'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎71] (86/1050)

ADEN 71
HtJMAIDl, BASUS, JXJBAIEI, HUZAIMl—
Are all small clans inhabiting the north-east comer near the Madraja and adjoin-
inw the Juhaili mountains, but now actually abutting on the Turkish districts. It is
difficult to imagine how these people live as there is, to all practical purposes, no water
in the rocky wastes they inhabit. The Humaidi, and probably others, make use of Bir
Humaid on the north side of the Madraja pass, and the Basus are said to use the Tiban
at ni^ht There is no known water-supply on the south side of the Madraja, in any but
the very smallest quantity (Bir Mala'ut dry), though it is very probable that water may
exist at the foot of the Juhaili hills. They own flocks of goats and purchase what grain
IhQY ^g0
They have the reputation of shameless highway robbers, the mouth of the Akkan,
and the Tiban at Tannan near Nubat Dakim, being particularly dangerous places for
small bodies of travellers.
JUHAILI—
Inhabiting the eastern extremity of the Kubati range and bordering on the west with
that tribe are a small clan of about 100 men who have, since demarcation, once more
been included among the Subaihi. Altough of Subaihi stock, from the circumstance
of their living actually on the mountains adjoining the Kubati, they have for several
generations fallen under the influence of the Kubati Shaikh, and have paid taxes
to the Turks, when these were forcibly exacted from the Kubaitl. Their hills, compris
ing some 5 small villages, are fertile and well-watered, and neither the country nor the
people can be said to partake of the characteristics of the Subaihi.
JURABI—
The Jurabi, sub-divided into a number of sections and numbering between 300 and
400 men, inhabit the valley of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ma'adin, which is by far the richest part of
the SubishI country.
Not only is the head of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. a singularly well-adapted collecting basin for the
rainfall rendered certain by the neighbourhood of the high Absi and Yusufi mountains,
but a good stream appears twice in the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. between Mafalis and Kuhlan, by means
of which the fields near the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. itself can be frequently watered in the dry season.
There are several wells in the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. itself as well as at Ghurik and at Habil-us-Sabt.
Groves of date-palms are numerous, most of the produce being sold wholesale by the
" tree " to contractors from Aden. The staple rain-crops are jowari and hajri ; good
irrigated crops of Indian corn were being cut at the end of February. Sesamum, mus
tard seed used for making oil-cake, and a few limes are also grown. Although some 600
transport camels were stationed for nearly two months in the^ Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ma adin, no diffi
culty was experienced in supplying them with Jcarbi, while the camel-men and others
' dependent on native supplies were able to obtain all they required at very reasonable
rates.
There was not much demand for meat, the troops being supplied with Somali sheep
and goats from Aden, but beef of fair quality was procurable locally, and the Arab breeds
of sheep and goats were plentiful. The sheep, although affording good mutton, are
small, and cost, usually, 4 dollars a head.
Several large markets are held near the Jurabi border, the only one actually in Subaihi
territory being Suq-us-Sabt (Saturday) in the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ma'adin at Ghurik. Others held
are a Wednesday market in the Humaidi country in Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ma'bak, one near the Athwari
border, and one near the Koraihi villages below Mafalis. Country produce, animals, etc.,
are sold, as well as imported goods such as cloths, sugar, cheap cigarettes, etc. Arm s
and ammunition are also procurable, the chief market for these being Suq-ur-Rabu in
the Humaidi (Turkish) country. A Legras carbine costs 14 dollars, about 12 rounds of
ammunition going to the dollar.
The Jurabi are well armed, and should be a powerful tribe well able to resist the
encroachments of the Turkish tribes, but they are much weakened by internal dissen-
tions, which prevent their co-operating, except in case of actual hostilities. At the
present time (1904) a stubbornly prosecuted blood-feud exists between the Atawi and
Mifyahi sections, with the result that the latter have been unable to obtain access to the
stream to irrigate their fields for two years, can raise no crops and their palm-trees are