Bertram Thomas’s “Arabia Felix” is a captivating travel memoir that takes readers on a journey through the rugged and enchanting landscapes of the Qara Mountains in Oman. As one of the earliest Western explorers to document his experiences in this remote region, Thomas provides a unique insight into the culture, traditions, and social systems of the tribes that inhabit this mystical land. The historical significance of the Qara Mountains, the evolution of tribal dominance, and the intricate customs and laws of the Qara tribes are expertly covered depicted in Thomas’s writings.
Key Takeaways
- The Qara Mountains are named after the Shahara tribe, reflecting their historical significance in the region.
- The Qara Mountains have been a safe haven for tribes seeking refuge and independence from lowland politics.
- The Shahara tribe’s dominance in the region eventually gave way to the rise of the Qara tribe.
- The Qara tribe’s customs, traditions, and unique characteristics are highlighted, including matriarchal inheritance practices and mourning rituals.
- Other tribes inhabiting the Qara Mountains, such as the Mahra, Barahama, and Afar, contribute to the cultural diversity of the region.
Historical Significance of the Qara Mountains
Bertram Thomas’s portrayal of the Qara Mountains presents readers with far more than picturesque scenes of untouched wilderness; it elegantly exposes layers of history and the intricacies of tribal culture deeply interwoven with the very nature of the area itself. The Qara Mountains are named after the Shahara tribe, a historical nugget Thomas emphasizes due to its distinct importance.
The Qara Mountains, geographically in the centre of this South Arabian ethnological enclave, seem to have afforded a natural asylum for aborigines or early settlers driven south and east before more virile peoples, or attacked from the sea.
Bertram Thomas: Arabia Felix
From the earliest times, the rugged beauty of the Qara Mountains has been a safe haven for tribes seeking refuge and independence from lowland Omani politics. Among these tribes, the Shahara were the first to settle in the area, drawn to the mountainous territory that offered not only defensive advantages but also self-sustainability. Their influence was felt so strongly that their name was given to the mountains. Over time, their power on these highlands would wane, but their impact remains indelible in the evocative name: Qara Mountains.
The detailed descriptions Thomas offers transport readers to the heart of the Qara Mountains and the tribes that call this region home. The author’s focus on the physicality of the landscape and the cultural depth it embodied. He chronicled various tribes, each distinctive in their way of life and traditions. These included the customs of hunting and gathering, peculiarities in the practice of agriculture, the distinct art of pottery-making, and the tribes’ spiritual beliefs deeply tied to the natural world surrounding them.
Transcending witness-style reporting, Thomas also shared a profound appreciation for the natural beauty of the Qara Mountains. For him, this region was a world apart, boasting jagged peaks, awe-inspiring views, and hidden valleys. From labyrinthine caves resonating with the whispers of the past to emerald terraces clinging precariously to the mountainsides, Thomas depicted the Qara Mountains as a living embodiment of natural grandeur coupled with human tenacity and adaptation.
What a glorious place! Mountains three thousand feet high basking above a tropical ocean, their seaward slopes velvety with waving jungle, their roofs fragrant with rolling yellow meadows, beyond which the mountains slope northwards to a red sandstone steppe. Two incongruous aspects, but true at any point throughout the strip above the Jurbaib plain. Great was my delight when in I 928 I suddenly came upon it all from out of the arid constantly stumbling over boulders in the path and my long Arab skirt swung awkwardly round my legs.
Bertram Thomas: Arabia Felix
Evolution of Tribal Dominance: From Shahara to Qara
The roots of the Shahara tribe, as Bertram Thomas elucidates, reach deep into ancient history. Thomas asserts that the Shahara tribe was the most ancient inhabitants of the region, their significance encompassed by the very mountains on which they dwelt. Noted for their exceptional survival skills and ability to adapt, the Shahara crafted a reputable identity within the rugged terrains of the Qara Mountains. This long-standing presence and the influence of Shahara formed the foundations of their sovereignty in the region.
However, as history unfurled, the Shahara began to dwindle, their numbers reduced and their rule gradually diminished. The very mountains named after them witnessed the transition from their dominance to a more subdued existence. As of Thomas’s writings, the Shahara were living under the authority of the Qara tribe, their glory days seeming more like ancient folklore rather than reality.
In a stark contrast to the dwindling Shahara tribe, the Qara tribe rose to the position of tribal dominance in the region. This shift of power is something that Thomas invests significant attention into, exploring the journey of the Qara tribe’s ascendancy from the reign of Dharbat ‘Ali to Hadhbaram. According to Thomas’s account, the Qara tribe proved their mettle by successfully navigating local socio-political tribulations and intricacies, eventually appointing themselves as the new guardians of the Qara Mountains.
Cultures and Customs of the Qara Mountains Tribes
Delving deeper into the tribal tapestry of the Qara Mountains, Bertram Thomas introduces readers to the customs, traditions, and intriguing characteristics of the Qara tribe. Not only does he entertain the readers with vivid descriptions of their diet staunchly rooted in local produce and wildlife, their unique attires and dwellings designed to withstand the harsh mountainous terrains, but he also offers absorbing details about their death rituals. Sharing how deaths are marked by solemn ceremonies, which often involve the community’s collective participation in disposing of the body and ensuing death anniversaries duly commemorated, Thomas offers an intimate glimpse into their unique approach to mortality.
Intriguingly, Thomas identifies a strong resemblance between the people of Dhufar, a significant component of the Qara tribe, and those of north-west Africa. Grasping the readers’ attention once again, he draws parallels to the observations made by the famous Arab Traveller, Ibn Battuta, on the similarities in their physical appearances, clothing, dietary habits, and mannerisms. This association magnifies the tribal complexities and cultural overlaps that transcend geographical distances, connecting people across continents.
Ibn Battuta, the famous Moorish traveller and theologian, writing in the fourteenth century of our era, after twenty-five years of travel through Egypt, Arabia and Mesopotamia, wrote of Dhufar: ‘Another thing is that its people closely resemble the people of north-west Africa in their customs … the outlying portion is not Arab, but of a Sudanic type.’
Bertram Thomas: Arabia Felix
In his attempt to paint a holistic picture of the Qara Mountains’ indigenous population, Thomas does not limit his exploration to the Qara tribe alone. He further broadens readers’ horizons by introducing other non-Arabic speaking tribes inhabiting the same mountain ranges. These tribes unfold exciting layers of cultural diversity residing within the boundaries of the Qara Mountains. The tribes, such as the Mahra, Barahama, Bilhaf, Bait ash Shaikh, Bautahara, Harasis, and Afar, all possess distinctive languages, traditions, and societal norms that contribute to the vibrancy and richness of the region’s tribal heritage.
The Intricacies of Qara Customs and Laws
Bertram Thomas was not content to merely observe and document the surface attributes of the Qara tribe. In his pursuit of a nuanced understanding of these mountain tribes, he dug deeper into their way of life to uncover the intricacies of their customs and social laws which served as their communal backbone. Particularly, he noted the laws of inheritance within the Qara tribe to be distinct and meticulously outlined. He observed the peculiarity of their system whereby properties and heirlooms were most often passed down through maternal lines, instead of the more commonly known patriarchal inheritance.
Thomas found this matriarchal tendency interesting, not only because of its divergence from Western legal systems but also due to its reflection of the women’s crucial role in the Qara tribal society. This form of inheritance also pointed to a depth of trust and respect for the women of the tribe, an aspect that further distanced the Qara from many other tribal societies of the time.
In addition to their unique inheritance laws, much of Thomas’s fascination was towards the Qara’s intricate procedures when dealing with death and mourning. During bereavement, the Qara tribes had an established custom of slaughtering cows, a practice Thomas perceived to be a demonstration of respect and the tribe’s attempt to alleviate the grief of loss through communal sharing.
Throughout these mountains it is the’ inviolable rule that one-half of a man’s cows shall be slaughtered as a sacrifice, after his death. Half his wealth must thus be dissipated for the state of his soul- Estate and Legacy Duty with a vengeance, though for a very poor man a single cow or sheep suffices. A limit of twenty cows may be set only for the wealthy man, i.e. one possessing upwards of forty head.
Two nights are allowed to pass and on the third night another cow is sacrificed. This is called khutum. A further period elapses, varying according to the means of the deceased’s relatives. It may be as little as a fortnight or as much as three months before the big sacrifice takes place, maybe of ten, fifteen or twenty cows, representing half of the deceased man’s herds. This is called yom el nahaira. Both khutum and nahaira are performed at the place where the man lived and not upon his grave.
Bertram Thomas: Arabia Felix
Moreover, Thomas elaborately described mourning restrictions for the Qara women which included a specific period of seclusion and stringent avoidance of any festivities. This, he recorded, was not merely a performance of grief but a deep-rooted anthropological practice held to guide the soul to rest and protect the living from spiritual unrest.
These glimpses into the customs and laws of the Qara as recorded by Thomas serve as a testament to the tribe’s resilience and unique ability to maintain their traditions despite the relentless march of time. Through Thomas’s eye, readers are indeed privileged to gain such an in-depth understanding of the custom-bound life of the Qara tribe in the rugged terrains of the Qara Mountains.
Personal Impressions of Bertram Thomas
Thomas had a strong fascination for the tribes inhabiting the Qara Mountains, this fascination led him to reside among the Qara tribe, interact, and become part of their daily lives. His experiences provide insights that bring the tribes to life on the pages of “Arabia Felix.” He appreciated the Qara tribe’s harmonious relationship with nature, their resilience against harsh living conditions, and the constant semblance of unity and conformity to their traditional customs that marked their society.
Thomas’s inevitable admiration for the Qara tribe is repeatedly apparent throughout his writings. He embraced their way of life, partook in their meals, listened to their traditional folklore, and witnessed their ceremonies. This immersion provided Thomas with first-hand experience and deep insights into their tribal customs and laws, enabling him to describe them with a degree of detail and understanding that would be impossible for a casual observer.
My medicine chest had acquired for me a spurious fame and, as ever, affiicted humanity was brought to me. This time it was a young boy, withered apparently by consumption, who spat blood and was subject to fevers. ‘Have you any medicine for this, 0 Wazir?’ asked a suppliant father. ‘Men say the infidels have drugs for everything.’ My companions stared at the speaker and let him understand that the term kafir was distasteful to me, though he really meant no harm, for he used the term to mean merely non-Muslim. ‘He is the Sultan’s Wazir,’ they said.
Bertram Thomas: Arabia Felix
Despite his many travels across the Middle East, Thomas repeatedly highlights the Qara Mountains as one of the most unique and spirited regions he had the privilege of exploring. This was not only due to their historical and geographical significance but was largely attributed to the tribes’ cultural richness, their distinctive customs, and unwavering resilience.
For the British explorer, his recording of the interplay of history, culture, and geography within these tribes is essential, as these aspects form a deeper contextual understanding of the region. His writing provides an authoritative travel log for ethnic studies scholars and an engaging narrative for history and travel enthusiasts, but also functions as a time capsule preserving the traditions and societies of the Qara Mountains tribes which are subject to the inevitable forces of change.
Conclusion
Thomas’s detailed exploration of the tribes, their customs, and laws offers readers a profound understanding of the unique culture and traditions that define the Qara Mountains and its inhabitants. From the historical significance of the Qara Mountains named after the Shahara tribe to the evolution of tribal dominance from Shahara to Qara, Thomas meticulously documents the transition of power and the impact it had on the region. Moreover, his vivid descriptions of the cultures and customs of the Qara Mountains tribes, including the Qara and other non-Arabic speaking tribes, shed light on the diverse tapestry of identities that call this rugged terrain home.
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of the Qara Mountains?
A: The Qara Mountains are named after the Shahara tribe, the first settlers in the area who sought independence and refuge from lowland politics.
Q: How did the Qara tribe transition to prominence in the region from the Shahara tribe?
A: Bertram Thomas details the rise of the Qara tribe to tribal dominance, navigating local socio-political challenges and appointing themselves as the guardians of the Qara Mountains.
Q: What are some of the customs and traditions of the Qara Mountains tribes?
A: Tribes in the Qara Mountains have unique customs such as death rituals, distinct attires, and diets based on local produce and wildlife.
Q: How did the Qara tribe evolve different from other tribes in the Qara Mountains?
A: The Qara tribe follows matriarchal inheritance laws, distinguishing them from patriarchal systems, and has intricate customs regarding mourning and bereavement.
Q: Who are the other tribes besides the Qara tribe living in the Qara Mountains?
A: The Mahra, Barahama, Bilhaf, Bait ash Shaikh, Bautahara, Harasis, and Afar are some of the non-Arabic speaking tribes inhabiting the Qara Mountains along with the Qara tribe.