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In
Arabic, the word fuqara means literally poor people. Among
Bedouins it signifies in addition, a shaman or a person
endowed with supernatural powers, somewhat like the Indian
Fakirs. Consequently, their arbitration is sought in tribal
disputes, and they are believed to possess healing powers by
the use of incense and herbs. The Fuqara constitute a branch
of the Bedoul, but other tribes also have their Fuqara who are
not necessarily related to the Bedoul.
The Fuqara, Mawasa, and Jamadat are closely related, but they
come from different roots. The Fuqara are believed to have
originated in Hijaz, from where they came to Mada'en Saleh
(where a community still exists) , Aqaba, Humeima, and Petra,
where they mingled with the Mawasa and Jamadat and came to be
considered one family. Nevertheless, they only marry among
themselves.
In view of their distinguished status among the Bedouls, the
Fuqara are custodians of the shrine where Aaron is buried.
This shrine used to be visited by all the people of Wadi Mousa
wearing their best clothes as if for a wedding in November of
each year. There they would slaughter sheep as sacrifices and
cook them in huge cauldrons that could accommodate about ten
sheep each. It is said that there are eleven or twelve of
these cauldrons, which are the property of the custodians of
the shrine. After the feast, the Bedouins used to have horse
races until evening, then they would spend the night by the
shrine. The following day they would cut a pieces of the cloth
covering the grave of Aaron and wear it in their head-gear to
gain his blessing.
One member of the Fuqara, whose name came to be remembered in
history is Sheikh Abou Zeitoun, wanted to prevent Burckhardt
from entering Petra. But Burckhardt had the permission of Ibn
Rashid, the principal Sheikh of the Huweitat, and after
intense negotiations, the Huweitat escorted the expedition
into Petra, paying no heed to the threats of violence of Abou
Zeitoun. To this day, the Bedouls pride themselves that Sheikh
Abou Zeitoun had the courage to defy the Huweitat, but they
admit that the Swiss visitor "contrived by unknown means
to sneak into Petra."
Part of the skills of the Fuqara is to prepare for the Bedouls
talismans in the form of bracelets made of cloves, and
necklaces made of Syrian Rue, which is central to their
mythology. |
