# Al Bu Shamis

The Al Bu Shamis (Arabic: آل بو شامس) or Al Shawamis (Arabic: الشوامس) (singular Al Shamsi Arabic: الشامسي) is an Arab tribe of the United Arab Emirates, located mainly in the United Arab Emirates and Northern Oman.

## Origins

The Al Bu Shamis are one of three sections of the Na'im, the others being Al Bu Kharaiban and Khawatir. Of the three sections, the Al Bu Shamis has become virtually independent and associated closely with the Al Bu Falasa of Dubai.
The Al Bu Shamis emigrated from Western Arabia to settle around the Dhahirah and Sunaynah areas. Later migrations led some of them to Al Ain and the Buraimi Oasis. Al Shamsi were also traditionally the heads of both Hamriyah and Al Heera, dependencies of Sharjah that frequently attempted to assert their independence through the 19th and into the 20th century.
While the Na'im were often involved in disputes and open warfare with other tribes, including the Bani Kaab, Bani Qitab and Al Bu Falasah, the Al Bu Shamis remained generally on good terms with other tribes, particularly the Duru and Bani Qitab.
The Na'im settled Buraimi and nearby Al Ain, where Na'im expansion came at the expense of the Dhawahir tribe, but also rubbed up against the Bani Yas and the allied Manasir. The Na'im as a whole, including the Al Bu Shams, were led by the Sheikh of the Al Bu Kharaiban. Although the Na'im were linked to the growing Wahhabi influence in the Buraimi area and adopted the doctrine, they allied with other forces to evict the Wahhabis from Buraimi in 1871 and subsequently occupied many of the forts around Buraimi.$^{:60}$ However, following the death of Zayed the Great, the Na'im once again were loyal to Muscat but in the 1930s and 40s came under Saudi influence.
With the continuing decline of the Na'im tribal federation, the Al Bu Shamis maintained an almost completely separate identity and, in fact, the Al Bu Shamis leader of Al Heera – Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Muhammad Al Shamsi was often at loggerheads, if not war, with the Na'imi Al Bu Kharaiban Ruler of Ajman.
With Saudi interests focused on Buraimi in the late 1940s, together with the Bani Kaab, the Al Bu Shamis were ranged against British forces during the Buraimi Dispute.

## Awānāt

The Awānāt (Arabic: العوانات) singular Awāni (Arabic: العواني) are an Arab tribe and a branch of the Al Bu Shamis. The Awanat reside in Khatt, located in the Jiri plain, Dibah, and Jazirat-al-Hamra, and their settled population in Trucial Oman is around 50. This tribe is now nearly extinct, and some believe that those who remain are not true Awanat. Some claim the Awanat were slaves of the Qawāsim, while others suggest they were linked to the Maqābil.
The Awānāt were associated with the Qasimi territory and the Trucial States, playing an important role in the social and political dynamics of the region. By the end of the 19th century, the Awānāt tribe ceased to function as an independent entity and became effectively dependent on the Qawasim tribe.$^{:89}$

## Notable members

* Abdulrahman bin Muhammad Al Shamsi – Former ruler of Al Heera.
* Saeed Mohammed Al Shamsi – UAE Diplomat and Ambassador to Australia Saeed Mohammed Al Shamsi
* Taryam Omran Taryam Al Shamsi – co-founder of Al Khaleej and Gulf Today newspapers
* Abdulaziz Nasser Al Shamsi – Protocol of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Nasser Al Shamsi
* Ahlam (singer)