'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎206v] (417/470)

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Suraijiyin .—A considerable amount of trouble has been caused in the past by
this tribe. It is situated between QaFat Sikar and Hai, and hundreds of murders
and robberies have been committed within its borders. The Suraifiyin own a very
valuable muqata‘ah known as A1 Fahawah. For years A1 Maiyah, one of the
Rabkah tribes, in fact the first tribe across the Muntafiq boundary, had cast longing
eyes on this muqata‘ah. Last year they caught the Suraifiyin in a divided state,
and took advantage of the fact by driving them out of the muqata‘ah. A1 Maiyah
built a tower, made a new channel, and put a great deal of work into their newly
acquired territory. The result was that this year’s harvest was an exceptionally
fine one. Meanwhile the Suraifiyin had been quietly consolidating and preparing
for battle. Their idea was to wait until the harvest was over and then attack A1
Maiyah before the grain was winnowed. Just then Government came along, and
the Suraifiyin, too frightened to attack, were forced to lodge a formal complaint
against A1 Maiyah. For some time the atmosphere was decidedly electric, but at
last a settlement was effected. The Suraifiyin were prepared to pay compensation
for all improvements carried out by A1 Maiyah. The only thing they asked was for
‘Abdullah ibn Muhammad al Yasin, Shaikh of A1 Maiyah, to take an oath as to the
amount expended on the improvements. This for a long while ‘Abdullah refused
to do, but a ruling was obtained from Basrah and at last he swore that his expenses
were £T500/-, 60 taghars barley and 15 taghars wheat. The compensation w as
eventually fixed at Rs. 20,000/-, which the Suraifiyin paid up without a murmur.
A majlis was sent out to divide up the grain and the Suraifiyin returned to # their
muqata‘ah. Guarantees of good behaviour for six months w-ere taken from both
Al Maiyah and the Suraifiyin.
Al Toqiyah .—A certain amount of trouble has been caused between Al Mushlib
and Shaikh ‘Atiyah over the division of their muqata‘ahs. It was a case of
talyah. Shaikh ‘Atiyah has had a strip of land as talyah for years, but the arrange
ment was purely between themselves. The actual owner of the land knew nothing
about it. This year the division of the land has been different from previous years
and Al Mushlib, finding Shaikh ‘Atiyah in a weaker position than heretofore, have
attempted to divide up the talyah as well. There is no reason why Shaikh ‘Atiyah
should have this strip of talyah, but I considered it advisable to direct that for this
year only the previous arrangement shall stand. After the harvesting of this
winter’s crop, this question should be brought up again and the muqata‘ahs fairly
divided. Otherwise there maj^ be trouble.
When this district w r as first opened up, the Toqiyah were responsible for a
nightly fusillade into the towm of Qal‘at Sikar. Strong measures were taken,
however, and since then the Toqiyah have more or less behaved themselves.
Al ‘Attab .—This tribe is in a rather curious position. It is one of Al Flumaid
confederation; but not only does it border on ‘Abudah territory—it actually
occupies a portion of Khaiyun al ‘Ubaid’s muqata‘ah, the Sudaifir. The Shaikh of
Al ‘Atab lives in this portion. So he really lives in Shatrah district, while his tribe
comes under the jurisdiction of Qal‘at Sikar district.
The question is not yet settled, but is being dealt with.
(c) Bani Richab .—No head shaikh at present.
General. —Miz‘al al Shati was appointed head shaikh of Bani Richab, but his
appointment was not a success. Miz‘al is exceptionally slow and stupid. He is,
I am convinced, more fool than knave.
I have just received a madhbatah from the various shaiks of the Bani Richab,
asking for the appointment of Haji Manna‘ al Shati as their head shaikh. This
appointment is well worth considering, for Haji Manna‘ is very influential and
intelligent. He is, I believe, quite capable of handling the whole of the tribe,
which Miz‘al certainly is not.
The Bani Richab occupy the right bank of the Gharraf, and extend down to
within a few miles to Shatrah.
Albu Ghuwainim .—This tribe, as a tribe, gives no trouble, but the Shaikh’s
family seem to be always in difficulties. Up to a year or so ago, the shaikh of the
tribe was Hammadi al Shati—an exceptionally rich man, who was a great friend of
Yusuf al Khairullah. During the latter years of Hammadi’s lifetime his elder sons
were constantly away from home taking part in the wars, of which there were plenty
in those days. His eldest son Miz‘al, though singularly devoid of brains, seems
nevertheless to have been no coward, for he always led the Albu Ghuwainim in