Albu Salih
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- Bani Malik بني مالك
- Bani A'arid بني عارض
- Shammar شمّر
(In the past, today own autonomy)
| Albu Salih البوصالح | |
|---|---|
| Tribal Confederation in the Muntafiq Emirate | |
| Ethnicity | Arabs |
| Nisba | Alsalihi الصالحي |
| Location | Lower Euphrates and North East Arabia |
| Descended from |
|
| Language | Arabic |
| Religion | Islam |
The Albu Salih tribe (Arabic: آلبو صالح) is an Arab tribe from the Bani Malik of the Al-Muntafiq.[1]
During the 18th century, the Albu Salih transformed into a tribal confederation (a warfare alliance) due to their opposition against the Ottoman Empire influence in the region. This alliance helped reduce the internal conflicts between other neighboring clans that later on joined, and claim of different Arab tribal origins.[2]
The Albu Salih grew in power, and under the leadership of Shaikh Badr Al Rumaiyadh, they had become the most influential tribe in the Bani Malik region of the Muntafiq Emirate. This resulted in Shaikh Bader's rise to become the paramount Shaikh of the Bani Malik region.[3][4][2]
Settled Branches of Albu Salih
In the past, the tribe consisted of both settled villagers, and semi-nomads.[5][6][7][8]
The settled branches settled in villages, near the great marshes of the Albu Salih tribal territory (click to see map in 1941), known today as the district of Al' Islah (in Dhi Qar). The district was established by Shaikh Sulaiman bin Mansur Al Nasrallah in 1918.[1][9][10]
The Albu Salih territory was rich in arable land, and marshes, which promoted agriculture for the cultivator sections of the tribe. The sophisticated geography of the Marshes, was in great advantage of Shaikh Bader's resistance against the British forces.[6]
Nomadic Branches of Albu Salih
Historically the bedouin semi-nomads of Albu Salih, would migrate south into the desert annually during autumn. They would camp, and herd their livestock in the North Eastern parts of Arabia.[7][8][11][12](Southern Iraq;[13] Northern and Western Kuwaiti territories today[14]).
The Albu Salih clans were known to be well armed, and would migrate, through the Wadi Batin valley moving into Kuwait, reaching the Arabian Gulf coast. Alongside them usually were other Muntafiq tribes such as "Shuraifat", "Juwarin", "Al Aunan", as well as other clans of the Bani Malik.[7][15][11][16][17]
The Albu Salih bedouins during this migration would tend to trade with locals of nearby villages, and towns of Kuwait.[7][11][14]
By the end of the spring season the Albu Salih nomads, would migrate back north to their tribal territory for the summer.[7]
During the 1940s and early 1950s a majority of the Albu Salih nomads had left the nomadic lifestyle and settled. They had settled in countries, cities, and towns that were either part of, or close to the indigenous lands of the Muntafiq.
Location of Albu Salih today
Members of this tribe today are located in Iraq, Kuwait, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
In Iraq, the Albu Salih are concentrated in Al Islah (Arabic: الأصلاح), in the province of Dhi Qar; they can also be found in Amarah, Basra (Safwan; Zubayr), and Al Diwaniyah.
Shaikh Sabah bin Fares bin Mohsen bin Bader Al Rumaiyadh is the current leader of the Albu Salih
Sections of Albu Salih
The Main Sections of the Albu Salih are:[9][7][2][18][8]
- Al Rumaiyadh (آل رميض) - Bani Malik (بني مالك)
- Al Nasrallah (آل نصرالله) - Shammar (of Abdah section, Alzagareet) (شمّر من عبده الزقاريط)
- Al Khlawi (الخليوي) - Bani A'ridh (بني عارض)
- Al Omar (آل عمر) - Rabe'a (ربيعة)
- Al Yosha'a (سادة آل يوشع) - Bani Hashem (بني هاشم)
- Al Araytham (العريثم)
- Al Tarayma (الترايمة)
- Al Kurdi (الكردي)
- Al Zrgan (الزرقان)
- Al Rahal (الرحال)
- Al Nahar (النهار)
- Al Safafaa (الصفافعه)
- Al Shamla (الشملة)
- Al Shahr (الشاهر)
- Al Qoba (ال كوبع)
Battle of Shaiba
The Battle of Shaiba took place during the First World War in 1915, between the British Empire, and the Ottoman Empire at an area called Shaiba near Basrah. The Albu Salih tribesmen fought alongside the Ottomans, and the Muntafiq, under the leadership of the Al Sadun family (Emirs of the Muntafiq) trying to retake back the city of Basrah from the British.[9][2][19][20]
The Albu Salih fought in this battle, due to the Fatwa of Jihad that was released by religious scholars in 1914, against the foreign British forces. Although it was well known during that time, all the tribesman of Albu Salih, and their leaders had a long time rivalry, as well as hatred towards the Ottomans.[2][19]
After the Battle of Shaiba, and the loss of his two sons, Shaikh Bader vowed to never submit or surrender to the British occupation. This vow led to many other battles that took place in the years to follow.[19][2][20]
