Sudan Archive

Open the original scan

OriginalTranslateMachine translation — not a source document

For about 12 days, and they are called Azhar, a people whose men and camels are many, and their milk is abundant. They are people of bravery, strength, and might. However, they make peace with those who make peace with them and fight those who attack them. They spend the summer and spring around a mountain called *Tanzana, and around its base are springs and wells, flowing water, and many benefits. Water collects there, and much grass grows on it. Their camels graze there, and they move from there to places they are accustomed to staying. From this mountain, around which the Azhar circle, it is 20 stages to the land of Bagama, in empty lands devoid of people, with little water, scattered air, worn paths, and indistinct landmarks. From the Azhar tribe to the city of Ghadames is 18 stages. And from Azhar also to the city of Shama is about 9 stages. Between them are two wells, their waters are scarce, and the wind might blow over them with the heat of the air, drying up the water until it is not found at all. The people of Azhar, according to what the people of the far Maghreb mention, are the most knowledgeable people in the science of lines, which is attributed to the Prophet Daniel, peace be upon him. And it is not known among all the Berber lands, with their many tribes, any tribe more knowledgeable in this science than the people of Azhar. This is because a man among them, whether young or old, if he loses something or something is missing from his affairs, he draws lines in the sand to know the location of his lost item, and he walks until he finds his belongings as he saw them in his drawing. Sometimes, a man among them steals his companion's belongings and buries them in the ground, far or near. Then the man who lost his belongings draws lines, indicating the location of the hiding place, and draws a second line next to it, and with his knowledge, he heads to the location of the hiding place and retrieves his belongings and what was lost. He knows from what the man who transgressed against him and took his belongings drew. The elders of the tribe gather, and they examine it, and they know from this drawing who is the perpetrator. This is famous and mentioned among the people of the Maghreb.

Text produced by OCR — report an error