Research, Policy and Practice
From: Pastoralism in Soqotra: external entanglements and communal mutations
Regions | Areas | Topography | Villages | Clans | Particularities |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northern 32% (14,000) | Hadiboh | Coast | Town | NA | Heterogeneous clan as well as ethnic composition with approximately 83 clans sharing 103 villages, thus giving it a centripetal settlement pattern. Its share of 32% of the population represents the highest concentration of relatively sedentary inhabitants on the island. They are engaged in diversified occupations (govt. staff, fishermen, agropastoralists, petty traders, etc.). There is herding activity of goats mostly. There is higher access to public amenities, due to its location as the island's political and economic center, main seaport and airport. |
Hadiboh (suburb) | CP | 38 | NA | ||
Qadheb | CP | 5 | 12 | ||
Ayhaft | HM | 8 | 5 | ||
Rewjed | HM | 23* | 6 | ||
Di Hamdh | CP | 12 | 43 | ||
Ghubba | CP | 17 | 17 | ||
Central 7% (3,000) | Diksam | HP | 111* | 9 | Highly homogeneous clan composition with highest number of villages (358) per individual clans (67), thus strong centrifugal settlement pattern, which reflects the practice of an extensive pastoralism, and on which the inhabitants are highly dependent. Date cultivation is restricted to the IV areas. Has lowest level of population (7%) with a relatively specialized livelihood, as semi-nomadic pastoralists possessing a diverse herd composition, in which cows are the dominant animal. Has the least access to public amenities. |
Shibhon | HP | 30* | 3 | ||
Da'arho | IV | 12 | 1 | ||
Difshe | IV | 11 | 3 | ||
Di Asmo | IV | 10 | 2 | ||
Klim | HP | 9 | 5 | ||
Hajhir (3 parts) | HM | 122* | 19 | ||
Sha'ab Di Alf | IV | 23 | 17 | ||
Sha'ab Di Ilofi | IV | 18 | 8 | ||
Southern 10% (4,600) | Iglisu Serbehe | HP | 9 | 5 | Moderately heterogeneous social composition with relatively proportionate distribution of clans (36) to villages (53), thus a centripetal settlement organization facilitated by the collective nature of primary livelihood activity, fishing (esp. lobster). This is complemented by agropastoral activities (i.e. date and vegetable cultivation, and herding). Ranks fourth in population proportion (10%) with inhabitants of variable mobility, and inadequate access to public amenities. |
Sirahen | HP | 10 | 7 | ||
Mahfirhen | CP | 1 | 6 | ||
Noged | CP | 11 | 7 | ||
Qa'ara | CP | 22 | 11 | ||
Eastern 19% (8,400) | Ma'abudh | IV | 12 | 21 | Relatively heterogeneous clan composition with greater number of clans (137) than villages (124), thus having a centripetal settlement pattern. Region straddles multiple topographical terrains, thus population has access to diverse livelihood sources (e.g. fishing, date and vegetable gardening, and herding). This is complemented by (in-kind) remittances from relatives in the Gulf and local government jobs in Hadiboh. Ranks third in population proportion (19%) with moderate availability of public amenities. |
Dibna | CP | 4 | 1 | ||
Tentehen | IP | 16 | 19 | ||
Tiyda' (Shizeb) | IP | 18 | 10 | ||
Sheteh | IP | 21 | 25 | ||
Momi | HP | 74* | 24 | ||
Homhil | HP | 14 | 5 | ||
Qariyah | CP | 4 | 13 | ||
Halla | CP | 11 | 13 | ||
Irisel | CP | 10 | 6 | ||
Western 32% (14,000) | Qabhitin | IP | 32 | 14 | Homogeneous clan composition with relatively unbalanced distribution of clans (86) to villages (189), thus a centrifugal settlement pattern. Population is primarily engaged in goat herding and some sheep, as there are no camels, cows or donkeys; highly mobile pastoralists due to high water scarcity given the dominant topography of arid internal plains; minimal to non-existent access to public amenities. Ranks second in population proportion (32%). However, this figure is based on the geographical division of the island, and not on its political division which allocates a sizable portion of the west to the Eastern District (e.g. Qabhitin). Some pastoralists undertake seasonal fishing on the northern and southern coasts. Indeed, the fishing settlements of the western end of the southern plain are made up of people from this region. With the exception of Qalansiyah town and Qeso village, the region is bereft of vegetable gardens and date cultivation. |
Kishin | IP | 10 | 7 | ||
Di Rakbu | IP | 15 | 6 | ||
Shibere | IP | 10 | 4 | ||
Mayha | IP | 47* | 16 | ||
Ma'ala | HP | 49* | 9 | ||
Shu'ab | CP | 3 | 7 | ||
Di Neet | CP | 6 | 5 | ||
Stum | IP | 4 | 7 | ||
Liska | IP | 2 | 1 | ||
Sheteh Qalansiyah | IP | 11 | 10 | ||
Qalansiyah | Coast | Town | NA | ||
Samha | Island | NA | NA | ||
Abd al-Kuri | Island | 6 | NA | ||
Total | 45 | Â | 869 | 409 | Â |