'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎646] (745/905)

646
PIRATICAL TRIBES.
[CHAP. XXIV.
studded with islands, and full of coves, indentures, and rocky
shallows, which render the approach exceedingly difficult. The
principal tribes are the Jawasimi, the Menasir, Beni As, and
Mahama, who number IQ^SO 1 males, and have at least 1500
vessels, varying in size from 10 to 400 tons, with which, dur-
piiacy ing the intervals between the pearl seasons, they at one time
practised,
infested the southern frontier of Arabia and the northern
shores of India, generally putting to death the crews of vessels
which fell into their hands. The existence, in the fourth cen
tury of the Hijra, of pirates carrying on their depredations
systematically, not only along the coast, but often far out at
sea, is mentioned by Ibn Haukal, 2 and also by Edrisi. 3 But
in later times this evil became more formidable, by the union
of the piratical tribes with a part of the Wahhabi people; the
latter transferring their hostility to mankind, from the deserts
to the ocean surrounding them. This state of things conti
nued till the stronghold of Ras-el-Khaimah (Cape Tent) was
captured and rased to the ground in 1819. The port then
contained 63 large vessels and many smaller; but since the
treaty made at that time with the Jawasimi by Major-General
Sir Keir Grant, Abuthabbee, about 120 miles to the south
west, has been their principal seat. The Company's cruisers
in the gulf have, however, been sufficient to keep down their
latent but strong predilection for their old occupation.
The inhabitants of this coast consider themselves superior
to the other people of the country, even to the Bedawin, from
Stature and whom they differ by having a taller and more athletic frame
complexion of • j - i j i 9
the people. with, a darker complexion. They are supposed to derive their
origin from Ham : their deep colour seems, however, to be the
result of a recent mixture of African blood; slaves from Africa
having, in consequence of their fidelity, been frequently enfran
chised and incorporated with their families.
Opposite the western termination of the pirate coast, in the
middle of the bay of Bahrein, is the principal island of the
same name, otherwise called Aval, which extends 27^ miles
1 Abdallah Ben Ghudder, Makhoda.
2 Ouseley's translation, pp. 85, 88.
8 Ed. Jaubert, tome V., pp. 62,152, Recueil de Voyages et M^moires, &c.