'Report on Sur. By Major G. P. Murphy, I.A., Indian Political Department, Political Agent, Muscat' [‎85v] (4/20)

10c. A small number of Jenebeli belonging to the Majaala section live
at Izz near Nezvva, and in forner days the Temeemah or Chief Sheikh
of the Jenebeh was chosen foni this section. He was regarded with
veneration, had despotic power, aid took 25 per cent, on all bags of dates
exported by the tribe. Presumably he acted as agent for the Jenebeh in
Sharqiyah and helped to build up this trade.
By 1900 his power had waned and a Sheikh of the Arama section, who
are the largest section in Stir, wis recognised as Temeemah.
Unfortunately a blood feud, which started in 1913, between the Arama
and Fuwaris sections on the one hand and the Makhana and Ghialin on the
other, undermined the influence of the Arama Sheikh and Mansur bin Naser
of the Majaala section of Masirah Island was elected Temeemah.
The influence of this Sheikh over the Arama and Fuwaris sections waned,
and he seems to have enlisted the sympathy of the Amirs of the Bani Bu Ali
tribe for the purpose of regaining his authority. In 1927 he went to Mecca
with the brothers of Amir Mahomed bin Naser to visit Ibn Sand, but died of
smallpox on the return journey.
The Jenebeh, though they bear an evil reputation in slave dealing and
piracy, are not a warlike race, and under normal circumstances could have
been kept in control easily enough ; but misrule, internal feuds and French
influence have combined "to let loose lawless elements amongst them.
10d. The Bani Bu Ali. as a tribe, live in the interior of Jaalan. Their
principal port is Lashkharah, but they have a small settlement at Aiqa on
the opposite side of Sur ^reek to the Jenebeh and own about eight or ten
dhows.
According to Saiyid Mahomed bin Ahmed, Aiqa formerly belonged to
the Hinawi. The Temeemah of the Bani Bu Ali, Mahomed bin Majid,
occupied it under their patronage, but Abdullah bin Salim threw off the
Hinawi connection and made the place purely a Bani Bu Ali settlement.
The Bani Bu Ali are a wild and warlike tribe of ruffians. They put up
a fight against a Division of Indian troops, and their name is to be found
on the colours of a number of Indian regiments. The Sultans of Muscat
have never been able to control them, but have often enlisted their assistance
■during former rebellions, when they have come chiefly for the sake of loot.
II.—Historical Summary of the Bani Bu Ali.
11 . The Bani Bu Ali tribe of Jaalan are a branch of the great Adnani
tribe Bani Temeem.
12. The name Bani Bu Ali appears to be of recent origin, since in the
History of the Imams and Seyyids of Oman,” by Salil ibn Bazik, translated
by the Rev. G. P. Badger, they are constantly being referred to as the Beni
Temeem, and not as the Bani Bu Ali.
13. The Bani Temeem, one of the most considerable tribes in Arabia,
ascribe their origin to Temim—born about A.D. 120—the son of Murr, a
descendant of Madhar through Tabikhah, and therefore of the race of Adnan
and Maadd. They were dispersed over the north-east of Nejd from the
Syrian desert to the borders of the el Yamamah. Their territory comprised
the vast desert called Dahna, and extended on the south between the confines
of A1 Yamamah and el Bahrain.
14. The Bani Bu Ali are accounted the most religious tribe in the Oman
Sultanate. They belong to the Wahabi sect known as Azraqah and will not
eat meat cooked by others. The founders of the Wahabi, Ibadhi, and lufuyyah
sects all belonged to the Beni Temeem, whilst the llarth, the other branch
of the Bani Temeem in Oman, have been the i>rincipal supporters of the
Muttawa or extreme sect of the Ibadhis.
15. In 1807 the Wahabis sent a Joasmee fleet of 22 dhows to attack the
fort at Sur, but met with such a spirited resistance on the part of the
Jenebeh and Bani Bu Ali that they were driven off with heavy loss.
Intrigue accomplished what force failed to do.