The Baluchis (Balush)
| The Baluchis (Balush) | |
|---|---|
| Arab tribe | |
| Ethnicity | Arab[1] |
| Location | Al-Dhahirah (Oman) Al-Ain City (UAE) |
| Descended from | Al-Azd[2] |
| Branches | Al Ismail |
| Language | Arabic |
| Religion | Sunni Islam (Hanbali School)[3] |
The Baluchis or Balush (Arabic: البلوش) singular Baluchi or Balushi[4] (Arabic: البلوشي) is an independent middle-sized tribe that inhabits the Dhahirah region between the Trucial Coast and the Sultanate of Oman.
Migration
[edit]
Thousands of Baluch immigrants have crossed the narrow waters separating their homeland from eastern Arabia and settled among the Arabs. The hardworking nature of the Baluch has allowed them to thrive in their new environments. Some observers believe that the Baluch will play a key role in shaping the future of Muscat and Oman. They are commonly found in both the Sultan's and Imam's territories, sometimes in small groups, other times in larger communities. There are generally two types: recent arrivals and long-established settlers. The newcomers often serve as mercenaries, particularly along the truce coast, where some join the British Government’s service. The Baluch discussed here, however, are part of the second group — the long-established settlers.[6]
Settlements
[edit]The Baluchis of Dhahirah hold part of the village of Al-Araqi in Wadi Al-Kabir and also own three villages in Dhahirah: Al-Mazem, Al-Subaikhi, and Masharib, all located roughly northwest of Ibri. Thesiger, in his 1949 account, describes his travels through these regions, stating: "Beyond Ibri, we enter the territories of the Baluchis, the Bani Qitab of the South, and the Al-Bu Shamis. These tribes do not recognize the authority of the Imam. It was uncertain how they would respond to my arrival. The discovery of oil along the Sea-Truce Coast had fueled the ambitions and suspicions of neighboring tribes, who became fiercely protective of their rights. Although they are engaged in efforts to secure or expand their territorial claims, their current stance is to exclude all Europeans from their land." Al-Mazem serves as the center for the Baluchis residing in these four villages, but it is not the capital for all the Baluchis in Oman and the Sultanate of Muscat.[7]
About the tribe
[edit]The Balūch of Dhahirah have long been a significant part of the settled population in the region between the Trucial Coast and the Sultanate. These Balūchis aren’t identified with the Balūch who came from the former Omani territory of Makrān (now part of Pakistan) to serve as mercenaries in the Sultan's army, or those who settled in Muscat, the Bāținah coastal towns, and the Trucial States as traders and fishermen (around 1,400 according to the Gazetteer), the Balūch of Dhahirah have a distinct identity. While other Balūch groups maintained their language, the Dhahirah Balūch are organized tribally, living in an exclusive area around their capital, Mazām. They are Sunni Muslims and speak Arabic.[8][9]
Origins
[edit]The Baluchis living in the southeastern region of Dhahirah have integrated so completely into the local culture over the centuries that they are nearly indistinguishable from the surrounding Arabs. They claim descent from the Qahtanite Arabs, whose ancestors migrated from Arabia to Baluchistan long ago. While some Arabs in Oman consider the Baluchis of Dhahirah to be of Arab heritage, others challenge this view.[10][11]
Relations and conflicts
[edit] | This section needs additional citations for verification. (November 2024) |
This explains their generally strong relationship with the Bani Yas, particularly the co-operation between their shaikh and the Al Bu Falah in the Buraimi area.[8]
During a period of shifting tribal alliances in the early 20th century, the Baluch of Mazām found themselves in conflict with their former protectors, the Bani Qitab. As the Bedouin Bani Qitab launched an attack on Mazām, resulting in casualties, the Baluch sought assistance from Zayid bin Khalifah.[13]
The Baluch and Bani Qitab
[edit]In February 1906, Shaikh Zayid bin Khalifah gathered his forces with the goal of supporting the Baluch of Mazām and securing blood money from the Bani Qitab on their behalf. While the Bani Qitab struggled to gain support, the young Rashid bin Ahmad of Umm al-Qaiwain saw the conflict as a chance to challenge Shaikh Zayid’s influence over the inland tribes. However, a full-scale war over the Baluch dispute was averted when Trucial rulers and inland shaikhs met in Khawānij near Dubai in April 1906. This meeting resulted in a written agreement outlining the rulers' respective spheres of influence among the Bedouin. As part of the agreement, Shaikh Zayid bin Khalifah took responsibility for addressing all claims, "whether important or trifling," that the Baluch had against the Bani Qitab, and he tasked his wali, Aḥmad bin Hilal, with following up on these matters.[13][14]
The Tribe Approach
[edit]In the 1950s, the Baluch, like neighboring tribes, adhered to the tribal structure of society and sought to leverage their political importance. They used the strong interest of both the Sultan of Oman and the King of Saudi Arabia in securing the loyalty of these tribes, particularly as oil exploration began in their region, to secure favorable political deals and substantial subsidies.[13]
The Hinawi Grouping
[edit]The influential Bani Ali tribe, which has traditionally backed the Hinawi Al Ba Sa'id Sultan, resides in the Wadi Dhank and Yanqul areas, near the Al Bu Falah-controlled region of Al Ain. The Baluch of Dhahirah have also been long-time supporters of the Hinawiyah. Beyond this prominent Hinawi group to the west of the Hajar range, there has been a significant connection with tribes from the north, including the Shihuh, the Habus, and the Zaab, all of whom are also Hinawi. The largest Hinawi tribe, aside from the Bani Yas, is the Sharqiyin of Fujairah, located on the East Coast.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ Heard-Bey, Frauke (2005). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates: A Society in Transition. Motivate. p. 448. ISBN 978-1-86063-167-2. OCLC 1423672447.
This does not apply to the members of the tribe called Balush, which has been in Dhahirah for a very long time and is accepted as if it were an Arab tribe.
- ^ Al-Blooshi, Dr. Khaled Suleiman (2006). Abu Dhabi during the era of Zayed The First: 1855-1909. Makarem LLC, 2013. p. 63. ISBN 9789948168355.
- ^ Oman and the southern coast of the Persian gulf.
The fact that the Baluchis of these settlements are Hanbalites, with the exception of a group of Hanafites in al-Araqi, helps to explain this sympathy.
- ^ Heard-Bey, Frauke (1996). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. Better World Books. London : Longman. p. 525. ISBN 978-0-582-27728-1. OCLC 38355501.
Balush (singl. Balūshi: tribe living in Eastern Arabia) 31, 64-5,66, 277
- ^ Heard-Bey, Frauke (1996). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates: A Society in Transition. Longman. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-582-78032-3. OCLC 1158665719.
- ^ Oman and the southern coast of the Persian gulf. p. 186.
- ^ Oman and the southern coast of the Persian Gulf. p. 179.
- ^ a b Heard-Bey, Frauke (1996). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. Better World Books. London : Longman. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-582-27728-1. OCLC 128085175. Cite error: The named reference ":12" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Principal shaikhs and tribes of Oman. 1952. p. 53.
- ^ Oman and the southern coast of the Persian gulf. pp. 186–187.
They themselves say that they are of Arab stock, their ancestors being men of Qahtan who left Arabia for Baluchistan centuries ago.
- ^ 2274.8573.389 Saudi Arabia. al-Tahkim li-taswiyat v.1. p. 94.
They themselves say that they are from Arab stock, their ancestors being men who left Arabia for Baluchistan centuries ago. Many of the Arabs from al-Dhahirah agree that these Baluchis are to be reckoned as Arabs.
- ^ Heard-Bey, Frauke (1996). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. Better World Books. London : Longman. p. 418. ISBN 978-0-582-27728-1. OCLC 38355501.
103 See Kelly, Eastern, p. 231, who quotes the example of Sa'id bin Rashid, the son of the shaikh of the Balūch at 'Arāqi; he visited Saudi Arabia several times and eventually became the most active supporter of the Saudis in that area.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
:122was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Al-Blooshi, Dr. Khaled Suleiman. Abu Dhabi in the era of Zayed the first: 1855-1909. p. 63.
- ^ Heard-Bey, Frauke (1982). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates: A Society in Transition. Longman. p. 277. ISBN 978-0-582-78032-3. LCCN 82016212. OL 3496177M.
The Balush of Dhahirah have also traditionally supported the Hinawiyah.