"دليل الجزيرة العربية المجلد II" [‎١‎٣‎٤‎٨] (٦٨٨/٤٠٣)

NA'Lvi
From the figures given it may be inferred that the total number of non-nomadic Na'im
in 'Oman is about 10,500 souls, of whom roughly 3,500 belong to Trucial 'Oman, 4,500
to the 'Oman Sultanate, and 2,500 to Independent 'Oman.
Bedouin Na'im of'Oman. —The Bedouin Na'im in 'Oman range over the entire central
portion of the 'Oman Promontory towards its base. The district of Jau, in which the
Baraimi Oasis is situated, may be regarded as their headquarters ; but they are predominant
also in the Dhahirah District of the 'Oman Sultanate to the eastwards, and on the west
they extend to the district of Khatam which they occupy in common with the Bani
\as and Dhawahir. In winter some of the Na'im pasture their animals on the water
shed between the Baraimi Oasis and Sohar, and the Na'im are an important factor in
tribal politics at the head of Wadi Hatta ; but on the north their principal location is in
the plain of Jiri which is shared by their Khawatir section with the Ghafalah tribe. In
the direction of Sharjah, the track known as Gharif was once in their possession; hut
they were displaced by the Bani Ka'ab, who in their turn had to make way for the Bani
Qitab. The number of Na'im Bedouins in 'Oman may be roughly estimated at 2,500
souls, of whom 1,200 may be ordinarily in Truoial 'Oman, 900 in the 'Oman Sul
tanate and 400 in Independent 'Oman.
Suh-divisions of the Na'im of O'mdn. —The Na'im of 'Oman, whether (settled or nomadic,
all belong to one of two main tribal divisions—the Al Bu Kharaiban and the Al Bu
Shamis and each of these again is resolvable into a number of tribal sections. The Al
Ba Kharaiban are said to be descended from a common ancestor named Khazraj and the
Al Bu Shamis from one 'Aus.
The following table contains some of the better known sectional names:—
Section.
'Aryan .
'Aziz ('AySl)
i)arSwishah
t)hanain (Al BQ) ..
Main division.
Location.
Remarks.
Al Bu Kharaiban ..
Hafit village in Jau
About 140 souls. In
summer they culti
vate dates; in winter
they roam the
desert in tents with
their flocks and
herds.
Al Bu Shamis
Dhank Town in
Dhahirah.
About 700 souls ; all
are townsmen. They
are believed not to
be really Na'im, but
their true origin is
forgotten.
Do.
Hairah, Hamrlyah
and Sharjah Town
in Sharjah, also
Ras-al-K h a i m a h
Town.
At these places the
settled members of
this section aggregate
more than 1,500
souls. The Shaikhs
of Hamrlyah and
Hairah belong to this
section.
Al Bu KharaibSn ..
'Ajman and else
where.
About 700 souls.
The name is also
given as Al Bu Adh-
nain.