Bedouin culture receives international acclaim

Jan 10, 2005

AMMAN (JT) - Bedouin hospitality was celebrated and honoured as a cultural practice that contributes in a sustainable manner to improving the quality of life. The celebration, held under the patronage of HRH Princess Basma, marked the inscription of bedouin hospitality on the 2004 Harmony List, designed by UNESCO's International Fund for the Promotion of Culture (IFPC) in cooperation with I.DE.A.M, Integral Development Asset Management. The Harmony List seeks to highlight the best traditional or innovative cultural practices from across the world that contribute to an improved quality of life. Princess Basma said bedouin hospitality has played a significant role in bringing people together and contributed to preserving traditions and social ties, held as a source of pride by all Jordanians. "We in Jordan have reason to be proud of our heritage. Our country stands out like a beacon for the way that different communities live together in harmony," the Princess added. Referring to the IFPC- I.DE.A.M collaboration, the Princess said: "It is particularly gratifying to note this partnership - which constitutes a model for collaboration with the world of business on the important objectives of international business here in Jordan, especially those involved with tourism and hospitality - to communicate the value of bedouin hospitality and its contribution to cultural diversity in the wider world." Speaking at the ceremony, I.DE.A.M President Xavier de Bayser said the criteria for selection include respect for the environment, capacity to provide solutions to contemporary problems, maintenance of harmony between populations and their lifestyle, and the potential for transfer, adaptation and reproduction of the practice in question. "Bedouin hospitality" and Canada's Bush School were chosen from the 10 best as the first two inscriptions on the list. Bedouin hospitality, incarnated by the coffee ceremony, is a symbol of conviviality, generosity and meeting with others in a courteous, respectful and peaceful atmosphere. According to a joint statement by IFPC and I.DE.A.M, 10 cultural practices are pre-selected each year, and at least one is inscribed on the Harmony List. The winner was then invited to apply for IFPC funding towards a cultural development project. During the ceremony, a diploma was presented by Milagros del Corral, deputy assistant director general for culture and director of IFPC, to Amneh Al Arameen, a representative of the bedouin community and an active member of the Women's Committee at the Princess Basma Community Development Centre in Madaba. Enjoying a large degree of autonomy, the IFPC was created in 1974 with the goal of helping creators and cultural entrepreneurs find additional funds. I.DE.A.M is an asset management company of the Credit Agricole Group dedicated to Socially Responsible Investment (SRI), favouring companies that demonstrate good social, societal and environmental practices. Present at the ceremony were Princess Wijdan, a member of the IFPC administrative council, Minister of Education Khalid Touqan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Resarch Issam Zabalawi and representatives of diplomatic missions in the Kingdom. The celebration, held at the University of Jordan, concluded in front of a bedouin goat-hair tent, where guests drank unsweetened coffee and listened to traditional songs.