Social work and traditional healing rituals among the Bedouin of the Negev, Israel

Bedouin rituals have religious and social significance to the individual client, his/her family, tribe and community. The article argues that social work practice ought to encourage the client to use such rituals within his/her natural system as a method of psychosocial coping and/or problem solving. Three Bedouin rituals are examined in relation to social work practice: Zuarah (saints' tomb visiting), Rahamah (memorial ritual for the dead) and Dhikr (invoking God's name).