35-i REPORT — 1894. 



The Exploration of Hadramout in Southern Arabia. — Beport of the 

 Committee, consisting of Mr. H. Seebohm (Ghairma.n), Mr. J. 

 Theodore Bent (Secretary), Mr. E. G. Ravenstein, Dr. J. G. 

 Garson, and Mr. G. W. Bloxam. (Braini up by Mr. Bent.) 



Our expedition left Aden on December 15, 1893, for Mokulla, the sea- 

 port from which we were to start inland for the Hadramout valley. The 

 coast-line of this part of Arabia is peculiarly harbourless, and the only 

 ports for the Hadramout valley are Mokulla and Sheher, the former being- 

 only available during the north-east monsoons, a,nd the latter being merely 

 an open roadstead. Sheher was until late years the most flourishing of 

 the two places, but the transfer of the suzei'ainty over these places to the 

 Al Kaiti family has resulted in Mokulla becoming by far the most thriving 

 of the two, and Sheher is gradually falling into ruins. 



Before describing the interior it will be well to explain the conditions. 

 of political affairs in the Hadramout and the origin of the Al Kaiti family 

 which rules there. At present this is the most powerful family in the dis- 

 trict, and is reputed to be the richest in Arabia. 



About five generations ago the Sayyids of the Aboubekir family, at 

 that time the chief Arab family in the Hadramout, who claimed descent 

 from the first of tlie Caliphs, were at variance with the Bedouin tribes, 

 and in their extremity they invited assistance from the chiefs of the Yafi 

 tribe, who inhabit the Yafi district, to the north-east of Aden. To this 

 request the Al Kaiti family responded by sending assistance to the Say- 

 yids of the Hadramout, and putting down the troublesome Bedouin tribes, 

 and establishing a fair amount of peace and prospei'ity in the country, 

 though even to this day the Bedouins of the mountains are ever ready to 

 swoop down and hai-ass the more peaceful inhabitants of the towns. At 

 the same time the Al Kaiti family established themselves in the Hadra- 

 mout, and for the last four generations have been steadily adding to the 

 power thus acquired. Mokulla, Sheher, Shibam, Haura, Hagarein, all 

 belong to them, and they are continually increasing by purchase the area 

 of their influence in the collateral valleys, building substantial palaces, 

 and establishing one of the most powerful dynasties in this much divided 

 country. They get all their money from India and the Straits Settlements, for 

 it has been the custom of the Hadrami to leave their own somewhat sterile 

 country to seek their fortunes abroad. The Nizam of Hyderabad has an 

 Arab regiment composed entirely of Hadrami, and the Sultan Nawasjung, 

 the present head of the Al Kaiti family, is its general : he lives in India, 

 and governs his Arabian possessions by deputy. His son Ghalib rules in 

 Sheher, his nephew Manassah rules in Mokulla, and his nephew Salah 

 rules in Shibam, and the governors of the other towns are mostly connec- 

 tions of this family. The power and wealth of this family are almost the 

 only guarantee for peace and prosperity in an otherwise lawless country. 



The configuration of the country is interesting and very peculiar ; the 

 coast-line all the way from Mokulla to Saihut is hopelessly arid and un- 

 productive, except where hot springs come out of the ground. That at 

 Ghail ba Wazir, about twelve miles from Sheher, is utilised for the culti- 

 vation of tobacco, palms, and fodder ; that at Al Hami is exceedingly hot, 

 so hot that when it rises the hand can hardly bear it ; that at Dis also 



