Page 48 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

TRAVELS IN OMaN. 9

also the general appellation of the tribe

in which both branches are included. The
present sovereign of Om&n, however, is not

styled Imam by the Arabs. In order to
attain this title it is necessary, at the period
of his election, that he should possess suffi­

cient theological attainments to preach be­

fore the assembled chiefs, by whom he is
chosen, and their followers; and also that he

should not embark on board ships. The
latter, as in the case of Saaf, who took pos­

session of the ports on the African coast and
their dependencies, is, after installation, over­

looked ; but the former they consider so in­
dispensably binding that Sayyid S’aid, who

either does not possess the necessary attain­
ments, or fancies so, has dispensed with the

ceremony altogether, and, in consequence,
receives from his subjects the title of Sayyid,

or prince, only.
Reserving for a future section the details

connected with the government, which apply
generally to the greater portion of the towns

in Om4n, I shall first give an account of
Maskat, and then proceed at once to the

narrative of my travels. Various notices of