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Jordan
/ People
The modern
history of Jordan has given the country a population derived from
many ethnic backgrounds. The "native" Jordanians are the bedou
and the inhabitants of the settled villages and towns that have
existed in the land of Jordan for millennia.
The Bedou,
or Bedouin as they are called in English, are the inhabitants
of the semi-arid, steppe-like desert, called the Badia in Arabic.
Originally nomadic or semi-nomadic desert dwellers, the bedou
migrate seasonably along fixed routes defined by their sources
of pasturage and water. In the winter, the bedou migrate to the
rich lands of the Jordan Rift Valley to escape the harsh desert
conditions.
Traditionally
herders, the bedou would take their animals, families, tents and
few belongings with them. Today, most Bedou have become urbanized
or semi-nomadic.
During the
late 19th and early 20th centuries, periodic waves of people from
the Caucasus region of Asia, Armenia, Palestine, the Hijaz (western
Saudi Arabia), Syria and Iraq settled in Jordan, adding to the
ethnic mix of the indigenous population.
The Circassians
came from the Caucasus region in the late 19th century. The Circassians'
loyalty to King Abdullah and their expertise in farming prompted
the King to allocate large tracts of land to them. Circassians
also hold key positions in the army and serve as the King's ceremonial
bodyguards. Although fiercely loyal to Jordan and devout Muslims,
the Circassians retain their own customs and habits, and still
speak their own language alongside Arabic. Also from the Caucasus
region are the Chechen, who retain their own customs and language.
Another ethnic
group that migrated to Jordan is the Armenians. Unlike the Circassians
and Chechen, the Armenians are Christian, and have also retained
their language, customs and habits. Traditionally skilled at manual
crafts, the Armenians long excelled in fields such as jewelry
making, photography and maintenance of machinery. Today they are
integrated in all economic sectors of society.
The expatriate
workers in Jordan also add diversity to the ethnic mix of the
population. Jordan hosts approximately 200,000 Egyptian workers,
and perhaps another 80,000 Filipinos, Sri Lankans, Indians, Pakistanis,
Syrians, Lebanese, Europeans, and North Americans.
More information on the country and its people:
Geography
Climate
People
History
Language
Religion
Additional information on Jordan:
Travel Information
Amman
Aqaba
The Dead Sea
The Decapolis
The Desert Castles
Kerak
Madaba
Petra
Other Attractions
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