BEDOUIN CAMP; DRUMMERS; HORSE RACE; CAMEL RACE.




Initials PW/VS/JB/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: HUNDREDS OF BEDOUIN ARABS LIVING IN ISRAEL ARE HOLDING THEIR OWN FESTIVAL TO COINCIDE WITH THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL.

WITH A TENTED VILLAGE NEAR BEERSHEBA, THEY ARE STAGING HORSE AND CAMEL RACES AND SHOWING VISITORS SOMETHING OF THEIR TRADITIONAL LIFE.

IN THEIR TENTS, THEY PREPARED THE STAPLE ARAB DIET OF COFFEE AND PITTA - A KIND OF BREAD.

DRUMMERS INTRODUCED THE MAIN EVENTS OF THE FESTIVAL - HORSE RACES AND RACES WITH CAMELS. FOR THE ARAB, THE CAMEL -- SHIP OF THE DESERT -- WAS HIS MEANS OF TRAVEL. IT WAS THE HORSE HE USED WHEN ON THE WARPATH.