Chapter Two: The Idilba Clans Idilba, and joined his uncle, and took Bluti for his group, while Bluti took for his group the most important of the southern Idilba. Bluti was succeeded in leadership by his cousin, his son, Ibn Al-Mukhtar, then Bluti's sons, Sidati and Munati, who is the current chief. Bluti, the son of Sheikh Muhammad, left two other sons, one of whom went west to the Awlad Nuḥ, while the other, Sheikh Ahmed, still resides in the sub-clan. As for the northern Idilba, Sheikh Ahmed was succeeded by his sons Nuḥ and Sheikh, then Badi bin Sheikh. At this time, on his way from Timbuktu to Baskinu, he traversed the lands and pastures of the Idilba, and on two occasions, on July 31st and August 1st, 1886, he encountered their encampments. Each time he was received with a poor reception, with the offering of milk and fresh meat. This superficial traveler was the cause of this. These "Idilba," as he called them, were camped near the wells of Al-Arnab and Bughanto, which does not provide us with any information. The Idilba groups did not understand our fighting at all, nor did they hasten to offer their allegiance. However, when they were explicitly invited to do so, they submitted their request on September 30th, 1896. A joint annual tax of one hundred sheep was imposed on them, but they soon requested to pay it separately. Since that date, this clan has not caused us any concern. During the early years of our occupation, they suffered much harm from the Awlad Alush, who had been their protectors for over a century. When they saw that, despite the promises, we did not guarantee their safety, they separated from us, becoming somewhat isolated, and did not provide us with guides or information. After that, their trust increased, but even to this day, they have continued to pay the tax to the chief of the Awlad Alush, although they are currently gradually breaking away from the ties of the past. 2 - Distribution There are no clans in the true sense among the Idilba; they form a harmonious family unit. The necessities of livestock herding have necessitated their division into two groups: the southern Idilba and the northern Idilba. The southern group owns only cattle and small livestock, and most of them migrate in the Farmaki region. Some camel-owning encampments have separated from this mother unit, forcing them to move north to live around the water source. They have appointed a special chief for them, Badi bin Sheikh. As for the southern Idilba, they have their chief, Makani bin Bluti, who was born around 1845. He is an educated and kind chief. When he was in seclusion for worship, he handed over the leadership of the clan to his son Al-Mukhtar. Matsati enjoys great respect in the clan.