'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎72] (87/1050)

72
ADEN
dying, but neither the Qadlus nor other influential men have [succeeded in adjusting:;
matters. *
The two streams—the Ghail Akashi and the Ghail Maula—-as well as being the life
of the country, are also the cause of most of the internal disputes. They are each con
trolled by a tribesman bearing the hereditary designation of the " Sid-ul-Ma " or con
troller of the water, to whom the various sections pay dues for the use of it. The water
is diverted now to this, and now to that, bank, and allotted to the various individuals for
a specified time, being led by artificial channes to the land to be irrigated. Attempts-
to divert or obtain an unfair share of the water lead to quarrels in the first instance, with
a blood-feud to obtain for years.
Treacherous murders in pursuit of these feuds are common and several occurred
during the stay of the Commission in the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ma'adin.
One of the Subaihi Qadhis, Thabit Abu Bakr lives with the Jurabi at Habil-us-Sabt
near the Sanawi Shrine, the principal Qadhi living in Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ma'bak with the Humaidi,
Theoretically, disputes, etc., are submitted for their arbitration, but the Subaihi are
an unruly people and not addicted to agreeing with a decision which does' not fall in with
inclination.
Baggage camels are owned by the Jurabi as also by the Wahasha tribes, lower down
the W adi, but they are not numeroua.
KA'AITI—
The country in possession of the Ka'aiti lies on the north coast and includes the porta
of Shehr and Mukalla. Behind the coast district are bare downs r known as " Jol' ,,
that rise to over 6,000 feet.
Shthr^^andHaSi 08 ^ 8 ^ ^ ^ there are sul P hur s P rin gs at
The coast district is well cultivated.
Mukalla, the capital, is supplied with water from Al-Bakarain, some four miles
distant.
In 1887, the Ka'aiti Jemadar kept up an armed force of about 1,800 men in time of
peace, to which he could add largely in case of war.
He possessed a steamer, a ship and six or seven for offensive purposes.
At Shehr there is a civil governor assisted by a police magistrate. In the villages
petty cases are settled by the Shaikhs appointed by the Jemadar, all important
matters being referred to the Jemadar.
Revenue. When the Ka'aiti Jemadar of Shehr became also ruler of Mukalla his
revenues were estimated at not less than 120,000 dollars per annum.
0f thiS re :'f Ue ,, Wa " S derived from ^e customs at the port of Mukalla.
The customs dues are not levied at once, but an account is kept with merchants whiel*
orfrn toE, a"Vda^ m0nthS ' ^ ^ ^ imp0rtS 0n land P roducin g
The seaports of Mukalla and Shehr belong to this tribe, who are of an enter-
prising nature. Some are m the employment of the Nizam of Hyderabad, others
"R '!i I s Settlements. The population subject to the Ka'aiti rule, including
n.? m P a y« has been estimated at 50',000
There are no sub-tribes but the following Bedouins are in the pay of the Ka'aiti:-
Al-Haik tt _
Al-Awabitha,
Sha'amilih. 'All,.
Johiyym. Kir ^f
Al-Ma'arra. Th^an.
they are very distrustful of foreign interfe"Lce Tb ' W ^ 0rd ? r '
Sultans show them marked resplct anTkTs their hands Even the