The Arabs of the Djebel Haouran are the shepherds of the people of the
plains, who entrust to them in summer and winter their flocks of goats
and sheep, which they pasture during the latter season amongst the rocks
of the mountains. In spring the Arabs return the flocks to their owners,
who sell a part of them at Damascus, or make butter from the milk during
the spring months. The Arabs receive for their trouble one-fourth of the
lambs and kids, and a like proportion of the butter. Casual losses in
the flocks are borne equally by both parties.
The following are the different tribes of the Ahl el Djebel;
Esshenabele, El Hassan, El Haddie, Ghiath, Essherefat, Mezaid, El Kerad,
Beni Adhan, and Szammeral. Of those of the Ledja I have already spoken.
The Ahl el Djebel are always at peace with the other Arabs; but those of
the Ledja are often at war with the Fehily and Serdie. I come now to the
second class, or wandering Arabs.
In May the whole Haouran is coverered with swarms of wanderers from the
desert, who remain there till after September; these are at present
almost exclusively of the tribe of Aeneze. Formerly the Haouran was
often visited by the Sherarat, from the Mekka road, at fifteen stations
from Damascus; by the Shammor, from Djebel Shammor, and by the Dhofir
from the Irak country. On the arrival of the Aeneze, the resident Arabs
who may happen to be at war with them, conceal themselves in the
neighbourhood of the western mountain or in the Szaffa, or they retire
towards Mezareib and Szannamein. The Aeneze come for a two-fold purpose,
water and pasturage for the summer, and a provision of corn for the
winter. If they are at peace with the Pasha they encamp quietly among
the villages, near the springs or wells if at
[p.309]war with him, for their relations with the government of Damascus
are as uncertain as their own with each other, they keep in the district
to the S. of Boszra, towards Om Eddjemal and Fedhein, extending their
limits south as far as El Zerka. The Pasha generally permits them to
purchase corn from the Haouran, but in years when a scarcity is
apprehended, a restriction is put upon them.
Till within a few years the Aeneze were the constant carriers of the
Hadj, and made yearly contracts with the Pasha for several thousand
camels, by which they were considerable gainers, as well as by the fixed
tribute which many of their Sheikhs had made themselves entitled to from
the pilgrim caravan; and by their nightly plunder of stragglers, and
loaded camels during the march.
