Old Wusum and New Rumuz: a Note on the Visualisation of the Identity of the Sinai Bedouins

Abstract

The paper investigates the visualisation of Bedouin tribal identity over time. The first part provides a detailed account of the phenomenon of wasm in the Arabian Peninsula within Bedouin culture. For centuries, wasm has served as a distinguishing sign among the Bedouins, and has been used mainly for camel and cattle branding, but also in rock art, carpet weaving, tattooing, etc. The second part is an attempt to lay the foundations for future research into the new phenomenon of tribal codes consisting of Arabic numerals and Latin letters. These codes are said to have gained popularity in Saudi Arabia in the early 21st century and subsequently spread to neighbouring regions. While these codes have an obscure origin and may not have a direct connection to wasm, they are nevertheless intertwined with it in discussions of the nature and functions of such symbols. The paper does not provide a comprehensive account of this subject, which would require more extensive fieldwork. Instead, it offers a perspective on how these codes are used in South Sinai as a means of asserting the visibility and presence of the Bedouin community among Egyptians and foreign lifestyle migrants.