Umar Rida Kahhala
Mujam Qabail al-Arab al-Qadima wal-Haditha
- Author died
- 1408 AH
- Editions
- Mu’assasat al-Risālah
Mu'jam Qaba'il al-Arab al-Qadima wal-Haditha (Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Arab Tribes) is an encyclopedic reference work compiled by the Syrian scholar and historian Umar Rida Kahhala (1323–1408 AH / 1905–1987 CE) on the genealogies, history, and geographical distribution of Arab tribes .
Background and Purpose
Kahhala completed the compilation of the dictionary in Damascus on 19 Ramadan 1368 AH (15 July 1949 CE) . In the introduction, he stated that research into Arab history and heritage was often impeded by the dispersal of relevant material across disparate manuscripts and printed works, or by unsystematic approaches . His stated goal was to construct a reference work that would overcome these obstacles, provide scholars with an accessible guide, and preserve Arab genealogical and historical heritage .
Scope and Methodology
The dictionary documents Arab tribes, clans, and sub-lineages (ashair, butun, and afkhadh) spanning both the pre-Islamic and Islamic periods up to the modern era . Geographically, it encompasses tribes settled or wandering across Najd, the Hijaz, Yemen, Hadhramaut, Oman, the Nine Protected Areas, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Transjordan, North Africa, and other Arab and Islamic regions .
The work is organized alphabetically according to tribal names . Entries detail:
- The lineage and ancestral origins of each group, as well as its main and subordinate branches .
- Geographical associations, including homelands, settlements, mountains, valleys, and water wells .
- Historical events, notable warfare, and pre-Islamic cults or deities where applicable .
Kahhala appended specific source citations to the end of each entry and included a comprehensive bibliography of cited references and editions at the conclusion of the work .
Publication History
The work was first printed in Damascus by al-Matba'a al-Hashimiyya in 1368 AH (1949 CE) . It was later reissued in multiple editions across three volumes, notably by Dar al-Ilm lil-Malayin in Beirut (2nd edition, 1388 AH / 1968 CE) and subsequently by Mu'assasat al-Risala in Beirut in several editions (including 1978, 1402 AH / 1982 CE, 1405 AH / 1985 CE, and 1412 AH / 1991 CE) .
Answer updated