'Personalities, Arabia' [‎255] (259/374)

255
themselves inclined to be predatory, and scour the Hammam Desert on
the look-out for caravans. When the depredations become too frequent
and obtrusive, the Sultan of Nisab marches his troops into their country
and quickly restores order, dealing out condign punishment on any
raiding parties met with. The Hammam 'Aqil, Husein abu Ahmed,
has not much control over his people and cannot check marauding.
In addition to his own tribesmen, the Sultan exercises suzerainty
over the following :
1. The BAL HARITH, who pay immediate allegiance to the Sherif
of Beihan, who in turn is under Nisab influence and pays a private,
semi-voluntary tribute.
2. The MUSABEIN, merely nominal.
3. The AHL KARAB, also nominal.
4. The AHL SATDI, who pay him land tax under pressure. A
further description of the above will be found under their names.
5. The AHL NASIYlN, who derive their origin from the almost
extinct race of Beni Hilal, a few surviving representatives of which may
be found at Heid Hadhinah. They number 700 men, and their territory
stretches from Hajar to Heid Jehur and towards the south-east. Its
limit occurs at Jaul (or Jal) Heirur, and may be said to lie along the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
Markhah within the limits named. The Sultan is Nasr abu Thalib,
who belongs to the Abu Thalib dynasty, an offshoot of the Nisab
dynasty. His sway is, of course, subject to the jurisdiction of Nisab.
6. Three clans who are termed 'ASAKIR. They do not come
directly under the Sultan, but are bound by treaty with the Ahl Ma'an
to give their services in battle in case of a war.
(a) Ahl Ba Zal, leading a pastoral life in the Kaur el-'And near the
source of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Marbun.
(b) Ahl Wahar, living at Heid Keneb and Hisn Makusrah, agri
cultural.
(c) Ahl Reid, who occupy a district north-east of Arq (the
frontier village of Lower 'Aulaqi). They lead a pastoral
life along the banks of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Reid, which joins the
Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Rafal just above Arq, under the name of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
Maleik.
7. AHL BA FEYYAD, a powerful tribe, who are not related to the
Ahl Ma'an, but are bound to them by a mutual offensive and defensive
alliance. They muster 600 men and live along Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Yeshbum, between
Safal and the gorge of Nakabah. Origin not known.
8. AHL BA HAD AH, another treaty tribe of the Ahl Ma'an, who
number 300 men and extend from below the Nakabah gorge to within
a short distance of Habban.
9. KHALlFAH, a treaty tribe living on the western slopes of Heid
Hadhinah, a range to the west of the Hammam Desert, and mustering
about 1,000 men.