"دليل الجزيرة العربية المجلد I" [‎٥‎٣‎٦] (١٠٥٠/٥٦٧)

536
DHUFAR
ordinarily inhabit a country said to lie three or four days' journey to the east of
Dhufar ; and the Harasls, a tribe of which stray members are seen now and again in
Dhufar, having come, it is believed, from a long distance. A few Mahras and Hikman
are found at Murbat in Dhufar, and the district is adjoined on the west by Mahra terri
tory. Formerly there were a few Indian traders in Dhufar, now there are none.
The blood-feud flourishes in Dhufar and is at times so prevalent that two inhabitants
can hardly pass one another without a Rabi or guarantor. This was particularly
the case in 1845, when frightful anarchy prevailed and there was a general desire for
British protection. The condition of affairs has been somewhat ameliorated since
the effective occupation of Dhufar by the Sultan of 'Oman, but population is said to
be still decreasing. The former rulers of the country, whose ruined villages cover the
plain of Dhufar Proper, are called by the present people the Minquwi.
Population. —As will be apparent from the table at the end of this article and from
that in the article on Dhufar Proper, the population of the whole district must be
about 11,000 souls, composed as follows :—
Settled inhabitants of Dhufar Proper .. ., ., %9 3,000
Settled inhabitants of the remainder of the district .. .. 1,500
Kara Bedouins ,. .. .. .. ,, M f 4250
Al Kathir Bedouins .. .. .. .. ., ^ 2,000
Other Bedouins (Hasarlt, etc.) .. .. .. .. .. 250
T otal . . 11,000
Communications and •Communication between Dhufar and the outside-
world is hampered by various obstacles. The coast possesses no large harbour and land
ing is generally difficult on account of surf, though the bays of Murbat and Risut afford
good anchorage for small vessels in the north-east and south-west monsoons, respectively.
Practically no sea-going boats are owned in Dhufar, but there are about 40 Horis and io
Shashahs.
The plain of Dhufar could be crossed with field guns, but the track along the coast
which connects the plain with the Murbat anchorage would be difficult for artillery.
The gaths in the Samhan hills become altogether impassable in the rainy season.
The Al Kathir and Qara tribes possess many camels ; other transport animals are
scarce.
A land route connects Salalah in Dhufar with Adam in 'Oman Proper, but it is an
arduous one and the journey occupies about a moflth ; water in some parts is met
with only at intervals of two marches. This route leaves Dhufar by Wadi Jarziz,
traverses the district called Qatan behind Jabal Samhan, approaches the sea at Jazir
and then bears direct for Adam, passing on the way through a locality called Dhahr.
There is no direct route between Dhufar and Central Arabia.
Trade, shipping and resources. —There are no manufactures. By far the most valu-
able export is frankincense from the Samhan hills, which is mostly carried to Bombay
in native boats, about 9,000 ewt. being sent there annually. Other exports are hides,
sheep-skins, gums, bees' wax, bitter aloes, and at times ghi; these also are for the
most part hill products. Imports are chiefly rice, sugar, jowari, dates and dyed cloth
from Bombay; but small quantities of goods are brought also from Aden and Mukalla,
particularly tobacco from Mukalla; and in summer a few traders in piece-goods
visit Dhufar from Shihr, returning to their homes in the cold weather.
The best quality, which Dhufar people call liban laid, is obtained at spots called
Hoye and Haski, about four days' journey inland from Murbat, where the Qara
mountains slope down towards the Najd desert. The second quality known as liban
resimi comes from near Cape Risut. Some of marketable quality comes from Chisen
near Rakhyut.— {Bent, pages 252-3).
One sea-going boat was formerly owned in Dhufar ; it was a hadan which made
voyages between Murbat and Makalla, but it has now disappeared. Boatg from Makalla,
*3ur, Bahrain and Kuwait frequently call at Dhufar to trade or to obtain provisions,
and business with Bombay is carried on chiefly by means of boats belonging to Sur.
Dhufar merchants used occasionally to charter Indian hidiyahs from Sind, but this
is no longer done and trade is said to be falling off.