Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b being a journal of an expedition undertaken under the auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the years 1849-1855Barth, Heinrich
History
Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b being a journal of an expedition undertaken under the auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the years 1849-1855
Barth, Heinrich
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, North -- Description and travel
From this spot I went to the villages called Ksúr Gamúdi. These once
formed likewise a strong place, but were entirely destroyed in the last
war, since which a new village has arisen at the foot of the rocky
eminence. A few date-trees grow at the N. foot of the hill, while it is
well known, that the palm is rare in the Ghurián. As I was taking angles
from the top of the hill, the inhabitants of the village joined me, and
manifested a friendly disposition, furnishing me readily with any
information, but giving full vent to their hatred of the Turks. As the
most remarkable ruins of the time of the Jahalíyeh—or the pagans, as the
occupants of the country before the time of Mohammed are called,—they
mentioned to me, besides Ghirze, a tower or sepulchre called Metuḯje,
about two days’ journey S.E.; Beluwár, another tower-like monument at
less distance; and in a S.W. direction ʿAmúd, a round edifice which has
not yet been visited by any European.
The valley at the foot of the Ksúr Gamúdi is watered by several abundant
springs, which once supplied nourishment for a great variety of
vegetables; but the kitchen-gardens and orchards are at present
neglected, and corn alone is now cultivated as the most necessary want.
The uppermost of these springs, which are stated to be six in number, is
called Sma Rhʿain—not an Arabic name. Beyond, towards the south, is
Jehésha, further eastward Usáden, mentioned by Lyon, with a chapel, Geba
with a chapel, and, going round towards the north, Shetán, and further
on Mésufín. The country beyond Kuléba, a village forming the southern
border of the Ghurián, is called Ghadáma, a name evidently connected
with that of Ghadámes, though we know the latter to be at least of two
thousand years’ standing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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