'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎33] (48/1050)

ADEN
33
The 'Abdali are the most civilized, but the least warlike, of all the tribes in South
western Arabia. The Sultan of Lahej entertains a number of Swahili slaves, who form
his body guard.
The population is estimated at about 15,000 but this gives no clue to the fighting
etrength of the tribe as they prefer hiring mercenaries to fighting themselves.
In 1909 there were 30 Shaikhs of some importance in the tribe, with a total following
of about 1,800 men. These Shaikhs were liable to be called on for military service.
The administration of civil and criminal justice is in the hands of the Qadhi of Lahej.
The Sultan occasionally adjudicates in serious cases. Murder, man-slaughter, etc.,
may be punished by death at the hands of the nearest relative of the deceased, but
blood money, " diya " is usually accepted instead. In the case of wilful murder the
price is about one hundred female camels.
Revenue. —The revenues of the Lahej state are derived from several sources ; land tax,
transit dues, river tax and from a large number of monopolies, besides a stipend from
the British Government.
The land tax amounts to H dollars per 11 dhimd" (about J of an acre) per annum.
In addition to this, tithes are levied on produce. The total revenue derived from these
sources may be estimated at 1,500 dollars per annum. In 1885 it was estimated that
the Sultan derived a yearly average of 30,000 dollars from transit dues. From the river
water, 3,000 dollars annually were obtained : monopolies fetched 8,000 dollars ; his own
landed property yielded 10,000 dollars ; and the stipend from Government aggregated
to nearly 20,000 making an annual total revenue of nearly 72,000 dollars at that time.
It is probably considerably more at the present time (1914).
1 AKRABI—
The territory occupied by the 'Akrabi is of small area. The coast line extends from
the Khor or creek of Bir Ahmad to Ras ' Imran, while inland the possessions of the tribe
reach to an undetermined point between the villages of Bir Ahmad and Waht situated
in the Khabt, or desert tract, which forms a debateable land between the territories of
the 'Abdali and 'Akrabi chiefs. The exact boundaries of the two districts have never
been accurately settled and the Khabt is looked upon as common property.
They were originally a sub-tribe of the l Abdali till, over 100 years back, they asserted
their independence, and wrested the fort of Bir Ahmad from the Sultan of Lahej.
Unlike most Muhammadans the 'Akrabi are not all total abstainers. Their usual
alcholic drink is toddy.
It is impossible to give an estimate of their population, but they are a small tribe
capable cf furnishing some 250 fighting men.
There are about 250 fighting men in the 'Akrabi tribe, most of them reside at Bir
Ahmad. Though small in point of numbers the 'Akrabi tribe bears a high reputation for
courage.
There is one Qadhi for the 'Akrabi district, who, however, only exercises jurisdiction
in matrimonial matters. All criminal and civil cases are disposed of by the 'Akrabi
chief according to custom.
Revenue. —The chief source of revenue is the jowari and karbi produced in the districts
This yields in ordinary years about 200 dollars. In extraordinary years it may yield
600 dollars.
No dues are levied on goods passing out of Aden, and, owing to the gradual diversion
of trade, the 'Akrabi chief has latterly derived little or no revenue from transit dues.
VALAWl—
This tribal area lies to the south of the Amirl country. It is bounded on the south and
west by the Haushabi, and on the east by the hills of the Dhanbari, an independent tribe.
The whole tract does not, probably, exceed forty square miles in extent.
The residence of the chief is Al-Kash'a.
The 'Alawi are a small tribe whose principal village is A1 Kash'a, in the Sailat Hardaba,
other villages being Al-Khariba, As-Sauda, Al-Hauta, Adh-Dhanib, Jiml and Al-Hajar.
The total population does not exceed 1,500. They are a friendly tribe, on bad terms
with their neighbours, the Kotaibi. The inhabitants consist of tribesmen, and
" Ra'aya, or subjects, in about equal proportion.
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