Al-Busi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bu`si Sheikdom مشيخة البعسي
c. 18th century–1967
Largest city	Hazar-ul-Abu's
Common languages	Arabic
Religion	Islam
Government	Monarchy
Sheikh
• 1903-1954	2 rulers, names unknown
History
• Established	c. 18th century
• British protectorate	1954
• Disestablished	1967
Population
• 1917	2000
Succeeded by South Yemen
Today part of	Yemen

The Bu`si Sheikhdom (Arabic: مشيخة البعسي Mashyakhat al-Bu`sī), also known as Al-Bu`si, was a small state in the Aden Protectorate. This area was under the protection of the British Empire. It was one of the many small states that made up Upper Yafa.

History of the Bu`si Sheikhdom

The Bu`si Sheikhdom was founded around the 18th century. It was a monarchy, meaning it was ruled by a leader called a Sheikh.

Early Relations with Britain

In 1903, Britain signed protection agreements with other states in Upper Yafa. However, Bu`si was not included in these early agreements. It remained an independent state for a while.

Between 1903 and 1954, two different Sheikhs of Bu`si, a father and his son, tried to get Britain to sign a protection treaty with them. But Britain said no. They felt they already had enough treaty chiefs. Even without a treaty, the Sheikhs of Bu`si could still visit Aden every year. The Sheikh of Bu`si was also one of the rulers who attended an important meeting in Lahej in 1930.

Joining the British Protectorate

In August 1954, the Sheikh of Bu`si tried again to get a protection treaty. The Governor of Aden, Tom Hickinbotham, sent this request to Alan Lennox-Boyd, who was a British government official.

Later that year, Bu`si became the last area in Yemen to sign a protection treaty with Britain. This new treaty was very similar to the ones Britain had signed with Bu`si's neighbors 50 years earlier.

End of the Sheikhdom

Bu`si did not join the Federation of South Arabia in 1962. Instead, it was considered part of the Protectorate of South Arabia.

The last Sheikh of Bu`si lost his power in 1967. This happened when the People's Republic of South Yemen was created. Today, the area that was once the Bu`si Sheikhdom is part of the country of Yemen.

Geography of Bu`si

The land of Bu`si was mostly a flat plain. It had many small valleys, with the Wādī-ul-Ab'us being the most important one.

Bu`si shared its borders with other states. To the west, it bordered Al-Dubi. To the north, it bordered Hadrami. Bu`si did not share a border with the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen.

Population of Bu`si

The Bu`si area was home to a single tribe, also called Bu`si. In 1917, it was estimated that about 2,000 people lived there.

Most of the Bu`si people, around 900 of them, lived in the main settlement of Hazar-ul-Abu's. The remaining people lived in 18 other smaller villages nearby.

Military Strength

In 1917, the Bu`si Sheikhdom had about 500 fighting men.

See also

• Aden Protectorate
• Upper Yafa