Page 129 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

II#—administration report of the muscat political
AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1892-93.

The year under report has been one of com para tire tranquillity for’Oman;
no coalition of tribes against the central
Politic*!.
authority took place, and the general peace
ras only disturbed by those inter-tribal quarrels and feuds from "which the
country is rarely, u ever, free.
Foremost amongst these in its effect on the trade of Muscat was the re­
opening of hostilities between the Ghafri tribes of the Semayil valley and the
Hinawi tribes of the Sharkiyeh. Rumours had been current since the
commencement of the year of an intended coalition of the Ghafri tribes with
a view to cutting off the communications of the Hinawi of the Sbarkiyeh with
Muscat and Mat rah, and it was known that the Haboos were by no means satis­
fied with the award made by His Highness last year. The peace then concluded
was not expected to last. No collision, however, occurred till the middle of
August when the Haboos raided oa the Rahbiycen and made off with seven hun­
dred goats; the latter tribe cot being able to obtain satisfaction, the Ghafri tribes
of the Semayil valley joined together and blocked the roads leading to the capital
against Hinawi caravans from the Sharkiyeh. Matters remained in this state
for some months, no actual fighting taking place; several attempts made by His
Highness to bring about an understanding failed, and trade with the Sharkiyeh
was at a standstill. In the meanwhile eight hundred of the Nidabiyeen, the Bah-
biyeen ami the Beni Jabir leaving the pas>es blocked marched on Masfa, burnt the
village and cut down two huudred date-palms belonging to the Tamimah in reta­
liation for a murder of a Nidabi wbo was answerable for the safe conduct of a
small party of the Peru Harth, Beni Amr, and Beni Hadram on their return
journey to the Sharkiyeh when they were attacked by the Tamimah. About the
middle of January His Highness came to the conclusion that he could no longer
with due regard to his own prestige hold aloof from the affairs of the Semayil
valley, and that more active measures than he had hitherto employed had become
necessary; he accordingly set out via Seeb to personally settle the differences
between the contending factions; he was certain of the co-operation of the Ghafris,
but it was questionable, whether the Shaikhs of Haboo3 would come in. After
some negotiations these Shaikhs met the Sultan, and peace was concluded on the
condition that the Haboos should pay their opponents $1,200 as compensation for
life and property. As this compensation was in reality to be defrayed by the
Sultan, the Haboos accepted the terms, and after the conclusion of the negotia­
tions returned to their homes, taking the opportunity on the way of looting 6ome
cattle from one of the tribes with whom they bad just made peace. A truce
for one year was also effected between the Yal Waheebah and the Ghafri tribes
°f the Semayil valley.
Turning to the Batinah we find tho Yal Saad, the strongest tribe in Oman
point of numbers but not remarkable for courage or warlike qualities, e9tab-
llsaing a blockade of the routes from the Dhahirah to the sea in consequence
0f Sl*tcessive raids made on them by the Ahl Dhahirah. This brought about a
c°a ^°Q the Yaakib, the Beni Kelban, and the Beni Shikeil, the principal
es of the Dhahirah against the Yal Saad. An advance on each side was
^ack, and in January the coalition of the Ahl Dhahirah broke up, their
fences with the Yaf Saad remaining unsettled. Repeated raids were
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