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A tribe comprises a group of small clans headed by the chief of
the tribe, who had certain responsibilities as explained by Lebon.
"At all times. the desert Nomads of, Arabs were divided into small
tribes. Each of these tribes was under the command of a Sheikh or
Amir (a leader) whose responsibility was to lead warrior and distribute
booty, and to be the guest of honour on some ceremonial occasions.
It is not known whether a woman was ever the leader of her tribe;
it is however. unlikely. in view of the higher status held by men
both in the tribe and the family. There is no historical evidence
that women had any higher status in their tribes at that time* 2
However, sometimes a woman might play an important role in politics.
For example, she might be a particularly influential wife or sister,
or, daught6r to the tribe's chief. or a messenger of peace between
disputing tribes.
For livelihood. the Bedouin depended on tilreq. sources. These
were fees and animals:
1) Every tribe had the right to protect its territory just as
states do. If a foreigner wanted to cross this territory, he
would need to be-, under the protection of a member of the tribe. Any
group, such as aýcaravan or another tribe, needing to cross its had
to seek and be granted permission. It was customary. for such
permission, for a tribe to pay a fee. The tribe's pastures were
clearly considered to be the tribe's own land as long as that tribe
remained and settled on the land. However, when the tribe moved on to
another place$ the new land becomes its own, while the previous
territory became the property of whoever moved on to it. Refusal to
pay the required'feas often caused inter-tribal wars-.
1. Uboný GlWtavep VAdjrat al-Arab,, P*100*
2. al-Fabbiýgh; Laylg. al-Ma. Ah Fr al'-T; rfokh al.! Arabr (Women in Arab
History)& P* 235*
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