New Mohamed bin Zayed University publication chronicles family life in Abu Dhabi’s Bedouin society
The Family in the Bedouin Society of Abu Dhabi, issued by Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities and Education Interface, documents desert upbringing, social values and the voices that shaped generations.
A documentary portrait of family and survival
Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities and Education Interface has published The Family in the Bedouin Society of Abu Dhabi, a documentary and cultural study that examines the rhythms of family and social life in the Abu Dhabi desert. The work foregrounds the family’s central role in raising children, transmitting authentic values and safeguarding national identity amid conditions defined by simplicity and limited resources.
Customs of nurture: cooperation, duty and hospitality
The book explores the methods of upbringing practised by Bedouin families: systems founded on cooperation and mutual support, a keen sense of responsibility, respect for elders and an ethic of hospitality. It also traces how families inculcated patience, courage and generosity, and fostered a profound sense of belonging to the land and the nation. The study underlines the complementary roles of men and women in sustaining the household and preparing successive generations to meet life’s challenges.
Voices that give history a human face
Built on oral documentation and first‑hand testimony, the publication places particular weight on the account of Sheikha Subha bint Mohammed Al Khaili. Having experienced life in the Abu Dhabi desert before and after the formation of the Union, her testimony lends the book important historical and human value and contributes to a realistic portrayal of everyday life and social relations at the time.
Profiles of custodians of tradition
The study presents Emirati figures who embodied Bedouin values and the authenticity of their communities, reviewing the lives, positions and family and social roles of Hamouda bin Ali bin Hamouda Al Dhaheri, Hamad bin Suhail Al Khubaili, Moza bint Mohammed Balmarshoud and Adhija bint Saif bin Zaal Al Mashghouni. These portrayals cast them as representatives of a generation that helped nurture individuals and maintain the cohesion of society.
Heritage as a resource for contemporary challenges
Rather than confining itself to the past, the book connects Bedouin family values with the needs of Emirati families today. It emphasises the importance of drawing on the UAE’s social and educational heritage to address contemporary challenges, strengthen communication between generations and instil national identity in children, offering a constructive conversation between memory and modernity.
Preserving national memory for future generations
The publication is positioned as a valuable addition to the Emirati library. Its testimonies and human experiences contribute to preserving national memory and documenting significant aspects of the history of family and society in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with the intent of conveying them faithfully to future generations.
An author’s reflection
To mark the book’s publication, an interview with its author explores the motivations behind the work, the principal issues and personalities it addresses, and the message the author seeks to convey through this documentary endeavour.