Beihan is a valley connected between al-Baidha in the north-west, Ma'rib in the east and Ataq in the south. It is a fertile valley irrigated by water streams fall from the northern mountains as well as from the dug wells. The main cultivated crops are dates, cereals and citrus and people depend on livestock to a large extent to survive. Nonetheless, people increasingly adopt trade and exchange commerce; in addition to incorporate to the government business.
History
Bayhan valley historically had several main groups. The Musabein Tribe living in the south which was dominated by Al-Saleh and the Alfatima. These two factions were engaged in constant feuds. Historically the middle of the valley was populated by the Al-Habieli family, descendants of the Prophet, who arrived in the valley in the late 1600s. They had been sent by the Imam of Yemen to protect the trade routes. The Al-Habieli family are direct descendants of the first, al Hadi Yahya bin Hussein, and seventh, Qassim al Mansur bin Abdullah, Imams of Sana'a. The north of the valley was dominated by the Balharith Tribe who were also continuously fighting one another as to who was their paramount sheik and like the Masabin also split into 2 main branches.
Rulers
The ruling Al-Habieli family, recognized by the Hashimite Grand Sharifs of Mecca as related, established themselves as religious leaders in Bayhan in 1680 and became independent. The Hashemite Emirate of Bayhan was included in the Western Aden Protectorate before joining the Federation of Arab Emirates of the South on 11/2/1959 and the Federation of South Arabia on 4/4/1962. The Emirate was abolished by revolutionary Yemen in 7/1967. Capital was Naqub. Al Amir Talal Saleh Hussein Al-Habieli is current dynastic head of the family.
Sharif Ahmad Muhsin Al Habieli, Amir of Bayhan 1903-abdicated 1935, independent c 1900. Father of: HE Sharif Hussein Ahmad Al Habieli, Regent of the Hashemite Emirate of Bayhan 1935-1967, formerly Minister of Interior of the Federation of South Arabia. HE Sharif Hussein was married to Halima, daughter of the Sheikh of the Musabein tribe. Their son, HH Sharif Saleh al Hussein Al Habieli, Amir of Bayhan, deprived of ruling powers on 28/8/1967 by revolutionary Yemen.
Prince Al Amir Talal Saleh Hussein Al-Habieli current Heir Apparent.
