Bedouins in northern Syria: far from technology

The Bedouins in northern Syria lead a life in harmony with nature. Their culture and history are passed on from generation to generation.

Mezna Derwîş is a Bedouin and lives in Dêrik in the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria. "We are Arab nomads and live our culture in harmony with nature," she says. "We are known as wandering shepherds living in tents. We change our campsites according to the season. This is a very old tradition that we continue and cultivate."

Mezna talks about the Bedouin culture and points to the situation of women within this culture: "Bedouins are different from other women in society. We attract a lot of attention with our clothes, our way of life and the way we dress. Unlike in Arab culture, Bedouins can marry only one woman."

Enud Sherabi, another Bedouin, sums up her life: "Bedouins are hardworking and productive women. The day starts at dawn and continues till the evening with work. In the early morning, food is prepared and the animals are fed. We meet our everyday needs through the milk of our animals, from which we make yoghurt and cheese.

In the evening everyone comes together and we tell each other fairy tales and stories from the past. We keep ourselves away from technology as much as possible. We love this way of life and are satisfied with it. We also attract our children with this culture. In this way, we let our culture and our history live on."