000 Lebanese pounds. It is very rare to find employees working for the government. A favor or connection is usually needed to become part of the Lebanese army and thus to receive benefits.
Before elections the members of Arab Abou Eid are often bribed but the Bedouins don’t usually accept money for they aren’t materialistic people. They are very hospitable for “A guest is a guest of God” and they don’t expect money in return for any aid.
Members of the community are always there for each other especially during hard times and they have no problem borrowing and lending things amongst each other. Traditional Bedouin customs are still rife but they’ve dwindled a bit with time because of the changing environment. For example, not all men still negotiate with the families of their brides-to-be and not all families refer to the Sheikh when there is a problem, although they believe that the Sheikh knows wrong from right inherently.