Final answer:
In Bedouin pastoralist societies like the Azawagh Arabs, there is a gender-based division of labor. Azawagh men are responsible for larger animals and social interactions, while Azawagh women handle small livestock, weaving for tents, and manage the internal affairs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Duties of Azawagh Men and Women in Relation to the Tent
In the context of the Bedouin pastoralist societies, such as the Azawagh Arabs, there is a clear division of labor when it comes to the responsibilities and duties related to the tent, which is their main abode. Bedouin tents are highly functional for their nomadic lifestyle, designed to be easily constructed, deconstructed, and transported, aligning with their frequent movement to find fresh pastures for their herds.
The division of labor is mainly determined by gender and the types of animals herded by the group. For example, when the community herds both large and small animals, Azawagh men take responsibility for the larger animals like camels and cattle. This includes tasks related to setting up and maintaining the portion of the tent that is designated for men, which is commonly used for entertaining guests and relatives, signifying their role in the external affairs and social interactions of the group.
Azawagh women, on the other hand, are typically responsible for herding, feeding, and milking smaller animals, such as goats and sheep. They also spin wool into yarn and then weave it to create the material for the tents. The women's roles are crucial within the private sphere of the tent, particularly managing the areas designated as the kitchen and storeroom, and ensuring the well-being of the family through their daily tasks.
Essentially, while men are associated more with external social functions and the care of large animals, women's duties are intricate to the internal management of the tent and the care of small livestock, reflecting the Bedouin pastoralist's sexual division of labor.