Bedouin

The Bedu people, whose name embodies the very idea of nomadism, have lived for centuries in the vast, inhospitable deserts of the Middle East, leading their herds of sheep and camels in search of pasture. However, today the Bedu culture is under threat; their migrations curtailed by competing oil interests in the region and by the portacabins and landcruisers that adapt the old ways to the demands of the modern world. Alan Keohane has spent many years travelling with the Bedu tribes in the Middle East and in this photographic record, he pays tribute to the ancient tribal customs that still survive among those who continue their annual journey across the desert plains. Living among the Bedus, he observes the quotidian details of nomadic life, from the everyday chores of cooking and collecting water to the more elaborate tasks of weaving, moving camp and celebrating feasts. Above all, "Bedouin" is a photographic portrait of a people whose life is rich in colour and culture. Its testimony will ensure that the Bedu and their ancient, determined lifestyle are not forgotten.