Memorandum and Table on the Tribal Divisions of Oman by Major Edward Charles Ross, Political Agent at Muscat [‎2r] (3/14)

MEMORANDUM
ON
TRIBAL DIVISIONS IN THE PRINCIPALITY OF 'OMAN.
TO ACCOMPANY TABLE OF TRIBES.
The classification of tlie Arabian tribes or clans inhabiting c Oman into two
great divisions, cc Hinawi" and " GMfiri," is peculiar to that kingdom, and has
been adopted in comparatively recent times. The modern history of 4 Oman being
mainly the narrative of the contentions between these great rival factions, a
precise understanding of their mutual relations, and the origin of their differences,
is desirable.
With a view to a clear explanation of these points it is necessary to refer
back to the older and better known tribal classifications.
Arabian historians have divided all the tribes of Arabia into three primary
classes.
15^. El 'Arab el 'Arabeh, i.e., pure Arabs, those created speaking Arabic.
2nd. El 'Arab el Mota'arribeh, or genuine Arabs, those who acquired the
Arabic language.
El 'Arab el Mosta'ribeh, or the naturalized Arabs.
Of these three classes the first is considered to be lost or extinct, and there
remain the classes known to Europeans as genuine Arabs and naturalized Arabs.
The former consists of those descendants of Kahtan (or Joktan of Scrip
ture), many of whom settled in Yemen, and they are also termed Kahtanite or
Yemenite Arabs.
The naturalized Arabs are said to be descended from Ishmael, but do not
trace pedigree further back than 'Adnan.
This class is termed Ishmaelite, 'Adnanite or Ma'addite, and also Nizarite,
from ISTizar bin Ma'add.
The first Arab settlers in e Oman came from Yemen, and were Kahtanite.
Later immigrants arrived from the westward, and were mostly tribes of the
Ishmaelite branch.