'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎83] (98/1050)

ADEN
83
l^lie Wahidis are probably one of tbe least aggressive tribes in the country. Possess
ing in the neighbourhood of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Maifa a most fertile and productive soil they have
settled down into peaceful agriculturists, fighting only when obliged to repel intruders.
They hold their land on a feudal tenure, engaging to serve in time of war if called on.
The Wahidi Sultans of Balahaf and Bir 'Ala can muster 600 and 2,500 followers, respec
tively, but many of these are Hajiris.
In the centre of the country are the ruins of Nukb-ul-Hajar, situated on a commanding
eminence on the right bank ol the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Maifa. It must once have been an impregnable
fortress, and is generally identified with the Meepha Metropolis of Ptolemy, It does not
belong to the Wahidi, but to a Bedouin tribe, who are perfectly independent; a wild and
lawless people held in very bad repute.
WAHIDi—
The Wahidi are divided into 3 main districts—
1. HabbSn,
2. 'Izan.
3. Bir 'Alt
The principal places of (1) are^—
Habban, with some 250 houses and 2y500 inhabitants, situated in the midst of a
plain about 3*000 feet high,
Hauta, with some 200 houses and 2,000 inhabitants, on the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. 'Amakin.
Ar-Raudha, Sha'b, Tirdan and 'Amakin,
The chief villages of ^2) are—
'Izzan, with some 300 inhabitants,
Kadur, with some 1,000 inhabitants,
Lihya, with some 600 inhabitants.
Naidia, with some 1,000 inhabitants,
Radhum, with some 800 inhabitants.
Other villages in Wahidi territory are RSs-ul-Kalb, Bir 'AH, Balahaf, and Ras-ul-
Majdaha. The population of E€s-ul-Kalb is estimated at 2,000. Bir All and Balahaf
contain very few T inhabitants. The harbour of B!r 'Ali is a small circular and safe
bay, 1 mile long by 1J broad, exposed to winds from the south.
The total population is estimated at Over 9,000 souls, besides a sprinkling of Jews and
Hadramis.
The Wahidi are one of the least aggressive tribes in the country and have for the most
part settled down into peaceful tillers of the soil, or herdsmen, tending their camels,
goats, and sheep. There are no men of wealth in the country and the general equality
of fortune is very noticeable, except as regards the Jews. These are industrious, but
very poor : they are not allowed to own land and are chiefly artisans, Avhife their women
rear poultry.
The population may be divided broadly into two classes—the settled agricultural and
the Bedouins. The latter subsist on their camels, goats, etc., and what they -can get
from the Sultan and travellers. There are.no nomads. A savage custom exists among
the Bedouins of never accepting the ' diya ' or blood money.
The higher Shaikhs, and most of the Sharifs can read and write but the rest of the
population is illiterate.
The inhabitants, as seen in Al-Hauta, are taller, fairer, and more slender than the
ordinary Arabs, and wear their long, curling hair loose, or fastened behind with a band.
Ignorant and superstitious, they are consequently bigoted and fanatical, yet by no
means strict Muslims, very lax in religious duties, neglecting their daily prayers, except
on Fridays.
The women are very fair, with a slight yellowish tint, and go about unveiled, their
hair being worn in long ringlets round the head.
The ordinary food of the people consists of coarse jowari or bajri bread, with ghee and
dates. Very little rice is consumed. The only beverage is kishr, an infusion of coffee
beans and husks.
Inhabiting Ar-Raudha in the northern Wahidi country are the Haiuq, an inferior
caste of Arabs engaged in weaving.