Al-Rashāyidah
A tribe of the northern Hijaz and the Red Sea coast, with branches recorded across the sea in Sudan and Eritrea.
- Region
- Northern Hijaz and the Red Sea
- Also recorded in
- Sudan and Eritrea
Overview
Al-Rashāyidah are recorded in the northern Ḥijāz and along the Red Sea, and — unusually for an Arabian tribe — with substantial branches on the African shore, in Sudan and Eritrea, where migration across the sea is documented from the nineteenth century. They are a clear case of a tribal name whose range is defined by a sea route rather than a desert one.
On lineage
Branch lists and affiliations here are given as reported by the classical genealogists, who themselves disagree. Nothing on this page establishes any living family's descent: a shared name may reflect descent, alliance (ḥilf) or clientage (walāʾ).
Frequently asked questions
Why are al-Rashāyidah found in Sudan and Eritrea?
Migration across the Red Sea from the nineteenth century is documented, which is unusual — most Arabian tribal ranges follow desert routes rather than sea ones.
Sources
- ياقوت الحموي، معجم البلدان، 626هـ — في ذكر ساحل البحر الأحمر
This page is an educational, historical reference compiled from published sources. It is not an authority on lineage. Where sources differ, we report the difference without taking a position. Corrections are welcome via our contact page.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-28