Khathʿam
A southern grouping of the ʿAsīr highlands, to which Shahrān and Balqarn are reckoned.
- Region
- ʿAsīr and the southern Sarāt
- Reckoned to it
- Shahrān, Balqarn
- Placement
- Disputed
Overview
Khathʿam held the highland country of ʿAsīr and the southern Sarāt. The sources reckon Shahrān and Balqarn to it, and its own placement is disputed — some genealogists attach it to the Qaḥṭānī line through Anmār, others argue otherwise. It is one of the tribes whose branch attribution the classical writers explicitly could not settle.
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
Which tribes are reckoned to Khathʿam?
Shahrān and Balqarn among others. Khathʿam's own branch attribution is disputed in the sources.
Sources
- الحسن الهمداني، صفة جزيرة العرب، 334هـ — في ذكر خثعم
- ابن حزم الأندلسي، جمهرة أنساب العرب، 456هـ — أنساب 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This page is an educational, historical reference compiled from published sources.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