'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎40] (55/1050)

40
ADEN
Lower' Aulalcl. —The total population may be roughly estimated at 15,000 souls.
The principal places are ;-r-
Al-Mauka'a. Ash-Shukaib.
Hamara. Al-Kabs.
Hauta. Al-Yaul.
Al-Mahfid. Al-Husn.
Al-Haik. Hauad.
Ahwar.—Said to have a population of 4,000 to 5,000 souls.
The Lower 'Aulaki consist of two main divisions, the Lakmush and the BS Kazim.
The Lakmush, though among the Aivalik, are not of them. They claim to be of
Himyaritic origin and to have kinship with their neighbours the Dhujaibi.
The Ba Kazim have many sub-tribes, among whom are the following:—
Sham'i. Yahwi.
Yarli'. Ahl Badi.
Ahl Nashra. Ahl-Salim.
Mansuri. Maribi.
Ahl-ul-Haik. Hatali.
Baz'ali. Ahl-ba-Yarad.
Of these the Sham'i takes the lead on account of their supposed superior intelligencei
and sagacity.
baid A—
The Baida territory is bounded on the north by Baihan-ul-Kasab, on the west by the
the Upper Yala'i country, on the south by Al-Marakisha, and on the east by the 'Aulaki.
It is an elevated plateau sloping gradually to the low-lying country of Baihan-ud-Daula
to the north, and the 'Aulaki country east and south. The soil is of a sandy nature
and fertile.
The district of Baida and its dependencies form a collection of small tribes in the
nature of a confederacy under the ' Amm Rasas Sultanate of Baida. The Baida Sultans
were formerly a very powerful factor, excercising a wide-spread and effective influence,
involving the payment of tribute, and the performance of military service by the tribes
subject to the central authority. Their influence has waned considerably of late years.
Some of the tribes have fallen under Turkish influence and some, more particularly
those to the north-west, have become independent.
Districts under BatdI.
Baidd or Balad-ud-Dakar {the plateau country).
Baida proper is inhabited by some ten tribes :—
The Azzani. The Al-'Umar.
HomaikanL Hashamt
Dubani. Dafari.
Madafari. " Hayashi.
Mash'ari. Maljami (more properly classed
as a dependency).
The fighting strength generally attributed to the first nine is 3,000 men, but this is
probably much exaggerated.
Taffa is a generic name comprising the Ayashi, Hashami and Dafari tribes.
The soil is of a sandy nature and is fertile, indigo being grown as well as jowari and
hajri. The inhabitants of Baida city are largely engaged in dyeing cloths.
Other small tribes which appear to be directly dependent on Baida are —
T h * Bani YWhose country is also called the Wad Markha. They number some
300 fighting men and their country is described as very fertile, the usual crops and fruits
' aS r as 11 co ! ton and ^go- The people are mostly weavers and cultivators.
The Tahn. —A small clan of 50 men, north of Maljami. Sultan Husain-bin-'Ali of
the z Amm Rasas family lives with them.
Villages. —AT Ark and Ayai.
The Wahahl live in a small district south of Karan, furnish soldiers to the BaidS
Sultan, and are said to receive an allowance, or stipend, from him.
Tvfi 1 —-ous district north of the Sailat HamrS, with about 100
: fighting men. They are directly under the Baida Sultanate.
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