Ababdeh, Or Ababdie, tribes of N. E. Africa, tributary to Egypt, under the jurisdiction of a resident sheik, spread over the N. part of the desert between the Nile and the Red Sea, from Kenneh to Asswan and Dera, and, according to Belzoni, as far as Suez. They are divided into three principal tribes - the Fokara, Ashabat, and Melaykab - and number about 120,000. Their armed force consists of about 20,000 men. They are often erroneously confounded with the Bedouin Arabs, but differ from them in appearance, habits, and language. Some of them are agriculturists, but they lead generally a nomadic life, and act as guides to the Sennaar caravans, which start from Daraweh, 40 m. N. of Asswan. They have few horses, but many camels and dromedaries, the latter being especially celebrated in the East. They fight mounted on camels, naked to the waist. Burckhardt, in his "Travels in Nubia," regards them as of Arab stock, but is not supported in this view by other authorities. However, they have intermarried with Arabs, and adopted their religion. To the Romans they are believed to have been known under the name of Blemyes; but after the Arab conquest of Egypt they appear under the collective name of Bega, as traders on the Red sea.

Nearly on a line with Asswan, in the Ababdeh territory, are the ruins of Berenice.