'An Account of the Arab Tribes in the Vicinity of Aden' [‎56r] (116/404)

THE WA'HIDl'.
99
A great fair is held annually on the 12th Rajah at a
shrine near Hauta at which the Bedawins assemble in numbers
and exchange' their products for the various commodities
they need, such as cloth, dates, etc. At other times little
traffic goes on : indeed, the internal commerce is small from
the simple habits and few wants of the inhabitants, which
render them almost independent of external sources of supply.
Their ordinary food consists of coarse jowdri or bajri bread,
with ghee and dates. Very little rice is consumed, and the
Arabs are by no means vegetarians. The only beverage is
kishor, an infusion of coffee beans and husks.
The inhabitants, as seen at Hauta, are described by
Captain Miles as a taller, fairer, and more slender race than
the ordinary Arabs ; they wear their long curling hair loose, or
fastened behind with a band. Ignorant and superstitious,
they are consequently bigoted and fanatical, yet by no means
strict Muslims, very lax in religious duties, neglecting their
daily prayers, except on Fridays. The women are very fair,
with a slight yellowish tint, and go about unveiled—their
hair being worn in long ringlets round the head.
It is impossible to give any trustworthy estimate of the
Revenues. annual revenues, but they cannot
exceed 3,000 dollars. The want of
authority and power among the Sultdns may be accounted for
bylthe absence of wealth or any large source of income on their
part, the only means they have being the “ashur,” a sort of
property tax, and transit dues, besides the profits arising from
any landed property of their own. Most of this income,
however derived, has to be paid away to the Bedawins as a
retainer for their services when required, and to restrain them
from lawless acts.
The system of administration is of the patriarchal type.
Administration. The Sult ^ ns no real despotic
power, and are unable to take the life of
any member of the tribe. The Sultdn is, indeed, answerable to
the people for all his acts and proceedings ; and his decisions,
whether civil or criminal, to be respected, must be in ac
cordance with the law of their religion and the customs of the
tribes.. In cases of emergency he consults the Shaikhs of the
sub-tribes, whose advice he is bound to take and act in ac
cordance with. In cases where the members of the tribe are
not satisfied with their decisions, and in disputes with other