Page 43 - Arabian Studies (V)

Lieutenant Wy burd's Journal of an Excursion into Arabia 33

They have likewise a weekly fair which is kept on Friday [sic] on an open
space without the Western Gates. At this fair you find cattle and accoutre­
ments. I have seen no less than 8,000 camels brought by the different tribes
for sale.

The Island of Bahrein
This Island is about 28 miles in length (from the Portegese for [t] to the
Rasel Bun [Ras al-Barr]) by 9 in breadth. It originally belonged to the
Persians and was taken from them by the Uttebee Arabs, who landed from
the opposite coast of Guterar.27
The part of the Island (on which the tower of Manama stands, would but
for a narrow Isthmus which connects it with Rufar, form a separate Island)
abounds in springs and date plantations and may on the whole be consi­
dered fertile, although the extent of its fertility does not direct a sufficient
quantity of grain being raised adequate to the consumption of its inhabi­
tants. The larger portion of the Island (on which is situated Rufa the
residence of the Khalcefa Ben Sulmaun) is sterile and desert, and the soil
which lays higher than that in the vicinity of Manama is stoney, and often
running into low hills of the primative formation abounding in the Ghazelle
or hill antelope.
The Island of Bahrein contains several towns and villages the principal of
which is Manama a place of considerable size, and population, though the
frequent visits of the Cholera Morbus within the last 5 or six years has
tended greatly to decrease the latter. Its commerce is notwithstanding in a
flourishing condition and its Bazars are well supplied with the commodities
of India and Persia. I was informed that 36 vessels out of Manama visited
India annually, 20 of which were Bughlars of from 100 to 200 Tons
burthen.
The principal source to which the Arabs attribute the flourishing state of
Bahrein is the productiveness of the Annual Pearl Fishery which is said to
yeild 300,000 Dollars; the pearls arc principally purchased by the Hindoo
and Bagdad Merchants and according to their shape, size and color are
either sent to India or Asia Minor. The ratio of increase in the prices of
these ornaments is immense commencing from the Seed Pearl and rising to
that weighing a drachm and a half, which is the highest weight that pearls
have been known to attain; in a conversation with some of the Divers they
told me that the average gain in a prosperous season was about 20 Tomauns
each Diver.
Moharrag, a small Island and town contiguous to Manama in size, but
does not possess its commercial advantages. At the northern extremity of
this Island is situated Arab, a large village surrounded by date plantations.
It is the patrimony of Abdulla Ben Ahmed Cousin to Khaleefa Ben Sulman
the chief of Bahrein.
The jealousy with which the Bahrein Sheiks view the Imaum of Muscat
since his alliance by marriage with the Court of Sherauz has induced them
to enter into a treaty with the head of the Wahabee confederacy to whom
they pay an annual tribute or Zekant.