Liyathnah

The town of Wadi Musa near Petra is primarily populated by members of the Liyathnah tribe

Liyathnah (Arabic: اللياثنة) is a tribe settled in the town of Wadi Musa, Jordan,[1] close to the ruins of Petra.

Scholars have noted the tribe's possible Jewish origins and customs.[2][3] They are not Bedouin.[4] By the mid-20th century, their population in Petra and Wadi Musa was around three thousand, and they were known for their independent nature.[2] The tribe is known for its conflicts with the Bedul, a small Bedouin tribe who have historically inhabited the caves and tombs of Petra.[1][5][6]

Today, the Liyathnah tribe makes up the majority of Wadi Musa's population. Its members have been active in both government and private sectors, particularly dominating the local tourism industry following Petra's development as a major tourist destination, including operating hotels and managing the local horse industry.[4][5]

  1. ^ a b The Bedul Bedouin of Petra, Jordan: Traditions, Tourism and an Uncertain Future | Cultural Survival
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Bille, Mikkel (2019). Being Bedouin around Petra: life at a World Heritage Site in the twenty-first century. New York: Berghahn books. pp. 40, 65–66. ISBN 978-1-78920-120-8.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :42 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :03 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).