LIVING ON THE MARGINS - LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES OF BEDOUIN HERD-OWNERS IN THE NORTHERN NEGEV, ISRAEL

Information collected on herding practices and economic activities of nine Bedouin households is used to define livelihood strategies and ex amine their economic viability. Large variations found in herding prac tices and other means of subsistence are a response to external polici es and constraints which limit herding space and sources of income. Di fferential access to resources and different sociocultural norms are i mportant factors. The identification and analysis of different livelih ood strategies is a useful point of departure for discussing the devel opment of Bedouin herding in the Negev and for formulating policy that is more effective and empathetic.