Page 84 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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PEOVINCE OF OMAN.

The Province of Oman comprehends the south-easterly region of
Arabia, extending from Ras-ooi-Hud on the south, to Zobara (or to the
island of Shargah) on the north-eastern coast. It is divided into two
Principalities; the capital of the first is Rastag, and of the latter Seer
or Julfar. Muskat is the chief seaport of the former, and Ras-ool-
Ivhyma of the latter. It has been divided, also, from the earliest ages,
between two Arab tribes, one called Beni Yemen* or Beni Hinavi, and
the other Beni Nasirf or Beni Gafree. The Imaum of Muskat is the
head of the first, and possesses the line of coast from Cape Ras-ool-
Geete to Cape Musseldom ; and the Chief of the Joasmees of the other •
his territory, extending from Musseldom to Shargah, constituting the
Seer Principality.
The Hinavi tribe consists of the following families, the names of the
Chiefs in 1809 being given, viz :—
I.—The Imaum of Muskat, Syud Saiad.
II.—Azzan, the son of Gheifs, fixed at Sohar.
III. —Nunneed, the son of Ahmed, at Rastag.
IV. —Nunnecd, the brother of Ahmed, at Simoak.
V.—Nonneed bin Nasser, of Zaheera.
VI.—The Beni Gafree tribes, under Mahomed bin Nasser, excepting
the Joasmees, which are independent of Muskat.
Oman was originally peopled from Persia, and subject to that Govern­
ment. The first Arab tribe that settled in Oman was the Ool-
Yesdee, who, under Malik bin Fukkeem-ool-Yesdee, emigrated from
Nujd. On entering Oman with his followers, they halted at Jah,
and preferred a request to Meerzeban, the Persian commander of the
province, for a tract of country on which they might settle, which being
refused, a contest ensued, in which Meerzeban was killed, the Persians
were defeated, and driven out of Oman. Malik conquered the country,
and being joined by other tribes from Nujd, peopled it with Arabs,
and embraced Mahomedanism in the time of the Prophet.
Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet, led a force into Oman fiom
Yemen, and, having established an intercourse with the Nujd tribe.,
returned. This introduction of the Yemends into the province forme

* So named from being on the right hand side of the Caaba,
t Or inhabitants of Nujd, as being on the left.

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