'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎778] (833/1050)

778
HASA
subjects, unaccompanied by their families, at Qatlf Town j but it has now disappoared,
for reasons which are explained in the article on that place.
The distribution of the Bedouin tribes of the Sanjaq is explained in detail in the articles
under their names ; to speak generally, the Bani KMlid are located in the north, and the
A1 Morrah to the south, with the Bani Hajir between them towards the coast and the
'Ajman between them in the interior.
The inhabitants of the Sanjaq are heavily armed, and it is reported that, in the villages
of the Hasa and Qat'f Oasis, nearly every male adult possesses a rifle. When the arms
trade was permitted in Bahrain rifles were easily obtained thence ; now they are mostly
smuggled in through Qatar.
Agriculture and livestock. —Agriculture is practically confined to the oases of Hasa
and QatTf, in the articles on which irrigation and crops are described. Here it may be
repeated that dates, which are excellent and plentiful, are the chief staple; but rice,
wheat, barley and a considerable variety of fruits and vegetables are also grown. Cattle
and donkeys are owned in considerable numbers by the villagers of both oases; but
camels, horses and sheep are chiefly in the possession of the Bedouins.
Transport, —A proportion of the donkeys in the oases of Hasa and Qatlf are excellent
and belong to the white indigenous breed now found also in Bahrain ; their good quality
is attributed to the dates and lucerne on which they are fed. The price of donkeys
per head ranges from 10 to 150 Riyals and the total number in the two oases is esti
mated at 3,200 of superior, and 10,650 of inferior breeds ; but it is not probable that
the owners could spare more than a small proportion of either class from field labour
and other necessary employments. Of the number of horses and camels either
existent or available among the Bedouins no estimate is possible ; in the two oases,
there are said to be about 150 horses (chiefly mares). The horses vary from the
pure-bred Arab, difficult to obtain and fetching a very high price, to the common
Kadish or baggage horse. A large number of hardy and serviceable animals, showing
some breeding, may be had at prices ranging from 20 to 40 Llrahs; and the Turkish
Dhabitiyahs, who used to be mounted on horses of this stamp, were said to have per
formed journeys of 100 miles in 3 days with ease. Good riding camels, inferior
only to those of 'Oman, are numerous, as are also ordinary baggage camels; but
a well-bred riding camel costs on the average 20 Llrahs, and frequently much more.
Natural products. —The products of the Sanjaq are chiefly agricultural, from the
oases, and pastoral from the surrounding deserts ; their nature will become apparent
in considering the question of exports.
Pearl fisheries. —On the coast pearl fishing is carried on to some extent; it employs
167 boats and affords occupation to about 3,500 men. The average crew of a pearl
boat in Hasa is about 21 men.
Manufactures. —The only industry of importance in Hasa is a manufacture of 'Abas
which has its seat at Hofuf ; the material used is generally all wool, but mixtures of
silk and wool and of silk and cotton are also employed ; the finished article is some
times embroidered with gold or silver thread. There are also some expert workers
in copper and brass who make coffee-pots of an elegant shape ; but a number of these,
having emigrated, are now plying their craft in different parts of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
and the monopoly formerly enjoyed by Hasa in this line has ceased to exist.
Trade.*—-Trade has its principal seat at Hofuf, which is the chief market of the
Hasa Oasis and surrounding country as well as an entrepot of the foreign trade of
Najd ; but there is a secondary centre, of more restricted importance, at Qatif Town.
The whole Sanjaq has only two parts, 'Oqair and Qatif Town ; of these the former serves
Hofuf together with the regions directly or indirectly dependent on that place, while the
port of Qatlf exists solely for the benefit of the Qatif Oasis and its smaller out side
clientele. The present volume of foreign trade (in both directions) at Qatif Town is
estimated at about 35 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. annually. Some account of the export and im
port trade of the Hasa province will be found in the articles on Qatif Town and 'Oqair
Port: this trade is principally and almost exclusively with Bahrain, where is Manamah,
the actual steam port of the Sanjaq.
The only exports of importance are dates and other products of the date palm ; reeds
and reed-matting; donkeys, ghi, hides and 'Abas saddle bags. The destinations and
♦Some particulars about the trade of Qatif are contained in the Government of India's Foreign ProceedingB for
JTanuary 1901 and January 1904.
N