'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎76] (91/1050)

76
ADEN
The Matarafi own riding camels but not apparently in large numbers. Throughout
the whole Subaihi country, the riding camels observed were all exceedingly young—-the
owners evidently selling all animals of 4 years of age and using the young ones for their
own riding, at the same time breaking them to the saddle. Curiously enough, this does
not seem to produce the bad effect one would expect, as the Subaihi riding camel is much
sought after ancl bears a high reputation for endurance.
The Matarafi own large flocks of goats which they pasture at the foot of the Kubati
hills. The blood-feud, which exists between them and the Kubati is probably owing to
disputed pasture rights in the first instance.
MUDARIBA—
South of the Alkaml (Turkish) and west of the Shumaya, separated from the latter by
some 8 miles of stony and uncultivated country, are the small clan of Mudariba, inhabit
ing a fertile little valley traversed by the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Umm Barhana, which, joining the Wadl
Khosaita, forms the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Turan.
The majority of the inhabitants are Sufis and occupy a cluster of little hamlets,
consisting of a tower and a few huts apiece, surrounded with date-palms and cutiva-
tion near the junction of the wddls, where a good stream springs forth and flows
at intervals for some two miles along the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Turan. There are also two wells, and
a third well with poor supply and some small springs in the wddl Umm Juail close by,
Karhi is abundant. The people of Mudariba, adherents of the Julaidi Shaikh in whose
territory their valley is, were found to be peaceable and well-disposed.
About 7 miles further down the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Turan is the village of Umm Shat in Buraimi
territory but also inhabited by Sufis. It contains some 30 houses and stone huts, and is
supplied by three good wells, one of which is nearly two miles up the wddls, one near, and
one a little below the village. A stream, Ghail Rahban, rises in the wddi about two
miles below on the road to Turan.
SHA'B (Ahl)—-
The Ahl Sha'b inhabit the eastern extremity of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Sha'b, which is very fertile^
They are a small community of Saiyids or religious sect, who have of late years come
under the influence of the Absi Shaikh and through him paid dues to the Turks. They
have now been included within the boundaries of the Subaihi. Their headman, one
'Abd-ul-Qawi, is a courtly and well educated old gentleman, who passed many years at
the Court of the Nizam of Hyderabad and forms a curious contrast to his wilder neigh- *
bours.
SHUBAIKI—
A small nomad tribe in Buraimi territory ; inhabit the desolate valley of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
Tarbaha, to the west of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ka 'luli: it consists of a stony plain enclosed on both
sides by rocky and barren hills, is interested by numerous dry nullahs and covered
with sparse vegetation affording grazing for the goats and sheep of the Shubaiki.
Its average width is about 2 miles. With the exception of Hisi Ahmad, a deep well
with a scanty supply of brackish water, there is no water between Ghail Funi in the
Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ka'luli and Ghail Kulaita in Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Hurrim, a distance of about 8 miles. There
is no cultivation nor are any supplies procurable on the spot. -
[Turbat-Abul-Asrar or Bani Surur, are a small community of Saiyids inhabiting
a fertile little valley to the north-east of the Hawab range. The shrine there is of some
local renown. There is a small village with three wells of good water and a certain
amount of cultivation, jowari and date-palm. It is as yet undecided whether this
settlement will be included on the Turkish or the British side of the border though the
land was originally Subaihi. The valley adjoins that of Mudariba and fair tracks
lead from it to the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Bitan, to Umm Albia, and to the Haiki valley.]
SHUJAIFl—
This is not, however, the case with the Shujaifi, as mall scattered clan {vide Statement
A, Mansuri), the villages in the Wadis Sha 'b and Yumit having been praiOtically absorbed
by the Absi Shaikh, who collected taxes from them on behalf of the Turks.
The Shujaifi in the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Sha'b have been restored to SubaiM status, those in the
Yumit remaining on the Turkish side of the boundary.
Tnore is a small stream in Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Sihr near Nubat-us-Sihr and a good deal of cultiva
tion around both Zaidin and Shujaifi villages.