Final answer:
Nomadic pastoralists roamed the desert following grazing patterns for their herds, while settled a. tribes lived in towns near oases and engaged in agriculture and trade. Nomadic groups had clan-based social structures and were mobile due to their reliance on herding, while settled groups had more stationary and structured communities. Today, many Bedouin have adopted settled lifestyles while still valuing their nomadic heritage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key differences between the settled tribes and the nomadic pastoralists of Arabia include their lifestyles and economic activities. a. Settled tribes typically lived in towns near oases where they could engage in agriculture, harvesting dates, and trading resources like salt, and they usually had a more sedentary lifestyle.
In contrast, nomadic pastoralists roamed the desert in search of grazing land for their livestock, particularly in harsh seasons when resources at oases were scarce. This mobile lifestyle, known as nomadism, was necessitated by their dependence on herding animals such as sheep, goats, camels, and cattle. They lived in smaller, movable camps comprising family tents that moved to find fresh pastures, often in seasonal cycles.
Another key aspect that differentiates these groups is their sociopolitical structure. Nomadic tribes like the Bedouin were organized into clans with tight familial bonds, often led by patriarchal chieftains, and their way of life involved a degree of skepticism towards outsiders and occasional conflict with other tribes.
In contrast, the settled groups had more established and stationary communities with different social dynamics. Over time, due to various pressures including government regulations, many Bedouin have transitioned to settled lives, although some still reflect nostalgically on their nomadic heritage.