'Kinder aus der Familie der Benī Schēbah'. Photographer: Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje

Content

Genre/Subject Matter:

This full length standing portrait shows two young sons of the Banī Shaybah family, gatekeepers of the Caaba.

The two boys stand side-by-side in matching light-coloured outer robes, which are embroidered at the lapels; under their outer robes each of the boys wears a patterned jalabiya . These garments appear to be cut from the same cloth, except that the pattern is inverted.

The boy on the left wears a pale-coloured turban but the boy on the right wears a keffiyeh held in place by an agal.

The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded quality in places. In particular, the background appears to have been substituted.

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

XIV

Printed beneath image, in ink:

'Kinder aus der Familie der Benī Schēbah (Thorhüter der Ka’bah).'

A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.

Extent and format

1 collotype print

It is part of

‘Bilder-Atlas zu Mekka’, by Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje

138 images

Ref: 1781.b.6

Physical characteristics

Dimensions:

131 x 93 mm

Format:

1 collotype print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XIV’

Written in

German in Latin script

Type

Photograph

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

1781.b.6/22

History of this record

Date(s)

1888 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Portrait photography

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Cite this record in your research

'Kinder aus der Familie der Benī Schēbah'. Photographer: Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, 1781.b.6/22, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023619120.0x000019> [accessed 5 April 2025]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023619120.0x000019

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