Soqotra
Socotra or Soqotra or Suqutra (Arabic:سقطرى
is the largest island in Yemen, approximately (3,625 km²) 130 Km long by and about 30 Km wide and has a population of about 70,000; a population who have their own distinct language and culture; and who also speak Arabic. The coastal area is inhabited by fishermen; a majority of whom are of African origin and live in African huts. Whereas the valleys are inhabited by nomads of Arab origin; and the mountain regions are inhabited by nomads and descendants of an old South Arabian tribe who still speak the old Arabian dialect Socotri, which is related to the Mahri dialect. Having been virtually isolated from the rest of the world for a long period, Socotra remains one of the most fascinating places on Earth. Many animals and plants that are today on Socotra - are found nowhere else on earth. Socotra has been isolated biologically for several million years, and about one-third of the animals and plants on the Island, are only found there.
The Major Urban Centers of Hadhramaut
Al Mukalla: (Arabic: المكلا‎
was originally a small fishing settlement called Khaisa or Bandar Ya'aqoub; it was then, dwarfed by Al Sheher in the East and Broum in the West. It has gradually, and of late - rapidly, grown and expanded and is today the largest city and main trading center in Hadhramout, with about half a million people; it has, too, the largest sea port and airport in Eastern Yemen. Mukalla is made up of: Al Salaam - the old part and center, which is still the main trading and busiest part of Mukalla; and many people still live within it. Shaerj - which is slowly taking over from Al Salaam as the main commercial area; it too, is densely populated. Al Dees - has the two largest private hospitals and some hotels and shops; it is more of a residential area and it has a large population. Fowah - which is about 10 kms. from the center of main Mukalla, is the most pleasant, modern and quietest part of the city; it is being planned as the future commercial and trading center of the city; it is much better planned and its buildings, unlike those of the older areas, are well spaced. Bweysh and Rooqob - are a few kms. too, out of Mukalla proper; they are quiet and well planned too. And Riyyan is where the city's airport is located; it is an international port receiving flights from within and out of Yemen.
Seiyoun: (Arabic: سيئون‎
, is about 320 kms., inland, from Al Mukalla. It has a population of about 100,000, is the largest urban center and capital of Wadi Hadhramaut. It's famous for its splendid, intricately built mud bricked houses; and its palm trees and wonderful souqs in narrow streets, where: frankincense, myrrh, antique silver and authentic Hadhramy souvenirs are sold.
Tarim: is about 35 kms. nort-east of Seiyoun. It was once the cultural, academic and theological center not only for Hadhramout, but the whole of the Arabian Peninsula. Tarim has lost most of its glory and splendor but it still is a center for Islamic scholars and education.
Al Qat'n: is about 270 kms. from Mukalla and about 50 kms. before Seiyoun, south-west of it. Commercially, it is the second busiest urban center after Seiyoun in Wadi Hadhramaut.
Shibam: a city of of tall buildings, clustered together; built of bricks made of mud and straw; and surrounded by a fortified wall. Nearly 2000 years old. Several times, it has been the capital of Hadhramaut. It has been, in the past, an important center for trade in the Arabian Peninsula. And since 1982, has been on UNESCO's programme for safeguarding cultural heritages. It is between Al Qat'n and Seiyoun and is often referred to as "the oldest skyscraper-city in the world", or "the Manhattan of the desert".
Ghail Bawazeer: is about 35 kms. east of Mukalla. It is a small quiet, sleepy town with little commercial activity; and farmed land on its fringes. Grown are: coconut palms, tobacco, fruits, vegetables and henna.
Shay'her: in the olden days, its sea-port was much busier than Mukalla's. It flourished as a transit point for frankinsence and the main traveling/transit point for Hadharem going to East Africa, Indonesia and India. Presently, its port is almost dead but the town has rapidly expanded and commercially grown. It is the second main urban and commercial center, after Mukalla, on the Hadhramaut coast.
Al Hajrayn: is about 70 kms. south-west of Al Qat'n. It is a small twown which is more of a village, in the the Wady Do'an. It is famous for its cluster of mud-bricked houses perched on the side of a hill. It is a popular tourist destination.
Huraidha: is a very small, quiet town about 50 kms. south-west of Al Qat'n. It is at the entrance of Wady Do'an and has some old ruins not far from it.
Thamood: (Arabic: ثمود‎
is in the far north-east of Hadhramaut and could be the historical location mentioned in the Noble Qur'an. Thamood is a quiet, small shopping center with few shops; located in a flat barren area, close to the Rub Al Khali desert.
Hadibo and Qalansya (Soqotra): are the largest residential areas on the Island with most of the ‎Island's population living in them.
The Progenies of Hadhramout
In the olden days - Hadhramout's importance came mainly from it having been a very important route of the incense trade, which made it prosperous and strong. The Hadharem, as the people of Hadhramout are called, love traveling and adventures. Historically, few Arabs have traveled as extensively as Hadhramys have; and fewer have left their marks in other parts of the World, as the people of Hadhramout have done. Be it in Saudi Arabia or the Gulf countries; be it in Eastern Africa; or, be it in the Southern or Far East of Asia - Indonesia, Malayasia, Singapore, Brunei, India etcetera. - the Hadharem, through their peacefully spreading Islam, knowledge or doing business, have played major, and some times - influential roles, in these parts of the World.
Abu Zayd 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn Khaldun al-Hadhrami; Mari* bin Amude Alkatiri, the former Prime Minister of East Timor; and many other more notable World personalities - have one thing in common: they are all descendants of Hadhramy migrants; from Hadhramout. Many reasons have been given for the 'Hadhramy Diaspora' but the best can be that of the: 'Hadhramy trader, who often like Sindbad the sailor, risked his life and capital to set sail upon the sea and to go about the islands of South East Asia buying and selling'. The Hadharem, just like and love traveling and exploring. The further and the more unknown - the better.
'The Arabs from Hadramaut have been migratory from time immemorial'; and they have traveled and migrated not only to South East Asia, but to almost every corner of the World: North Africa, the Horn of Africa, East Africa, Central and Southern Africa, India, the Far East and Europe - all have large Hadhramy migrants or their descendants. And in the recent last few years, many too, have migrated to the Americas and Europe.
It is mainly the Hadharem who introduced and spread Islam to most parts of Eastern Africa, South and South East Asia; and the Far East. And this, only in the last few centuries. The Hadharem spread far and wide and would always choose to settle down in these far regions and inter-marry with the indigenous people of that area, who have become Muslims.
The Hadharem are renowned for their extensive knowledge on Islam and for their strong business acumen; and many International scholars and businessmen of note, are of Hadhramy origin. Today, the Hadharem - not only have a strong, solid presence in Yemen; but, in the neighboring countries of the Arabian Peninsular too; and do still, have a strong presence in some of the remotest parts of the World: Eastern Africa and South East Asia - in particular.
Today, there are many more Hadharem outside Yemen, than there are within. There are probably 10 to 15 million Hadhramy descendants living out of Hadhramout. Most of whom have lost contact with their origins, but many still keep and maintain the conservative, religious, humble and at the same time - fiercely proud nature of the Hadharem.
Hadhramout's Social Structure
Hadhramaut’s social structure is based on a tribal system. The tribes are classified into levels of nobility based upon genealogy and responsibility. Most tribes are ruled by a ‘sheikh‘ which is a hereditary title. His responsibilities include: administering justice, protecting the tribe, sustaining tribal status, and providing grazing territory for the herds. The territories are staunchly defended, partly by monitoring all of the goods and persons that pass through it. Normally, when a ‘sheikh’ passes away – his son takes over.
Most Hadharem surnames, start with Ba or Bin or Al; and it’s mainly in that last name whereby a persons social status is defined. At the top of the Hadhramy society are the Sayyids who are not rulers or tribal chiefs, but are families who are considered to have special qualities of supernatural kind in nobility and spiritual powers; the title has been given to them in honour of their being said to be descendants of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). After the Sayyids are the ‘Shaikhs‘ (not the tribal leader ‘sheikhs‘
but a tribal group of people who, like the Sayyids – are considred to be more knowledgeable, especially in religion. Both the Sayyids and the ‘Shaikhs‘ have dominated Hadhramy society with their sheer power over knowledge. After the two, come the ‘Gabails‘ or ‘warrior’ tribes, whose power comes almost wholly from their being considered as the bravest in warfare and their possessing the most armaments. It’s the ‘Gabails‘ who are headed by ‘sheikhs‘ and it’s they who have always fought each other – in the past – for supremacy. ‘Gabails‘ too, are rarely interested in knowledge or education, believing more in the power of arms. After the three comes the ‘Masaakins‘ or the ‘poor’ – not poor in material possessions but meaning ‘poor’ in knowledge and armaments. Last are the ‘Abids‘ or the ‘slaves’ who are descendants of former slaves, mainly African.
With the rapid development and modernization in Hadhramaut, all this social structure is now fast disintegrating and changing.
Families
Families in Hadhramout are solidly built and maintained; families are the most important core of Hadhramy life. In all families in Hadhramout, men are the head, protectors and spokesmen for families; and are the main bread earners - but it is the girls and women who play the most central role and are actually the moving forces behind most families. It is the women who are the main and central foundation of families.
At home, the girls' and women's areas, will always be more comfortable and secure than any other section of the home. While traveling too, the women are given the most considerations; with their comfort and safety very much considered. Women and girls too, will spend more of the family income for their personal needs, than either boys or men.
At the same time, women work hard at home: taking care of the children and the household, preparing meals; and for some - working hard in the fields or taking care of the family herd. Men shop for most of what are needed; women normally go shopping for all kitchen utensils, and for the children's and their own clothing.
Though polygamy is allowed, it is most rare around Hadhramout; and divorce too, is most rare It seems, once children come - divorce is almost unthinkable of. The only way one can explain this, is - again, the very important consideration that is given to women and families.
