Could you survive as a Bedouin? Fascinating photos emerge of Bedouin life over a century ago

Bedouins still traverse the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East.

The regions of North Africa and the Middle East are warm to hot, and there is little rain. Despite the conditions that would discourage most people from visiting, the Bedouin have flourished in this region for centuries.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - The Bedouin are traveling merchants who have lived in North Africa and the Middle East for centuries. There are about 21 million people who identify as Bedouin scattered across 20 countries.

The Bedouin live today much as they have for hundreds of years. They were first documented in the 14th century by Arab explorer Ibn Battuta, who said the Egyptians were using them to guard their borders.

They have traded their way across the Middle East, trafficking the treasures of India and the Middle East, as well as slaves. They raise animals, mostly for their own use, and rely on camels, horses and goats for sustenance and transportation.

They have a unique culture and customs, adapted to the harsh desert life.

A century ago, unknown photographers took pictures of the Bedouin. From those images, we gather that Bedouin life has changed little from back then.