The Hedareb, also known as T'badwe, live in a wide arc stretching from western barka across the north-western valleys of the arid, volcanic sahel region, where the liberation front had its fortified rear bases throughout much of the independence war. their ancestral roots are among the Nilotic Beja peoples, whose territory stretches from Eritrea across northeastern Sudan to southren Egypt and who have lived along the sea coast for thousands of years. their Muslim society is patrilineal.

Most Hedareb are semi-nomadic pastoralists. many travel over long distances in search of pasture for their animals, which can include large camel herds as well as gots and sheeep. The Hedareb are known as highly skilled camel drivers.