Maryam Al Thani -Qatar Ethnography Project

Hi guys, here's my contribution to the Qatar Ethnography Project.


Maryam Al Thani
Gulf Societies
Qatar Ethnography Project

Kinship Systems

The kinship systems in Qatar were present since the late 1800s, when the country was still establishing itself. These systems have played a major role in the formation of Qatar as a nation state in the year 1878, and they are still present today. There are two forms of kinship in Qatar: the internal kin ship system, and the external kinship system. The internal kinship system represents the relationships between family members. These relationships determine marriages, business partnerships and other interactions among the family members. The external kinship system represents the relationships between the different families in Qatar. This system portrays the interactions of the various Qatari families with each other, whether they are social interactions or business related partnerships. If there is a strong sense of kinship between two families, that can also lead to marriages between their family members.

The establishment of kinship between the families first began with the unification of the Qatari tribes. This action was mutually beneficial to all the parties involved, since each tribe would look out for the well-being of the other tribes. For example: If one tribe’s camel wandered into a neighboring tribe’s camp, that tribe would secure their neighbor’s property. Each of Qatar’s tribes had its own flag and symbol, so during the unification, the leaders agreed to have a united flag, which displayed a ‘spear’ representing each tribe. The sense of kinship and obligation included women as well. During the battles that have been waged throughout Qatar’s history, the women were in charge of delivering water to the soldiers. This clearly portrays the strength of kinship among Qataris.

The kinship systems have also been used to settle disputes, whether they were internal or between different families. During the early 1950s, Qatar’s ruling family experienced disputes over the issue of who would succeed the ruler, Sheikh Ali Al Thani. The choice was between his son, Sheikh Ahmed, and his nephew, Sheikh Khalifa. In the year 1958, the members of the ruling family agreed to a constitutional reform, which provided the groundwork for settling these disputes in the future. ‘If a constitutional advance on these lines were introduced or even if it were only subjected to active discussion in the Ruling Family, this might blunt the edge of the succession question and enable that to be settled more gradually.’ (Tuson, Vol.7 pg.490)
The kinship systems in Qatar are embedded in the country’s culture. They are a part of its history, and they have played a major role in laying the groundwork for present day Qatar.

Social Networks

Qatar established a strong social network with Britain in the past. This was a strategic relationship which benefited both sides at the time. The Anglo-Qatar treaty was signed on the 3rd of November, 1916, which occurred after the Anglo-Turkish Convention (1913) and the surrender of the Turkish garrison in Doha. This treaty consolidated Qatari-British relations, and subsequently left Britain as the sole major power in the Gulf region. In a letter to the British Foreign Secretary, the Deputy Political Resident wrote, ‘I recently proceeded to Katr, accompanied by the Political Agent at Bahrain, with the object of producing the signature of the Shaikh on the parchment treaty. Shaikh Abdullah received us most cordially, and signed the parchment copies without comparing them with the original in his possession…In fact his whole conduct on this occasion showed a degree of confidence in the good faith and friendship of Government which is highly creditable to him.’ (Tuson, Vol.5 pg.3)













Bibliography

- Tuson, Penelope. Records of Qatar: Primary Documents 1820 – 1960, Volume 5 (1916 – 1935).
- Tuson, Penelope. Records of Qatar: Primary Documents 1820 – 1960, Volume 7 (1949 – 1960).
- The interview with Sheikh Faisal Al Thani.