Page 395 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

356 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

CHAPTER XXII.

Origin of Bedowin Government—Authority of the Patriarchs—
Bedowin Warfare — Invasion of Aulius Gallus — Defeat of
Persians, Turks, and Egyptians—Policy of Mohammed 'AU—
Causes of the tranquillity of Oman—Power of life and death—
Anecdote—Attachment to their Chiefs—Contrast between the
Arabs of the Town and of the Desert—Notice of various Tribes
—Independence of each othei— Transfer of power—Price of
blood—The Imam's Government—Court—Titles.

It would be foreign to my present design

were I to attempt to discuss in detail the
origin and general history of the Bedowin

government, the cause of its long continuance,
or the circumstances which have induced the

surplus population to migrate and carry but
a portion of its elements to other parts. A

brief abstract will nevertheless be necessary,
in order to exhibit the political and physical
relation of the two classes, which, as scattered

pastoral tribes, or an agricultural and com­

mercial people, inhabit the province of Oman,