The Bedouin of Petra

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• published: 24 Sep 2014
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Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Archaeologists say that the ancient city of Petra dates back to the third century BC. The famous site in the south of Jordan, which was once occupied by the Romans, is today one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. Al B'doul, a Bedouin tribe that used to live in Petra, claim to be descended from the Nabataeans who occupied this land at the end of the Roman Empire. They lived among the tombs and caves for over 170 years. But after Petra became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the mid-1980s, many B'doul were forced to abandon their semi-nomadic life for the nearby, purpose-built settlement of Umm Sayhoun, where they still live today. The B'doul go to Petra every day to act as tour guides and provide local colour - from music and entertainment to camel and donkey rides. They feel a strong attachment to the site, and some still cling to Bedouin life in the ancient valley. In this Al Jazeera Documentary film shot in Petra, we explore the history, traditions and daily lives of the B'doul, particularly the challenges they face as Bedouins in a tourism centre in present-day Jordan. At Al Jazeera English, we focus on people and events that affect people's lives. We bring topics to light that often go under-reported, listening to all sides of the story and giving a 'voice to the voiceless.' Reaching more than 270 million households in over 140 countries across the globe, our viewers trust Al Jazeera English to keep them informed, inspired, and entertained. Our impartial, fact-based reporting wins worldwide praise and respect. It is our unique brand of journalism that the world has come to rely on. We are reshaping global media and constantly working to strengthen our reputation as one of the world's most respected news and current affairs channels. Social Media links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Instagram: https://instagram.com/aljazeera/?ref=... Twitter: https://twitter.com/ajenglish Website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ google+: https://plus.google.com/+aljazeera/posts