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Bedouin Proverbs
Feb 28, 2021
Illustrated Bedouin proverbs - ancient wisdom for modern times.
I am working on another epic project - a book telling the story of my 2019 adventures in the Bedouin city of Rahat in the Negev desert.
However, if you know me, you'll know that simply writing a book is far too straightforward a task. Therefore, the narrative is interspersed with research, snippets of conversations, photos and a series of illustrated traditional Bedouin proverbs.
Bedouin Proverbs
Much of Bedouin culture centres around oral traditions. Historically, proverbs and stories were used to transmit essential wisdom and values to the next generation. However, with the rapid transformations in Bedouin society, which have turned the formerly nomadic tribes into a settled, urban society, many of these ancient proverbs have been lost.
Very few Bedouin people I met were familiar with such proverbs. However, thanks to the work of Clinton Bailey - reknowned scholar and expert on Bedouin culture - 1350 proverbs have been collected, transcribed and preserved for future generations (and other enthusaists like me).
Although some of the proverbs relate to very specific cultural practices, I was amazed at how many seem deeply relevant to humans anywhere, in any age. As Clinton Bailey himself says: "in understanding Bedouin culture... you understand human nature, how people adjust to living under very difficult circumstances."
Illustrations
So far I have illustrated around 20 of these proverbs, drawing my visual inspiration from the gritty textures and colours of the desert.
However, I also wanted to give the illustrations a contemporary feel to highlight the sayings' relevance to modern life. With this in mind, I chose the distressed style font 'Cracked'. By using irregular kerning and spacing I also tried to capture their down-to-earth, gritty, spoken nature.
I hope you enjoy this brief preview. If you'd like to see the full collection.....you'll have to wait for the book.
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