Ethnic Groups Arab People There are MANY variations in types and lifestyles of Arab people. This information is a generalized summary from a number of sources.

History The Iraqi Arabs descended from a people group cluster called the Levant Arabs. The Levant Arabs originally settled all over the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to North Africa. This is the largest ethnic group in SW Asia (write this in)

History They are spread from Israel to Kuwait and as far east as Iran. "Levant" is a broad term that includes several groups of Arabs: the Iraqi, Jordanian, Palestinian, Arabic Jewish, Chaldean, and Syrian Arabs.

History Most scholars consider Arabs from the Arabian Peninsula to be the original Arabs. The Arabian culture was developed by tribes of nomads and villagers who lived in the Arabian Desert for many centuries. It was also from there that Arab migrations began, eventually leading to the expansion of the Arab world.

Religious Beliefs Most Arab people follow Islam As Muslims, they follow the teachings of the prophet Mohammed in their holy book, the Koran The majority are Sunni muslims

Arab Society The various tribes are ruled by sheiks Sheiks are Arab chiefs that are considered to be experts in Islam and in relating to the outside world

Arab Society To preserve their people, they are only allowed to marry those inside their own group. Inheritances are passed down through the males. In this system, men inherit more than women. Since children are considered a family's greatest asset, females are valued mostly for their ability to bear children. Women wear veils, or burka, both in town and at home.

Arab Society Although Arabs have settled in towns or villages, they have held on to their tribal affiliations. Their fortress-like villages can be easily defended. Each house has windows on all sides and is built facing the outside of the village. All goods and persons passing through town are strictly controlled.