'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. II' [‎1100] (143/688)

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1100
LAM
Division.
Sub-division.
Habitat of sub-division.
Fighting
strength of
sub-division.
8. Lawaimi ..
Detached, in the Ahwaz District to
the east of the Karun river, viz.,
on the Malih and about the Thini-
yah in the Ahwaz hills.
300
9. Sarkhah ..
Barais
On the west side of the Karkheh,
crossing also to the Shaur between
Aiwan-1-Karkheh and Shush.
300
Do.
Hajjaj
Ditto
200
Do.
Kharsan
Ditto
300
Do.
Labaibat
Ditto
200
Do.
Mahur
•
Among the Kathlr at Husainiyeh
between the Diz and the Shaur.
100
Do.
Qasman
Same habitat as the Barais above ..
200
Do.
Rawaishid
Ditto
500
Do.
Shabaikah
Ditto
300
In regard to the Lawaimi division above it may be noted that they have not now any
apparent political connection with the main body of the tribe. The Sarkhah are not
of very much importance: their Shaikh Mushattat has friendly relations with some of
the Sagwand Lurs, and a few settled Sarkhah are found at Jirqeh Saiyid Ta'ameh in
the Dizful District of 'Arabistan.
The number of fighting men of the tribe in 'Arabistan is thus approximately 8,000,
and from a comparison of various discrepant accounts their military strength in 'Iraq
would seem to be about 10,000. In view, however, of the indefiniteness of the Turco-
Persian boundary and of the mobility of some of the sections of the Bani Lam, it is
probable that the two estimates to a great extent overlap : consequently it is not neces
sary to estimate the fighting strength of the tribe at more than 15,000 men or their
total number at more than 45,000 souls.
Mode of life and resources.-Except the Kinanah division, who (unless those settled
at Mirbacheh) are entirely pastoral in their habits, the majority of all sections of the
Bam Lam are agricultural and live by growing cereals. The tribe as a whole have not
yet, however, abandoned the nomad life; for neither houses nor huts but only hair
tents are found among them and they migrate towards the hills in the cold weather
and are on the move from February to June.
Wheat, barley, oats, maize millet, mash and lentils are among their crops, but they
have not much rice ; their cultivation is shifting and desultory. The camels and horses
of the Bam Lam are among the best in 'Iraq ; of horses their best breeds are the Hargah
Nasbah and Wadhnah, the two former being, it is said, a monopoly of the tribe
They have also buffaloes, cattle, sheep and donkeys and supply most of the eW for
which 'Amarah Town is famous. The livestock of the ZighSb^rdTvis on afe
to consist exclusively of buffaloes, and the Ka'ab Bait 'Amir are also amonVthe
buffalo-owning sections. The horses possessed by that portion of the tribe which is
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