'File 8/62 IV PRINCIPAL SHAIKHS & TRIBES OF OMAN.' [‎3r] (5/282)

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A Note on. the Imam* s Administration in the interior of Oman
The Imam
The rules for the appointment of Imam are as follows:-
1# Ke is elected by the Mullas and Tribal Loaders,
2 ft He must be a man of good bearing and reputation^, of a
pious disposition and well versed in religious matters,
3- He should not be from a large tribe which is able to
exercise its influence beyond its own tribal borders®
4* He is elected only after the decease of his predecessor®
Shaikhs
There is no special election of Shaikhs, and tribal
leadership usually falls to the son or brother or other
nearest male relative, depending to some extent upon
acceptance by the tribe as a whole.
Extent of the Administration
The Imam’s influence extends over the territories of
the tribes which support hiiru Broadly defined this is from
the southern border of Dhahirah province, in the north west
of the Sultanate, along the mountainous ridge of Western and
Eastern Hajar almost to the coast in Sharqiyah and Jala’an,
bounded on the South by the Rub el Khali desert and on the
North by the territories of the tribes which support the
Suit an©
The Capital and residence of the
The tribes at present supporting the Imam are:~
Beni Ghafir
Beni Habus
el Hadadabah
Beni Hadrami
Beni Hajriyin
Beni Harras
el Harth
Beni bu Hassan
Beni Hinah
el Ibriyin
Beni Jabir
Beni Kkarus
el Kinud
el Ma'awal
Beni Mahariq
el Masakrah
el Masharifah
Beni Nabban
el Nadabiyan
Rahbiyin
Beni Ruwahah
Beni Shakail
el Siyabiyin
Yal Wahibah
el Ya’aqib
el Ya’aribah
el Yaman
Imam is NIZWA®
Further particulars regarding these tribes will be found
in the "Notes on the Tribes of the Sultanate of Muscat & Oman"*
The Administration
( a ) O fficials ® All are appointed by the Imam.
(i) The Qadhls (Judges), If the Imam has a good knowledge
of the Shara Law, as in the present case, he is himself the
Chief Qadhi® Other Qadhis are appointed in accordance with their
influence and knowledge in the various cities and villages in
/which.•©