'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎75] (186/258)

OBSERVATIONS ON BAGHDAD.
75
Family at Kut. Tents. Usual abode.
Ashireh Kut Al-Amareh 100 Kut-Al-Amareh.
This small family almost always occupies the same locality, that is both
banks of the Tigris around the Hye stream. They have about 60 guns and
a few flocks, but are wanting in camels and horses like the Daour. Their
chief occupation is as guides, and for this purpose they have a small quantity
of wheat and barley, and a couple of miserable hack horses awarded them
annually by the Government, to whom they pay no tribute, and, moreover, are
permitted to levy the same articles from passing boats as the Daour. For
merly they were in greater consideration, but their allowance has been reduc
ed by successive Pashas. They are a quiet and useful people, being well
known to the larger tribes. For many years the Sheikh has been employed
by me as agent for the supply of fuel for the steam vessel. He has serv
ed too as my guide on many expeditions, possesses a good knowledge of the
country, and in petty local affairs, both himself and his tribe, who are attach
ed to us, have been very useful. They are of Shiah principles.
Zobeid Tribe.
Zobeid Families. Tents. Usual abode.
Al-Maamereh 100 7 Baghdadiyeh to MahawiI andMus-
Al-Merod 200 $ seyb.
„ i nn From Abd-Allah to Baghdadiyeh
Al-buwatif. 100^ and NeL
Aduwijat 100 Brenij to Humanyeh.
Al-Jahish 150 Sherhan.
Ad-Delim 150 Alwej.
Achellabiyin 200 Mesalhiat to Beghileh.
Al-hn-Sultan 250 Shumli to Euphrates.
Kiraghul 100 Shumli to Euphrates.
Al-hu Aia 100 Anadel el-Irak
As-Said 200 Huriyeh toAfaj
Ash-Shemamteh/. 100 The Sheikh’s Household.
This great family occupies Mesopotamia south of the Saklawiyeh canal, as
far as the Afaj marshes. It is both nomade and settled, mixed cultivators
and predatory. They possess cattle in abundance and many good horses.
The hereditary chief is Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. ; but of late owing to quarrels with the Govern
ment he has been disavowed, and his nephew nominally rules over the tribe.
Most of the lands on the east and west of the Euphrates, especially about
the Hindiyeh neighbourhood, are farmed by the hereditary chief and
his adherents. Two years ago a price was set upon his head, and under the
present Government he is the richest land proprietor in Irak. It is con
sidered a powerful tribe, being able to raise 500 horse and 600 foot armed
with fire-arms. They are of Sunni principles ; generally support the Go-