The Rashaida (), also known as Bani Rasheed, are a Bedouin ethnic group inhabiting the coastal plain of the Red Sea stretching from the Sudanese city of Port Sudan to the Eritrean city of Massawa. They are the descendants of Arab tribes people from Hejaz, and Najd descending from the Banu Abs tribe, who fled the Arabian peninsula in 1846 as the Saudis rose to power. They are mostly nomadic and constitute 187,500 people in Eritrea and 68,000 people in Sudan, mainly in the eastern part around Kassala.

History

The Rashaida descended from Arabic-speaking Bedouins who migrated from coastal towns in the Hejaz region of present-day Saudi Arabia, and sailed across the Red Sea in the late 1860s. They settled in what the Egyptian administration at the time referred to as the Suakin and Massawa governorates.

The boundary between these provinces roughly aligned with the present-day Sudanese–Eritrean border. However, from 1866 to 1895, this was a loosely controlled frontier zone that the Rashaida crossed freely. Even today, some Rashaida move between Sudan and Eritrea whenever they need to escape political or economic pressures in either country.

Significant numbers of Rashaida crossed the border in 1885 to flee the Mahdists in Sudan, in 1892 to evade Italian tax collectors in Italian Eritrea, in 1935 to prevent the Italian seizure of their livestock in Eritrea, and in the late 1990s to avoid clashes in eastern Sudan between the Sudanese Army and the National Democratic Alliance, a Sudanese opposition group based in Eritrea.

They have been mostly nomadic and as of 2005 constituted 187,500 people in Eritrea and 168,000 people in Sudan, mainly in the eastern part around Kassala and to the Northern Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. Despite their size, they reportedly wield great influence as the organizers and business leaders who manage much of the black-market activity supporting Eritrea's economy.

Culture

thumb|Rashaida silver jewelry, [[Sudan Ethnographic Museum 2022]]

Clothing

The most important part of the wardrobe for the women is their veil; which they begin wearing around the age of five.<blockquote>The women explain their observance of the veil in terms of beauty, not the Islamic religion. "We feel you are more beautiful when you wear a veil," Mrs. Hamida said. "When we are 5 years old we ask our mothers if we can be veiled so we can be like them." These veils cover their faces at all times, even when they eat unless there is no male present except for their husband as no other male will ever see their face. Unlike a number of other Arab/Muslim cultures, the women are able to keep part of their hair uncovered. The Rashaida women are also said to be typically adorned in silver jewellery which the women craft themselves and often sell at local markets. The rest of their outfits are also said to be elaborate with long skirts and bright colours; being particularly famous for their black-and-red geometrically patterned dresses. When they first migrated to Eritrea, they were said to be wearing these traditional red ankle-length skirts that were adorned with bright yellow and green patterns.

The men traditionally wear a thawb and a white turban but sometimes they can be seen wearing colourful turbans. If the groom accepts the marriage, he must pay a dowry which is usually in the form of cash and camels.

The traditional wedding of the Rashaida group involves a seven-day event involving a number of festivities like drumming, dancing and camel racing. but it is very common to see them mixing with the highlanders.

Within the Rashaida group, there are said to be two different 'races'. Those that have lighter skin are referred to as "Red" while the freed slaves who were raised by the Rashaida are referred to as the "Black", with the term 'muwalladin' or 'Muwallad' also often being used to label them. It is an important factor in social relations as it is part of the foundation for a good reputation. These Arab hospitality practices can also be seen in the traditional practices of the Rashaida people. When guests are entertained in their homes, they are greeted, fed and entertained according to a set of established rules. The total number of Rashaida living in Sudan is unclear but it is estimated to be around forty thousand people. From the early 2000s, many Rashaida people have become more or less settled in the Lower Atbara area of the region. Here, they mostly live in tents or newly constructed huts or adobe houses.

Pastoralism

Camel breeding is one of the primary sources of work for the Rashaida people, with the group often living a fully nomadic life as pastoralists. The Rashaida follow a seasonal pattern of migration, with several seasons and consequent living patterns occurring throughout the year. Beginning in mid-July they begin a pattern of migration with their camel herd to follow the rain showers. From the beginning of August to the end of September, there is less movement, and they leave their camels to graze near their campsites, turning their focus to their livestock and agriculture practices. The next season, 'Ad Darat' has more of a focus on finding pasture for the livestock as conditions start to get drier. Milk supplies also start to dwindle, so there is a need to harvest grain crops. The final season is the dry season, in which migration stops and they set up camps near reliable sources of water.

Human and weapon smuggling

Eritrea is a country with a one-party system which has been known for its lack of protection of civil freedoms with human rights violations being committed by the government. It is also one of the least developed countries in the world, making the living conditions poor. Due to these circumstances, thousands of Eritreans have been fleeing the country and seeking asylum in east Sudan, or using it as a passage to other countries. As of 2013 East Sudan itself hosted around 100,000 refugees. The high influx of refugees led to criminal activity along the Eritrean-Sudanese border that involved the abduction and extortion of these refugees.

References

  • Rashaida People