Qahtan (tribe)
| قحطان or اقحطان | |
|---|---|
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Saudi Arabia | 28,000 (1960s) |
| Languages | |
| southern Najdi dialect | |
| Religion | |
| Hanbali Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bani Hajer, Yam, Ajman, Al Murrah | |
Not to be confused with the Qahtanite peoples
Qahtan (Arabic: قحطان, also spelled as (Arabic: اقحطان) to distinguish between the tribe and the Qahtanite peoples, is a Sabean Madh'hiji Qahtanite tribal confederation that emerged in prominence during the Umayyad dynasty. Qahtan is composed of three main tribes: Sanhan, Junb, and Rufaida. Today, members of the tribe and its sub-tribes are based in southern Saudi Arabia (where most of the tribe is congregated), Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. One must note that the Madh'hiji Qahtan tribe is different from the Qahtanite peoples, because while all members of the Qahtan identify as Qahtanite through their ancestry to Joktan (Qahtan) son of Eber which the tribe is named after, not all Qahtanite tribes (such as Shammar, Shahran, Harb, etc) trace their ancestry back to the modern tribe known as Qahtan.
The Qahtan tribe enjoyed priority rights and control to the pastures of southern Najd for a period generally agreed to have spanned 90 years, paying suzerainty only to Ibn Saud. Tribes who migrated to Najd during spring or winter to herd their cattle were required to pay taxation in order for them to be allowed to graze their livestock in the pastures of Qahtani diyar (territory) in Najd. Several historians have described Qahtan as "the most powerful" tribe or "nobody dared to challenge them" during this era.
The Jahader branch of the Sanhan sub-tribe of Qahtan migrated to southern Najd from their homelands in Asir Region during the late 18th century and early 19th century under the leadership of Athfar al-Amaaj, driving out the Mutair tribe from Najd after refusing to pay taxation to Mutair in exercising their rights to herding camels and cattle in Najd. After Qahtan's victory over Mutair, a previously unknown member of the Jahader known as Hadi ibn Qurmula visited Ibn Saud whom he convinced to grant him the sheikhdom of Qahtan. This began the 90 year rule of Al Qurmula over Najd, beginning with Hadi ibn Qurmula and culminating with his son Muhammad ibn Hadi ibn Qurmula. Qahtan's rule over Najd was a humilating to other tripes such as Otaibah. which they were slaves to Mohammed ibn Hadi.
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