Banu Nasr ibn Sa'd, Hawazin , Adnan son of Ismail or Ishmael the Abrahamic prophet son of Abraham
Population
+925.000 (2011)
Language
Arabic
Religion
Shia Islam
Basra, Hilla, and the surrounding areas. The tribe is part of the larger Banu Nasr group, which traces its origins to the ancient Arab tribe of Hawazin .[1]
In conclusion, this represents the broader Arab and local perspectives on the Al-Sari tribe, supported by documented evidence and orally preserved histories, including lineage records and patterns of relocation that have been maintained and verified over the years through written documents and credible sources
Al-Suwari claims descent from the ancient Hawazin tribe, specifically from the Nasser branch of Rabi'ah, within the broader Adnanite lineage. The tribe originally resided in the Hijaz region of western Arabia, particularly around the area known as Al-Sarat, a mountainous zone linking Mecca and Ta'if. The tribal name Al-Suwari is believed to derive either from the Arabic verb sarā (سَرى), meaning “to travel by night,” or from Al-Sarat, referencing their early homeland.
During the Islamic expansion and subsequent political shifts, members of the tribe gradually migrated northward through Najd, eventually settling in southern Iraq, especially in Basra, Hilla, and the marshlands (Ahwar). Some groups also moved eastward into Khuzestan (Ahvaz) in southwestern Iran, where they are still present today.
Historically, the tribe played a significant role in early Islamic scholarship and military service. Notable individuals include Al-Harith ibn Al-Mughira Al-Nasri, a trusted companion of the Shi'a Imams, and Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Ghallabi, a well-known historian and author in Basra during the Abbasid period.
Over the centuries, Al-Suwari maintained its tribal structure and influence, contributing to the cultural, religious, and social fabric of southern Iraq. Despite the urbanization and political changes of modern times, the tribe remains an important social entity, particularly in the provinces of Basra, Baghdad, Hilla, and Maysan, with a notable presence in Khuzestan as well
The Al-Suwari tribe is estimated to number over 420,000 individuals, primarily concentrated in southern Iraq, particularly in Basra, Maysan, and Hilla. Significant populations also exist in the Ahwar (marshlands) region and Khuzestan Province in Iran, especially around Ahvaz. Smaller communities are present in Baghdad, Wasit, and the Middle Euphrates region.
The tribe remains predominantly Shia Muslim, with deep cultural ties to southern Iraq’s religious and tribal networks. Despite urban migration in recent decades, many members maintain close tribal affiliations and participate in traditional tribal structures.[2]
The Al-Suwari tribe descends from the Adnanite Arabs, specifically through the powerful Rabi'ah branch, which includes the historically influential Bakr ibn Wa'il tribal confederation. According to preserved genealogies, the Al-Suwari trace their lineage to:
Lineage of Sari BIN Nabhan (the tribe is named after) to Adnan
A family tree depicting the ancestry of Al-Sawari from Bakr son of Wa'il
Sari bin Nabhan bin
‘Amru al-Dhahhab bin
Malik bin Jadal bin
Salma bin Jami’ bin
‘Adi bin Miyah bin
Usama bin
Duba’i’a bin
‘Ijil bin
Lujaym bin
Sa’b bin ‘Ali bin Bakr bin Wa’il bin Qasit bin Hanab bin Afsa bin Dammi bin Jadila bin Asad bin Rabi’ah bin Nizar bin Ma’ad bin Adnan.
This noble lineage places the tribe among the descendants of Adnan, the legendary progenitor of the northern Arabs, and aligns them with other influential Rabi'ah tribes like Taghlib, Abd al-Qays, and Anazzah.
While some alternate traditions suggest a possible link to the QahtaniteAl-Fatla lineage, the prevailing historical and genealogical records classify the Al-Suwari as firmly Adnanite, with deep roots in central and southern Iraq as well as Khuzestan in Iran.
