Balqarn
A tribe of the ʿAsīr highlands, neighbouring Shahrān.
- Region
- The ʿAsīr highlands
- Name
- A contraction of Banū al-Qarn
Overview
Balqarn — the name is a contraction of *Banū al-Qarn* — are recorded in the ʿAsīr highlands beside Shahrān, and are reckoned in the sources to the same Khathʿam grouping. The contracted form of the name is itself worth noting: Balqarn, Balḥārith and similar names show *Banū al-* collapsing to *Bal-* in the speech of the south-west.
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), and the sources usually say which only when they know.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the name Balqarn begin with 'Bal-'?
It is Banū al-Qarn contracted. The south-west collapses Banū al- to Bal-, as in Balḥārith.
Sources
- الحسن الهمداني، صفة جزيرة العرب، 334هـ — في ذكر خثعم
This page is an educational, historical reference compiled from published sources.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