'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎707] (762/1050)

HAJ—HAJ
707
hajir—
See Quryat.
hajir—
See Samail ( Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. ).
hajir (b ani) or huwajir—
A nomadic Arab tribe of Eastern Arabia. The singular is Hajiri (Hayiri).
Distribution, —The dirah of the Bani Hajir lies partly in Qatar and partly between that
place and Jabrin. They are mostly found in one part or another of the Hasa Sanjaq,
but they have not exclusive possession of any particular territory, excepting only
a considerable portion of Qatar which is occupied by their Makhadhdhabah division;
they are accustomed to obtain Rafiqa from the 'Ajman, under whose auspices they wander
dispersed in the country of that tribe. The Bani Hajir sometimes camp as far south as
Khor-al^Odaid, and in the opposite direction they pay occassional visits to the dominiona
of the Shaikh of Kuwait; some also appear annually at 'Anik in the Qatif Oasis. Settled
Bani Hajir, now altogether unconnected with the tribe, are said to be found at Wusailah
in the Aflaj District and at Haraimlah and Thadiq in the 'Arldh District of Southern
Najd. Arabs claiming to be Bani Hajir are found on the Persian Coast, e.g., in the
Rud-hilleh District.
The Bani Hajir are friends of the A1 Morrah and visit Jabrin. They own allegiance to
a certain extent to Ibn Jasin, Shaikh of Qatar. They are a source of danger on the
'Ojair-Hefuf-Riyadh route.
Religion, character and mode of life. —The Bani Hajir are Hanbali Sunnis.
In character they are a despicable, lying and untrustworthy race ; but in their favour
it is stated that they are enterprising and of a humourous disposition. Their women
enjoy considerable liberty. Though they have no vessels of their own the Bani Hajir
are addicted to piracy, which they carry on by means of boats temporarily seized from
the coast villages of other tribes. Their principal occupations, however, are pastoral,
and they live chiefly by their flocks and herds and by the breeding of horses and camels ;
but they also won a number of small date groves in Barr-al-'Oqair and Barr-adh-Dhahran,
and the palms at Ja'aimah in Biyadh to the north of the Qatif Oasis are their property.
Their tents are generally black, or black lined with white.
Divisions and numbers, —The following table shows the structure of the tribe together
with some details of fighting strength and other particulars;—•
Section.
Sub-section.
Fighting
strength.
Sub-sectional Shaikhs and remarks.
Makhadhdhabah ,.
Dibisah ..
15
•.. •
Do.
Fahaid (Al)
20
... •
Do.
Hamrah (Al)
25
....
Do.
Hasaiyin (Al)
15
....
Do.
Jararhah
20
....
Do.
Khaiyarin ,.
45
Mushash-bin-Mubarak.
Do.
Madhafirah
50
....
Do. \
Mana' (Al)
25
Do.
Mazahimah
25
....
4x2