SURVIVAL QUIZ PART 3

[Stuart]

Ok no one got the answer to part two so work extra hard on this one, this time its in three parts:

When the bedu nomads have filled their guerba's they drop two small objects into it, What is a Guerba? What do they traditonally put into it after they have filled it? and why?

 

[JimFSC]

I believe you are referring to a goat skin used for storing fresh water. Not too sure what goes in it yet but I think they normally hang it outside their shelters at night.
Am I close? Jim.

 

[stuart f]

Well i think a GUERBA is a BEDU football and they drop a couple of pebbles inside so when playing at night they know where the ball is, cos they can hear it. Being nomads they are never in the same place for long so theres never any time to put up flood lights to see by, hence the pebbles.

ba is the Scottish for ball.

SORRY i,ll go sit in the corner again.

i really do know the answer but i,m not letting on HONEST :0:

cheers stuart f.

 

[Keith_Beef]

Hmm... Semitic languages often seem to form a plural by the suffix "in" or "im". This leads me to think that "bedu" is the singular of "beduin", the famous nomads of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and those places out there, who used to race their camels against T.E. Laurence's Brough Superior.

Now, a guerba... In Algeria and Mauritania this seems to be a goatskin, tanned using acacia bark, for carrying water .he bedu might drop something into it to help keep the water fresh... Maybe a piece of silver, or gold, and a little pinch of salt?




Then again, there is always this:
http://www.northcott99.freeserve.co.uk/guerba/hair.jpg



Keith.

 

[Stuart]

well done Keith!!!

First part absolutely correct a gurerba is a goatskin water bag used by the bedouin of Saudi Arabia and other nomadic peoples all over the world.

Could you be more specific about what they drop in and exactly why?

 

[JimFSC]

Following on from last time I would suggest that perhaps they place some kind of leaf or stone in it - this may create a surface allowing gas exchange and therefore enhance the waters flavour....er.. ..or something like that...then again maybe not.. :roll: ..possibly a piece of wood eh? :-?

Mind you, I like the football idea- sounds fun....anyone tried midnight killer frisbee? You can now get these lovely light strings and even electric flashing frisbees..............er...- top stuff anyhow! :super:

Jim.

 

[the naughty boy]

a couple of aspirin?
seriously though i think it would be a small bit of salt and sugar.you can tell i havent the first clue cant you :?:

 

[Keith_Beef]

well done Keith!!!

First part absolutely correct a gurerba is a goatskin water bag used by the bedouin of Saudi Arabia and other nomadic peoples all over the world.

Could you be more specific about what they drop in and exactly why?

I seem to remember that a small piece of silver keeps the water fresh. I thought it was simple superstition, but it seems that silver ions and copper ions have an antibacterial effect, that could keep water fresh.

So, maybe the bedu drops a copper coin and a silver coin into his guerba.


Keith.

 

[Stuart]

sorry for the late reply i've been busy at the outdoors show

well done keith!!!! your are correct the object in question is infact a silver coin which prevents bacteria from growing in the water keeping it fresh

the coin i have seen most often used is the maria teresa thaler which is a large silver coin

I'll need a few days to recover from the show and i'll think of another question