Table 2 Geography of residence in Soqotra

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

869

409