THE DETROIT JEWISH MEWS Friday, September 1, 1978 19 Sexual Life of Bedouin Studied By MOSHE RON The Jewish News Special Israel Correspondent TEL AVIV — A member of Kibutz Hashita, Shabtai Levy, has written a re- search work about life of nine Bedouin tribes in Northern Sinai. He bas lived in the desert many years studying the customs of the Bedouins and collect- ing research material. He is a teacher of natural science on his kibutz. Levy found that Bedouin have intercourse twice a week on Tuesday and Fri- day. The Bedouin woman chooses her most beautiful nightshirt. There is no love-play between the couple and the intercourse lasts about 15 minutes. Af- terwards, the woman washes herself in the tent, the man outside. There are cases in which a Bedouin has sexual inter- course only once a week. But if a Bedouin woman or man refrains from having sexual intercourse, they risk a divorce. After a birth of a child, sexual relations are interrupted for 40 days. e 'e The research book, published by Levy, con- tains details about the daily life of the Bedouins. Today, Bedouins in Southern Sinai have much better social and medical conditions than before because of help from the Israelis. Bedouin strive to have many children. A childless woman is boycotted by the tribe. There are only 3 per- cent childless Bedouin wo- men. Unfertile women take pills, made of 40 plants. There is another Bedouin custom in this case: the husband of an unpregnant woman invites members of his tribe to a meal in his eral children together, tent. During the meal he when they become at least suddenly throws a black dog seven years old. Every Bedouin donates on the head of his wife. Panic breaks out and the something for each cir- cumcised child. The woman become hysterical. The shock is supposed to ceremony of circumci- help her to become pre- sion is one of the most important events. All re- gnant. Another treatment: the latives are invited. All childless woman goes with bring gifts. The ceremony takes place an old, experienced Bedouin woman to the desert. She is in three tents, one for men, a put into a swarm of ants and second for women, a third showered with cold water. for children who are being The Bedouins believe that circumcised. On the first this treatment leads to suc- day there is a big meal with dancing and singing. On the cessful intercourse. In another treatment, the second day the circumcision husband of a childless takes place. In recent years woman is ordered to shoot a it is carried out with modern wolf, to tear off his skin, fill instruments and the chil- it with straw and give it to dren hardly cry during the his wife. When the skin act. After the circumcision, dries, the woman covers herself with the skin and the children remain in the tent until the circumcision takes a shower. Often the reason for a heals. Then they return to childless couple is the their parents. The Bedouins maintain husband. He expells his wife, she marries another that girls must be circum- cised in order to weaken man and has children. Until lately the Bedouins their lust. The Bedouins did not know about birth treat adultery of a woman control pills. Now women as a major crime, which can with many children ask the only be revenged by blood. Israeli health institutions Circumcisions of girls are to provide them with the often carried out by their own mothers. pill. Until a few years ago, Be- For birth, the Bedouin woman prepares food. douins generally expected to live 50 years. Owing to Neighbors cook for her. Older women serve as mid- the medical help, which they receive from the Israeli wives. After the birth the mother lies for two days authorities, they now live much longer. They still use without moving. On the third day she washes her- "witch-medicines" against self, dresses and leaves the illnesses, but the Israeli tent. After a week she re- health institutions have turns to the household and created a revolution in med- ical aid among them. Once a work in the fields. If a girl is born, she is cir- week a doctor visits their tents in the Sinai Desert. cumcised like a boy. As Serious patients are there is a big celebration with great expense on this removed by helicopters occasion, the Bedouin to the hospital in makes the Brit Mila for sev- Beersheba. Medical aid is • Twelve Oaks Mall Nevi at 12 Mile • Tel-Twelve Nall Telegraii at 12 Mile • Milkweed Sbuilig Cater 13 Mile at Windward • Ileadowbresk Village Mall wafts at Aims Rd. goes on. The state has infil- trated the desert tribes, which have come nearer to civilization. It is certain that the traditional way of life of the Bedouin will weaken and disappear in the end. 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