3863
KEREK.
of his property. Latterly his influence has been sustained chiefly
by the Christians, the Turks being jealous of the great personal reputation ¬
he has acquired among the Bedouins.
These Bedouins are divided into different tribes (4,4), of which
the Dhamour („) and Beni Neym are the most numerous. Each
tribe has its Sheikh, who consults with the chief Sheikh in affairs
of consequence. The Christians of Kerek have also two individuals -
whom they style their Sheikhs, and who, in conjunction with
the priest, are the directors of the affairs of their community.
Four years since, the people of Kerek became Wahabis, but
they have never yet paid full tribute to Ibn Saoud; and it seems
that the latter knows enough of politics not to try to enforce what
he is very doubtful in obtaining by such means. He is apparently ¬
upon very good terms with the Sheikh of Kerek, and even
sent him considerable presents last year, for having collected from
the southern Arabs eighty dollars, due to him by these Arabs. Ibn
Saoud has also conferred on him the title of Emir of all the Bedouins
to the south of Damascus, as far as the Red sea ; and is unceasingly
exhorting him to make war upon the infidel Turks; he has likewise
written to the Christians, to exhort them to pay him their capitation ¬
tax, but hitherto without effect. A few days before my arrival
at Kerek two Wahabi tax-gatherers arrived from Medina, where
Ibn Saoud then was, but they departed without obtaining a single
piastre. During their stay, however, tobacco was banished from the
stranger’s room at the Sheikh’s house, in conformity with the religious -
practices of the Wahabi, and the Turks shewed their adherence -
to the faith by going regularly to prayers, which very few
of them are in the habit of doing, the Sheikh excepted.
The inhabitants of Kerek being thus exempted, by their own
strength, from all taxes and impositions, it might be supposed that
they are wealthy. This, however, is not the case : the great hos¬
