The Ghafalah (singular Al Ghafli) is an Arab tribe of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[1]
Origins
editAn entirely Bedouin tribe at the turn of the 20th century, the Ghafalah roamed the Jiri Plain inland of Ras Al Khaimah and particularly Umm Al Quwain,[2] but did not extend their dar, or roaming territory, into the Hajar Mountains or even their foothills.[3] At the time numbering some 500 in strength, by 1968 their numbers had dwindled to 197 people living in the five northern Emirates.[4]
A Ghafiri tribe, the Ghafalah were close to the Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and often supported them in conflict. They claimed precedence over a number of wells inland, often sharing these with the Khawatir.[5] They subsisted mainly by selling firewood and charcoal in the coastal towns, and by the produce of their 700 camels, 1,000 sheep and goats as well as cattle and donkeys.[3] They also carried goods such as dates across inland routes to service coastal traders.[6]
The Ghafalah were one of a number of tribes opposed to oil exploration taking place inland of the Trucial States, particularly in the late 1940s,[7] frequently allying with the Khawatir, who frustrated the coastal Qawasim rulers in granting oil concessions and access to the interior.[8]
References
edit- ^ Heard-Bey, Frauke (2005). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. London: Motivate. p. 71. ISBN 1860631673. OCLC 64689681.
- ^ William Lancaster; Fidelity Lancaster (2011). Honour is in Contentment: Life Before Oil in Ras Al-Khaimah (UAE). Walter de Gruyter. p. 132. ISBN 978-3110223392.
- ^ a b Lorimer, John (1915). Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf Vol II. British Government, Bombay. p. 572.
- ^ Heard-Bey, Frauke (2005). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. London: Motivate. p. 76. ISBN 1860631673. OCLC 64689681.
- ^ William Lancaster; Fidelity Lancaster (2011). Honour is in Contentment: Life Before Oil in Ras Al-Khaimah (UAE). Walter de Gruyter. p. 512. ISBN 978-3110223392.
- ^ William Lancaster; Fidelity Lancaster (2011). Honour is in Contentment: Life Before Oil in Ras Al-Khaimah (UAE). Walter de Gruyter. p. 135. ISBN 978-3110223392.
- ^ William Lancaster; Fidelity Lancaster (2011). Honour is in Contentment: Life Before Oil in Ras Al-Khaimah (UAE). Walter de Gruyter. p. 371. ISBN 978-3110223392.
- ^ Heard, David (2013). From pearls to oil: how the oil industry came to the United Arab Emirates (Reprinted ed.). Dubai Abu Dhabi London: Motivate Publishing. p. 380. ISBN 978-1-86063-311-9.