Emiratis

The Emirati people are citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The largest concentration is in the UAE, where there are 1.4 million Emiratis. Formerly known as the Trucial States or Trucial Oman, the UAE is made up of seven emirates, each of which had a dominant or ruling family or tribe. Abu Dhabi was home to the Sir Bani Yas; Dubai settled in 1833 by an offshoot of the Bani Yas, the Al Bu Falasah; Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah to the Al Qasimi or Qawasim; Ajman to the Al Naim and Fujeirah to the Sharqiyin. Additionally a number of large tribes settled in these territories or travelled the interior of the UAE, including the Manasir and Awamir, the Mazari, Bani Qitab, Al Bu Shams, Manahil, Rashid, Al Murrah, Za’ab, Tanaij, Naqbiyin, Ghafalah and the Bani Ka’ab. Many modern Emirati names are derived from these tribal names or offshoots of these tribes, for instance Mazroui (from Mazari), Nuaimi (from Naim) and Al Sharqi (from Sharqiyin).