This paper is an overview of recent changes in the lifestyle, economy and prospects for Saudi Arabia’s traditional pastoralists, the Bedouin. Changes are reflected in grazing strategies, labour arrangements, consumption patterns and dependence on motorized transport. The use and importance of barley to the Bedouin culture is reviewed.

Key Points

1. Although most of the rangelands in Saudi Arabia are located in remote areas and are known for their harsh environment and scarce resources, the rangelands play an important part in the national economy.

2. Many of the traditional Bedouin have now settled, but a large number pursue a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle. This latter group is the largest user of rangelands and the people are best adapted to live there.

3. Changes in lifestyle, mobility and dependence on motorized transport have affected the way people use the rangelands. In the past, every tribe had its own territory for grazing. In dry times, that particular tribe could move to the territory of another tribe provided that certain conditions were met. Some of these traditional "rules" have been abandoned as pastoralists have come to depend on cheap barley as an alternative to long-distance movements in times of drought.