Page 209 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883

residency and MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1880-81. 4i
SoMr. Tlic Na'eem are distracted ami disunited by internal quarrels,
and it is doubtful whether their Shaikh, Mohammed-Ali-bin-IInmood,
could command more than 500 fighting meu, though the wholo tribe
could probably muster 4,000. There are several smaller tribes in
clicucy to the Na'eem.
Beni Rasib.
This clan inhabits Ja'alin, where it possesses one village, El-Wiifee,
which lies in a fertile valley, producing dates and other fruits, corn, &c. !
in abundance. Being Ghalfirecs they are in league with the Beui-boo 'Alt
and the Ilishm, and intermarry with these tribes, but more rarely with
the latter than the former. Their founder was 'Abdullah-bin-Wahib, El-
Rusibec, who was a companion of 'Ali-bin-'Ali Talib, and they were the
first tribe in ’Om;m to accept the doctrines of the Ibfullriych sect,
which is now the prevailing religion in the country. They have since
become bigoted Wahabees, and the conversion has been bitterly resented
by the other 'Omanis, who now detest the Beni Rdsib with an intensity
exceeding their former respect and affection for them.
Septs. Shaikhs.
Awlad Fans. Saleh-bin-Yaair.
El-Merazikeh. Rasid-bid-Hamad.
Awl ad Rabee'a. Khameea-bin-'Ali.

Beni Riyam.
Tlie Beni Riyain, though now Ghaffirces, are of Himyaritic descent,
and are said to have been among the earliest immigrants into 'Omin.
They occupy the fertile valleys of Jcbel Akhdar in the centre of 'Oman,
and their chief towns are Shereyzi, Seek, Nezwa, and Zikki. The
elevation of Jebel Akhdar does not admit of the production of the date
tree, but most of the European fruits thrive there luxuriantly, and it is
in the cultivation of these fruits that the Beni Riyim are principally
engaged. The Beni Riyain appear to keep aloof from the other Arabs,
and do not bear a pleasant reputation. Their eponymus is Riam-bin-
Nahkarn-bin-Tobba-bin-Zaid, King of Haradan, the builder of the idol
temple on Jebel Atwa in Yemen—a famous resort of pilgrims before
the. Islam. Their Teraeemeh is Nisir-bin-Sulimin-bin-Nisir, who has
unlimited control over bis people.

Beni RowXhbh.
Beni Rowiheb are another example of a Ma'addic tribe, being
included in the ranks of the Yemenite or Hiniwi faction. They claim
descent from the great Abs tribe, and still maintain the feud begun
many centuries ago by their ancestors against the Dhobiyin or Beni
Jabir. They inhabit the fertile valley called after their own name, which
extends from Zikki to Serai H, and contains about thirty villages. They
are a warlike tribe, and have ever been uncompromising opponents of
Seyyid Toorkce. They have no general Temceineh, but each sept has
its own Shaikh; one of the strongest of the Shaikhs being Mobammed-
r