Bedouins of Petra

Petra is known around the world as an ancient city carved into sandstone. For the Bdoul Bedouins, whose families lived among its caves and valleys for generations, it is also a place of memory, belonging and livelihood.

In the 1980s, most Bdoul families were relocated from Petra to the nearby village of Umm Sayhoun as efforts to preserve the archaeological site and develop tourism intensified. The move brought access to education and modern infrastructure, but also disrupted traditional livelihoods and longstanding ties to the land. Today, tourism provides an income for many families, while their relationship with Petra continues to evolve across generations.

Since 2025, I've returned to Petra several times, spending extended periods with the Bdoul community and building relationships that continue to shape this project.