Bedouin Law

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The Bedouin have their own distinct culture and also their own law called Al ‘Orf, delivered verbally through generations. The Bedouin law in South Sinai is not only accepted by the seven tribes of South Sinai but also by Egyptian authoroties.

Bedouins consider a decision made by a Bedouin court far more credible than one made by an official Egyptian court.

When a dispute arise, the matter is initially discussed within the family and tribe. This tribal gathering is called majlis and any member of the tribe have the right to speak, although the head of the tribe - the sheikh’s - word is given the most weight. The case will then go to tlaaba, or Bedouin court. The decision of the court is based on consensus and is final.

The Bedouin law is based on honor codes called sharaf for men and ird for women.  The penalty would usually involve a compensation in terms of money or assets, but could also be a punishment effecting the individual's pride. In the Jabaleya tribe, a black coat hung in front of someone’s door brings great shame.

According the Bedouin law, the punishment  is four times stronger if the offended is a woman. A Bedouin woman stepping into a conflict to defend a male family member is therefore far more powerful than one could imagine.