Budaiya (Al Budayyi‘)
Al Budaiya (البديع) is a coastal town located in the northwestern region of Bahrain Island, in the Northern Governorate of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It neighbors the villages of Diraz and Bani Jamra.
The town was founded by the Dawasiri tribe, but most of the tribe left en masse to mainland Saudi Arabia in 1923, after conflict emerged with the British colonial authorities. Many Dawasir tribe members later returned to Budaiya, with some still living in the village today. Prior to the discovery of oil in Bahrain, most Budaiya residents were involved in the pearl diving and fishing industry.
According to the Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia in 1917, Budaiya village was made up of three distinct quarters; Fariq-al Amarah, Fariq-al Dam (located on Ras-Budaiya) and Fariq-al Budaiya (the oldest quarter). The town had considerable numbers of stone houses and reed huts. The estimated population was 8,000 and were thought to be all adherents of Sunni Islam; 800 houses belonged to the Dawasir tribe, 100 to the Amarah tribe, 50 to the Huwala, 200 to "free negroes" and around 450 houses for black slaves. The port was home to more than 100 boats, over half of which were utilised for pearling. There were also 3 Qur'anic schools in the town. The internal affairs of the town was handled by the Shaikh of the Dawasir, without interference from the Shaikh of Bahrain.
The town was founded by the Dawasiri tribe, but most of the tribe left en masse to mainland Saudi Arabia in 1923, after conflict emerged with the British colonial authorities. Many Dawasir tribe members later returned to Budaiya, with some still living in the village today. Prior to the discovery of oil in Bahrain, most Budaiya residents were involved in the pearl diving and fishing industry.
According to the Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia in 1917, Budaiya village was made up of three distinct quarters; Fariq-al Amarah, Fariq-al Dam (located on Ras-Budaiya) and Fariq-al Budaiya (the oldest quarter). The town had considerable numbers of stone houses and reed huts. The estimated population was 8,000 and were thought to be all adherents of Sunni Islam; 800 houses belonged to the Dawasir tribe, 100 to the Amarah tribe, 50 to the Huwala, 200 to "free negroes" and around 450 houses for black slaves. The port was home to more than 100 boats, over half of which were utilised for pearling. There were also 3 Qur'anic schools in the town. The internal affairs of the town was handled by the Shaikh of the Dawasir, without interference from the Shaikh of Bahrain.
Map - Budaiya (Al Budayyi‘)
Map
Country - Bahrain
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| Flag of Bahrain | |
Bahrain is the site of the ancient Dilmun civilization. It has been famed since antiquity for its pearl fisheries, which were considered the best in the world into the 19th century. Bahrain was one of the earliest areas to be influenced by Islam, during the lifetime of Muhammad in 628 AD. Following a period of Arab rule, Bahrain was ruled by the Portuguese Empire from 1521 until 1602, when they were expelled by Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty. In 1783, the Bani Utbah clan captured Bahrain from Nasr Al-Madhkur and it has since been ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family, with Ahmed al Fateh as Bahrain's first hakim.
Currency / Language
| ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHD | Bahraini dinar | د.ب | 3 |
| ISO | Language |
|---|---|
| AR | Arabic language |
| EN | English language |
| FA | Persian language |
| UR | Urdu |