'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. II' [‎1028] (65/688)

1028
KHA—KHA
KHALF (W ilad)—
A section of the Bani Ruwahah tribe {q.v.) of the Sultanate of Oman.
KHALFOT (K hor)—
A small creek in Qamar Bay, Southern Arabia, and situated some 3 miles northward of
Ras Fintas and 12 to 14 from Ras Fartak. Boats of from 30 to 40 tons are hauled up
this creek during the south-west monsoon.
KHALID—
A sub -division of the Al Shibil, one of the rural tribes of 'Iraq (q.v.).
KHALID—
See Bahrain Island ; springs.
KHALID CAin)—
A well in the village of Rifa'-ash-Sharqi (q.v.) in Bahrain Island.
KHALID (A l)—
A sub-section of the Bani Khalid (q.v.) 'Amair section.
KHALID (B ani) oe KHUWALID—
The singular of the name is Khalidi. An Arab tribe of Eastern Arabia who had for
merly a very wide range but are now little found outside the Sanjaq of Hasa ; they are
still predominantly Bedouin, but appear to be in the process of settling down.
Distribution. —The domains proper of the nomadic Bani Khalid are the northern
portion of Habl down to the Habaiyah wells and the northern half of Biyadh ; when
however, as at the present time, they are on good terms with the Ajman, they make use
of the southern parts also of these two tracts. They also roam in Kuwait territory,
sometimes travelling as far north as Kuwait Town to obtain supplies, but the Maqta'
stream is their ordinary limit in this direction. * Summan, too, is visited by them. Per
manent communities of Bani Khalid have for long existed on the islands of Musallamlyah,
Jinnah and Tarut; and during the last few years two fixed villages of Bani Khalid have
sprung up on the mainland, namely, Umm-as-Sahak in the Qatif Oasis and Qasr Al
Subaih in Biyadh. The Bani Khalid are also represented at Jishshah and Kalabiyah
in the Hasa Oasis and in the fixed villages of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. -al-Miyah ; and a few are permanently
settled in Bahrain and some at Kuwait Town, while others pay regular annual visits to
'Anik in the Qatif Oasis, and may be regarded as partially settled there.
In Najd part of the inhabitants of Malham in 'Aridh, of Zilfi in Sadair, of 'Anaizah,
Qasaibah and possibly of Khabb and Qisai'ah in Qasim, and of Quwai'iyah in the south
western desert are believed to be of Bani Khalid extraction ; those" at 'Anaizah bear
a stronger resemblance to Bedouins than their fellow-citizens who are Bani Tamim.
Religion, character and mode of life.—The Bani Khalid, unlike most of their neighbours,
are Maliki and not Hanbali Sunnis: the difference is probably accounted for by their
hereditary antagonism to the Wahhabis, from whom the Hanbalis are sometimes almost
indistinguishable.
The Bani Khalid are described as more dignified and formal in their intercourse with
strangers than the other Bedow in tribes of Eastern Arabia; and among themselves the
share of the women in the social life of the tribe is said to be more restricted. Their
tents are larger than the ordinary Bedouin tent. The Bani Khalid are considered to be
handsomer and of fairer complexion than the average Bedouin, and in general appear
ance they resemble the settled Arab rather than the nomad. As a rule they are well
dressed and ordinarily wear abas: they are said to have a characteristic way of
bringing down their kerchiefs so as partially to conceal their faces. They have some
slight peculiarities of dialect.
In the 3 hot weather months the Bedouins of the Bani Khalid descend to the coast
and tend the date plantations which they own at various places in its vicinity • during
the rest of the year they roam in the interior. The principal occupations of the tribe
as a whole are horse and cattle breeding and the cultivation of dates ; but those who are
settled on the coast engage also iu pearl diving and in the sea-fisheriea.