Although the tribes have different origins, most of their ancestors came from Arabia. Unfortunately, most Kababish cannot read or write. Like other nomadic Arab tribes, the Kababish wander the desert with their herds, searching for vegetation that grows after the rare desert thunderstorms. They have a complex system of migration, in which different parts of the family move to different places during certain times of the year. The Kababish raise all types of livestock, which are traded for grain and other essentials such as salt, tea, sugar, cloth, dates, seasoning, and metal goods.
Camels are the most important of their animals.
Because the Kababish are a nomadic people, they live in dikkas , or camps. Their homes are tents made with camel hair roofs and cotton sides. Many of the tents are decorated inside with leather and wool ornaments. The basic item of furniture is a double bed made of palm ribs bound with strips of leather. The bed rests on pegs a foot above the ground.