Page 507 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

BENIYAS. 463
to poverty through the loss of their cattle, took up their abode on the
shores of the Persian Gulf, on the line of coast between Dcbaye, and a
short distance from the island upon which the town of Aboothabee now
stands, but which at that lime, from its being supposed to be wholly
destitute of water, was uninhabited. It was, however, sometimes visited
by the JBeniyas fishermen, as a place well adapted for the prosecution
of their employment; but on these occasions they were under the
necessity of taking their supplies of water with them, One of these
individuals, however, having occasion to dig into the ground, was
delighted to find the pit fill with tolerable water; a discovery which
induced the visitors to take up their permanent residence upon the
island of Aboothabce.
The first establishment (which consisted of twenty houses) took place
about the year 1761. The intelligence of water
a., d. 1/61 to 1763.
having been found quickly spread through the
tribe, and before two years had elapsed the place had increased to four
hundred houses ; from which period to t)ie present additions to the
population and dwellings have been constantly making. The Shaikhs
of the tribe for many years continued to reside in the interior, paying
occasional visits to Aboothabee, • and receiving presents from the
inhabitants. According to one opinion, the original founder of the
Huboo Fulah family was Shaikh Yas bin Amer bin Ghes bin Nuzur.
(From the last the Prophet of Islam is said to be descended.) It is,
however, asserted by others that Shaikh Tahnoon’s ancestor was
Zhelal, a lineal descendant of Gharrern-ool-Zeighee. Nothing, how­
ever, appears to be known regarding his successors until after the
death of the great grandfather of Shaikh Shakboot, the father of the
present ruler of Aboothabee. This person left four sons, named Inhian,
Saadoon, Mahomed, and Sultan. These soon quarrelled with each other,
and the Beniyas Tribe, being consequently divided into four parties, a
sanguinary and protracted contest was carried on between them. On the
death of the three first, they were succeeded by their respective sons, Esa
bin Inhian, Zaed bin Mahomed, and Sultan bin Saadoon, during whose
lifetime the feud became still more virulent. Esa was succeeded by his
son Zheab, as the nominal head of the Beniyas. The new chief observing
that the inclinations of the bulk of the tribe were inclined to his uncle
Zaed bin Mahomed, availed himself of a favourable opportunity, and
put him to death, by which means he finally established his authority
over the whole of the Beniyas. He continued to govern undisturbed
for some time, until a grandson of Mahomed, named Huza bin Zaed,
who resided in Aboothabee, endeavoured to stir up the neighbouring-
tribes against him. At this time Shaikh Zheab resided in the interior,
paying only occasional visits to his capital.