Blood Feud and Power in Early ʽAbbāsid Times

Tribal conflicts in early Muslim history are almost exclusively perceived within the context of the well-known antagonism between Qays and Yaman, the so-called Northern and Southern tribal confederations. However, as a thorough investigation of the sources reveals, many more details on tribal conflicts may be extracted. For example, valuable information can be gained from local historical records, which help us understand the workings of tribal antagonism in considerable detail, and permit us to reconsider the validity of the Qays and Yaman pattern. One of the most striking features which came to light is the prominent role attributed to blood feuds. This article investigates this phenomenon based on related anthropological theories that help understand the ongoing conflicts and offer a convincing interpretation of the events.