Page 282 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

240 MUSK AT.

XI11-—1,1 Oman the religion is Maliomcdan, the language Arabic,
Such a thing as caste, as known in India, does
Religion, Language,
Tribes, and Castes. not exist amongst the Arabs. The tribes in
Oman are various. In the African territories of
the Imaum but little is known of the tribes; they are almost all
pagans,
except those immediately on the Coast, the Sawhcelies, who are many
of them Mahomedans, yet Africans.
The principal tribes in Oman arc, cast and south of Muskat, towards
the Hadhval Maul,—the Hurth, 2,000, the Chiefs Shaikhs Nassir bin
Ali, and Salah bin Ali; the Massakeeah, 4,000, Chief Shaikh Saeed
bin Ali al Mogeawee ; the Beni Boo Hassan, 1,500 to 2,000, principal
Shaikh Mahomed bin Massellim ; the Hajrieen, 1,000, Chief Shaikh
Mahomed bin Aamr; the Habbcas, 700, head Shaikh Aamr bin Rashid ;
the Beni Rawaheeyah, 500, Chief Shaikh I know not; the Beni
Riam, 3,000 to 3,500, living in or about the Jibbae Kudhera (the Green
Mountains), six days’ distance from Muskat;—are on good terms with
the Imaum, but say they have never been in subjection to any one.
There are numerous branch tribes connected with these people : they
do not mix much with the adjacent tribes, are a violent and unruly
people, given to intoxication, and other vices not usual amongst Arabs.
Their country produces great quantities of fine fruits,—grapes* of most
excellent quality; peaches; vegetables; violets and roses in pro­
fusion. These mountains are the Neilgherries of Arabia, but the people
dislike strangers coming amongst them. The Beni YVaheeba, 1,200,
Chief Shaikh Nassir bin Ali bin Kadim. This is a fine tribe, and very
trustworthy. The Hishm, 700, Shaikh Nasslr bin Kadim ; the Beni
Boo Ali, 3,000 to 3,500, including those on the coast, the Chief Shaikh
Mahomed bin Ali; the Jeneba, living between Masseera and Soor,
said to be 10,000, the Chiefs Shaikhs Saeed bin Ali and Humood,
This tribe is much divided, and they are at variance amongst them­
selves. The Beni Jaabe between Thewee and Khairat, number not
well known (many of them living with other tribes), Chief Shaikh
Mahomed bin Serhan. Many of this tribe stretch as far into the in-
terior as the "Wadi Samail. In the Wadi Aak live the small tribes
called the Indabee, the Siabee, and the Rebbewee. These are a pastoral
numerous.
people, supposed to be very ancient tribes, formerly very
They are quiet and good-natured, and very different in features and
appearance from any other Arabs I have seen in Oman and although
they speak the Arabic, they have a language of their own, in which are
y Hebrew words. Some time ago their Shaikh was Saeed Mashun.
man
They say they are about 1,000 souls.
* They have ripe grapes for eight months in the year, crop after crop, with which they
wine and distilled liquors; but they do not sell them. .