B. Freshwater Species

31.Melania tuberculata32.Planorbis sp.33.Planorbis sp.

III

We bought in Aden a fragment of alabasteroid limestone, said to have come from the Hadhramout. It is broken on all sides. It is part of a perpendicular series of sunken square fields, on each of which is represented in flat relief a sitting or lying goat or chamois with enormous horns. My fragment has two complete goats and parts of another above as well as below. The goats look to the right, and there are some cuttings which may have been part of an inscription on the surface of the stone to the right of the column of goats. The squares are 4 inches high by 3½ inches wide—10 centimetres by about 9.

Fragment of Alabasteroid Limestone

That these goats must have some significance is clear from their likeness to the following objects in the Hof Museum at Vienna, and figured in 'Süd Arabische Alterthümer,' by Prof. Dr. D. H. Müller. The first is the lower part of a slab, complete on three sides with a plain surface down the middle, and columns of goats in squares just like that described above, on either side, the goat facing inwards. In neither of these cases can one know how many goats were originally represented.

The second is an architectural fragment composed of alabasteroid limestone (yellowish in colour), 0.120 centimetres high, 0.202 long, 0.15 thick (so far as it remains).

It represents seven chamois (or goats) lying in a row. The heads are coarsely formed, the eyes like knobs, and the bodies of the two animals which are outside are indicated in profile. The original use of the object is uncertain, but, in any case, it must have been a topmost ornament, for the under-side, though regularly smoothed, is not polished like the other surfaces, and therefore cannot have been meant to be seen.

The trough which we brought from Al Gran is of the same stone as the former objects. It is 2 feet long by 11 inches wide and 4 inches high. It has an inscription containing a dedication to the God Sayan or Seiyin running all round it and finishing on one side of the top. In the top there is a depression sloping towards a spout, which is now broken off all but an inch. The depth of the depression is from one quarter to half an inch, and the channel in the spout runs down to three-quarters of an inch. Prof. Dr. D. H. Müller has kindly translated this inscription, which appears to represent it as an altar. He thinks it must be for frankincense, but I think it must have been for some liquid. The inscription on the end opposite the spout is worn by marks of ropes being dragged against it.

Sabæan Antiquities

1.The Seal of Yarsahal (front view).
2.Copper Seal with Sabota on it.
3.A Pottery Stamp (back view).
4.An Alabaster Lamp.
5.Alabaster Mace Head (?)
6.A Pottery Stamp (front view).
7.The Seal of Yarsahal (side view).
8.An Alabaster Lamp (bottom).
9.Fragment of a Himyaritic Inscription.

We bought an object of fine alabaster in Aden. It was said to come from the Hadhramout. It seems like a seal or stamp and has a hollow round the back, with spouts in either of the short sides. It had been used as a lamp when we obtained it. There is a kind of handle or tube pierced through to the front, probably for suspension.

In the same illustration are also part of an earthenware stamp and the seal of Yarsahal, the younger of Shibahm, with its golden setting, and a copper seal with Sabota on it.


IV

Letters Distinguishable of an almost obliterated inscription near Haidi village, near Kalenzia, Sokotra, copied by Theodore Bent

Crosses at Dihaiterere on the hill Ditrerre, a spur of Hamar, Sokotra. A perfect mass of crosses, the various shapes of which, on the rocks, were copied by Theodore Bent

Shape of a piece of wood from bone cave at Minèsha, Ras Momi, Sokotra

Sokotra camel marks, collected by Theodore Bent, 1897


V

SOKOTERI AND MAURI WORDS COLLECTED BY THEODORE BENT IN THE ISLAND OF SOKOTRA, HE ASKING THE QUESTIONS IN ARABIC

The transliteration of the second, fourth, and fifth columns is according to the system of the Royal Geographical Society.

EnglishDialect used in South Arabia but not in all instances confined to itLiterary ArabicMahriSokoteri
FortḤisnḤisnHaznHusn
Spring-fountain‘Ain‘AinMayouNeshodehin
PickaxeKismahKasmEsher
FriendḤabībḤabībMahabba sidiMahabba habiba
MoonKamar, BedrQamar, BadrKubkob, WarraKubkob, Ehri
FuneralGhināzahGanāzahGhinozetGhineza
Game (prey)S̤aidṢaidNehàmel melbetzàTahari
Give meAt̤ini‘At̤iniZemiEndakhemu
GlassKizāzQazāzLogutArashi
GloriousGalīlGalīlAnnoLubak
HairSha‘rSha‘rShufThlef
HalfNiṣf or NusNiṣfNussNuss
WhereFeinFeinFeinFein
WhatEish or EiEshHeshendiInimdi
No matterMal‘eishLaktlelaBithiokhthi
Thank youKatterk̲h̲airakKat̲h̲ark̲h̲airakKaterkhairakTarmunkete
Stand hereStanni hinnaSarbuhunTakozha‘a
StraightDogriDug̲h̲rīHebkalazerom (or Hepka)Torrnà
BlessedUmbārrak or MubārrakMubārakUmbarrakUmbarak
StopWakkafWaqqafSolopTzullebaha
HammerShākoush, HafirEfeieTaferra
HangShanakShanaqAzabKhlanak
HandYadYadHedEd
AnchorageMèrsaMarsāMoïsiMoïsi
HeadacheWagà er rasWaga‘-ar-rāsAbkos erayheEllak ade
OftenKetiran-TamèlliKat̲h̲īranYehoda mekinDenafakin
OilZeitZaitShigarShigar
OnionBaṣalBosaletBasahal
WaterMoyaMiyāhHamouDiho Riho
MountainGhebelGabalGhebelFèdehan
MilkLebenLabanKhlofKhlof
StoneḤagarḤagarHobenOben
BreadKhubsKhubzKhobsEshere
DateNakhlNak̲h̲lNakeletTamari
ManRagulRajalReighEik
TrueShagaraS̲h̲ajarShigheredSherehom
FarBaïdBa‘īdDahakSherehek
NearGarībQarībGaribSheiki
WellBirBirBirAbahur
SheepGhanemGhanamKheozOz
HorseKhailKhailFereheKhail
CamelGemelGamalBerr[15]Berr
SeaBaharBaḥrDorumDenhem
SandRamlRamlBattarShimeh
GarmentToubBerakaFarak berekà
MoveShihlShilleilTizàminha
BeforeKablQablKsobbaGoddam shei
NameIsmIsmHemukōmnMormùkshom
BedFerashFirāshJuderiGudere
Sun risesSherug esh shemsSharūg-ush-shamsSkerkot NayoumSherkot Nashom
LightKafīfK̲h̲afifDernekfifManghena
GoldDahàbTahabDehebDeheb
IronḤadīdḤadīdHadidHadìd
SilverFaddaFaḍḍaḍDerehemDerahin
ClothKamashQumāshDizhidShöd‘hem
CloudSahalSaḥābah?AfoùrHehour
JudgeKadiQādīKadiKaldi
TakeEmsak or EmsikImsākElkofTelö
SatanShait̤ānShait̤anShaitanMarkush
DifficultSabiSabi‘SabiMarhere
Evening mealAsher‘AshāIzhhèTeloimö
MiddayDohrD̲h̲uhrTohrVohr
PlaceMakanMakāmMèkonD‘half
FaceWaghWajhWeggiFenè
FaithDinDīnDīnIzalīhen
FamilyAhlAhlOherDehihkag‘-haiho
FatSemenSamnMaharHammi
FeastEid‘̄IdEidAyed
FeverHummaḤummāDighiloGhiohör
LittleKhalìlK̲h̲alīlIhnil (or Eint)Herèrhen, or (Ererihen)
MelaneMillèMillì
FingerAṣbu‘ aṣabe‘Uṣbu‘, Aṣba‘AsbaEsba asali
FleaBarghùtBargauthGheròseGheroz
FoolKhailakAḥmaqKhailakDiddo
SaddleSargaSargaZmelZmel
DogKelbKalbKelbNot known; no word
SheepKharūfaTiwitTe‘eh
SaltMelḥMalḥMilhodaMilh
KnifeSikkīnSikkīnAisSari
FishSemekSamakSeitZode
It is necessary—you mustLāzimLāzimLazeromNa‘ah
EnoughBasBasBasTa‘ad
OneWāḥadWāḥadTatTat
TwoItneinIt̲h̲naīnTroTra
ThreeTalātaT̲h̲alāt̲h̲aSaratitTalele
FourArba‘Arba‘ArboteArbaa
FiveK̲h̲amsaK̲h̲amsaKhamsKhamse
SixSittaSittaItìtSitta
SevenSaba‘Saba‘IbeìtSaba
EightTamaniaT̲h̲amāniaTimminèTamania
NineTissa‘Tisa‘ZeitTesta
Ten‘Ashera‘AsharaAseraitAshera
Twenty‘Ishrin‘IshrīnAsherinIshrin
One hundredMiaMiatMieitMia
WorkShughShaghlFìsaMahalèh
Wound, soreGurrèhGarūhSobGourèh
PainWaggàWaga‘DebkhosErlakh
MedicineDàwaDawāDewarTofin-i-dewar
SunShemsShamsHayoumShehem
ReadyT̤aīrT̤aīrAkabìtSouèdon
ButterZùbdaMakozoGotomìne
IÀnaHèmukomònEvumuksham
YouEntaAntamMinesmukMinmuksham
HeHou
RopeḤablḤablKeitEnkhar
Son, boyWelèdWaladAghiēn̄Mukshin
DaughterBintBintAghinotFèrhin
WomanHormaḤurmaHaremetAzhè
WoodHattabḤaṭabHatabTirob
StrongKawiQavīMusirehMusirak
WarHarbḤarbHarb shehenHarb shehen
MoreKamànKam-min LawaAshishfisa, Fileh‘niciteh, RiàhTa‘alt‘hefisa, Feleh‘ntodèh Dā
PriceTamànT̲h̲amanSouehTetenà
MeatLaḥmLaḥmTiwë
LegRiglRijlSereinThlaub
BloodDamDamDouriDurr
AllahAllahAllahAllahAllah
DeafTourshṬurshYehomallahDoufé
HousesBouyoūtBuyūtBouyoutKeke
Seaweed, grassḤashīshHas̲h̲īs̲h̲MarehRöd
Servant‘Abd‘AbdHoyurEmbaha
SlaveGulamG̲h̲ulamGulmaB‘thlekum
Tall, longT̤awīlT̤awīlTawīlEp
(Plural)AtwàlAt̤wālTawilDihom
StarsNagoùmNagūmNegounKabkap
LessonDarsDarsKerìMukerè
TruthHakḤaqqHakHak
Without truthBidùn hakBidūn haqqHammuk hakEkmunk hak
In the housefi‘l beitfi‘l baitbe beitTofok, diè min kar
In the nightfi‘l leilfi‘l lailbe leilbilleilhe
In the roadfi‘l tarīkfi‘l tarīqbe haronorun
HealShāfīShāfīBekhairghBekhaeraghe
HeartKalbQalbKalbElbi
HeavenSamāSamāSimmaSimma
HeavyTakilTḥaqilTakilEddak
HeelAkab‘AqībAkonoshKonosh
PigKhansirKhansirKhansir
HornKarnQurnKonKon
ReadyḤadirḤad̲h̲irHaderHader
ImperfectNākisNāqisNakussBiziankazank bidinya
ImpossibleG̲h̲air mumkinG̲h̲air mumkinGhair numkinGhair numkin
PossibleYimkinImkānYumkinYumkin
IndigoNīl ṇedalNīlNihlNil
InfantT̤ifl (it̤fāl pl.)T̤ifl, It̤fâlAtfalAtfal
InfidelKāfirKofferKeffer
InkHibrHibrIndudMedad
IntellectAkl‘AqlOkulAkal
InterpreterTergumànTargumānMakaddamDehane makaddam
IslandGezīraGazīrahGezeiraGezeira
JewZahoūdiYahūdīYahoudeYahoude
KickRafosErkellaTaràkad
IntelligentFahīhmFahīmFehemdiFehem
KillKatalQatalIlbeddaTalata
KindLat̤īfLat̤īfAltehfAltuiphin
ArmsSillahSilāḥShkiShko
Soldier‘Askar‘AskarAske̤rAsker
KingMalikMalikMoliD‘hemmel
ArriveWaṣsalaWaṣalaWasselGidda
Matting-bagZambīlZạṃbilZambil
Wise‘Alamah‘ĀlimAlamah dimondiDimondish alemah
CutIghtsalHanmel kosornNerdober
JourneySafarSafarNehassolInsofar
TiredTa‘b, Ta‘banTa‘b-Ta‘bānKetlakResak
TribeKabīlaQabīlahKabilaKabela
NowDilwakhtiD̲h̲i‘l waqtiLeasarLeasar
LearnTa‘alemMollumMa‘alem
TentK̲h̲īmah, KheimK̲h̲īmahArzhlìtStirìht
SwordSeifSaifKeitKeòttaha
SummerShittaKazemKébhor
Right, SouthYemènYamīnGezĕmhineTiozeminhah
Left, NorthShemàlShamālShemīnShemin
EastSharkSharqShurakot haioumShom
WestGarbisG̲h̲arbGhizoteAttabon
Late eveningMogrebMug̲h̲ribMogarebMogareb
How are youKheifalakBesherheltAlghiorg
To walkMashaMehèklazeromEntòholnà
YesEwaAyyawāHerrìHerrì
NoDeh
KeyMiftaMiftāhMìftàhMiftàh
To tieUrbutYarbut̤Urbut
Come hereTa‘al hinnaAssabTazùm
Give meGibli, atiniInkalbo, AtiniTadidbo Habondishoelae
Take holdKhodShelùsTza
Kneel down (to a camel)BarakaBarakaHebrekaberTerburuk
To-morrowBukaraBukaraBukarèd, BukeradeElli
AfterwardsBadènBa‘denM‘goriEnzat
BeforeGoddamQuddāmFenouniAdminlefeni
InsideDak̲h̲lDāk̲h̲ilKebDakhl or Turko
OutsideBarraBarrānKhareg or BarrānSheraga or Tcherogehte
DoorBābBābBobTerr
YearSannaSannahSenateEhno
WeekShahrShahrWarrakhTadkleher
DrunkSherabSharibHamontikèNerou
RoadTarìkT̤arīqHaurimHaurim
DeadMutMatMautZami
To-dayEl yomAl YaumImorHair
Day after to-morrowB‘ad BukraBa‘d bakarahBad gehìnDishinzomen
YesterdayEmsAmsImshiImshi
MosqueMesjidMasjidMasjidMasjid
PriestMollahMullāMa‘alimMa‘alim
FridayGummaGama‘GhimataGumma
CrossSalìbMīsānMisonMison
HappyMahsŏudMaḥsûdLaefHalut
TogetherSawāSawāNehanakafakhariEntafakhari
BuyIshteriIshtarạ̄HamilthtòrIntergyer
AboveFokFauqHàkalaMinali
BelowTak̲h̲tTaḥtHamenkeratInkodediemen
EverythingKul sheiKull shaiHaltikalla
EveningAsser‘AṣarDinofari
Wild beastWaḥshWaḥshDeshìtShodhìhm
How muchKamKamB‘kamBinemshuon
Dom-treeNebekNaba‘DomFirehem
GoodTayibT̤aiyabGhetDìa
BadBattalBat̤lKhiobDià
NiceZeinZainGhitShikèro
GreatKebirKabīrAghusShibìb
GreatestAkbarAkbarAghusaShibìhb
WhiteAbaidAbyaḍLebanèdLebìne
BlackAsoudAswadHawaKhalak Ha-he
OldKadīmQadīmDewìlTahan
NewGhedidGadīdHidinGedìd
ColdBardBardGazùnHabahur
Hot{ HarḤarrHehenShehem
or{ HamiḤummạ̄Hanan HarkDio denarher
RedAhmarAḥmarUferAfer
GreenAkdarAkdar
YellowAsfarAṣfarHat‘horShedhor
MuchGhaliG̲h̲alīZebounGhali
CheapRakīsRakisRakis
RichGhaniG̲h̲anīTogìrTag
PoorFakirFaqīrFakerFaker
WretchedMeskinMiskīnMeskinMeskin
FatherAbūAbūHebeBebe
MotherOmUmmHammeBeo
EatAkulAkalHamkoutGebenganeo
FearK̲h̲āfLinkhafSherboton
AngryNehmShuhkofDaime
SickAyyanBithellGiore
Broken, InjuredMaksūrMaksūrTiberSheteghen
NewsKabarK̲h̲abarKobberKabr
EarlyBèdri, SubbaSabāhKsobbaKasaibeya
PeaceSalaanSalāmSubbaellahAlburr
DirtyWasakhWasak̲h̲MithkalHaidek
CleanNodīfNad̲h̲d̲h̲afGhihdiNodeif
BoatMerkabMarkabMerkabMerkab
RideYerkabYarkabHamle rekhobNirerkab
RainMatarMaṭarLehamedMesser
CrookedAwwaz‘AwwajNehanellomNetògher
FinishedKhalasK̲h̲alaṣBurneghessenTettin
ThusKiddaKaḍā
Go{ YemshiYamshīSuèToïke
{ RuaRāḥGhenīToher
PrisonHabsḤabsHabsHabs
PresentBakhshisBakhs̲h̲īs̲h̲BakhsheshBakhshish
ProphetNebiNabīNebeNebe
OpenMaftūhMaftūḥBob fitàhGhinatten
OrphanYatīmYatīmAytìmEsmediafore
BucketDaluDalūDoluM‘l‘hia
To paintLauwan, LaunLawwanLaunSourah
Palm branchesSaóuf nakhlSafeHes el timeri
ParentsWalideinWālidainHebe wahamiBebe wavubeyah
FowlDakikaKarounEnt
LiverKabidKabidKabidKabid
ThirstyAt̤chan‘At̤shānHailukToimek
HungryGoànGī‘ānGöakSottak
PraiseḤamdḤamdHamdHamd
SlowBa‘atiAden abatayahAden nau
ChristianNàzariNaṣārīNazariNazari
ImmediatelyHàlanḤālanLazeromNa‘ah
Myrrh gumLobànLubānTlahasTlahas
Myrrh treeLebenMogherateEmiïdu
KneeRukbahBarkBerk
LameA‘rag‘AragTibereGushel
To laughḌaḥikQaḥqaḥIstahalkN‘dlahak
LaughterḌiḥkḌiḥkEthelhalkEntlahak
LegSaḳSāqTharemIhlop
LeperAbraṣIbrāṣB‘hohgBehehok
LiftUrfaUrfahDza(minha)
Like (same as)Mitl-shibhMit̲h̲lIzdahToàha
LionAsād; plural, usoŭdAsadGailar(No word, because they say 'we none in Sokotra')
To dwellSakanSakanNehamel EntowelboumN‘zohn henna
LungsRiahRi, ahGil‘t‘horiGeha
MadMagnūnMagnūnHaiwālMankaina
MankindBeni AdamBanī ĀdamBeni AdamMakuloka (cf. Makalaka, South Africa)
MagicSihrSiḥrSaghirSahire
Naked‘Aryán‘UryānHarket el binadEsoufai libineben
NapkinFòut̤a or Fūt̤ahFaut̤hFoutahFotere
Neck‘Unk-Raḳabah‘Unq RaqabahGhotiRokoba
NeedleIbrah; plural, ubàrIbrahMakaiteMakite
NobleSharìfS̲h̲arìfSharifSharìf
NoiseṢautṢautAroumekin or SautMetdelhin or Ta‘ad‘hin
NoneLâ aḥadLā aḥadHadelabunBalheh
NoseAnf, manakhìr, khoshimAnfNakarinyaNahare
HurryIshtagilDeghodumDenofer
A quarterRub‘Rub‘ErbeitTöman
Bone‘Azm‘AzmAthailSahilla
FeatherRīshahThlufNefereri
QuiltLahàfLiḥāfGuderiMiskal
LambArnab or ErnebArnab(They have no word)
RatGard‘homGurd̲h̲umGihreitZadahin
RuinedKharàbK̲h̲arābKhaiobKharbeni
Purse, bag, pocketGaib or KiesGaib, jaibKiesKies
IdleKeslānKaslānFohselAghizdè
Do your work, or Mind your own businessAmel Shuglak‘Aml shug̲h̲lakAmal hagil de feleneTenofar dishberi
BookKitābKitābNektibInkotub
WritingMektūbMaktūbBerklubBerklub
Honey‘Asal‘AsalAssalAssal
BehindWàraWarāManghirekMinherrin
BitterMurrMurraHermetAjhi
WieldingArouz‘UrsArouzArouz
ButLākinLākinLakinYakaïta
CaravanKàfilaQāfilahShikfilèlaBeghishekfil
LoadHumlḤamlHamulHamul
BeginIbtida‘IbtidāBedihnBedehn
KitchenMūt̤būkhMat̤bak̲h̲MutabukhMulbakt
BirdDikDikDik
DigHafarNehamel hafereNehafar
RestRahahRahahTareharhinnaha
DoctorḤakimḤakīm
CupFinjān KūbayetFinjānFinjan KūbàyetFinjan Kūbàyet
SkinGildGild, jildGeldGeld
EggsBeid̤, DegadeBaid̤DegagheDegaghe
NeverAbadanAbadànAbadàn
StreamGhailDihibThlab
PaperWarakWaraqWerkartWarraka
SitGhisel GitezTowelTsalleh
DryNashifNas̲h̲s̲h̲afDeharTerahat
ReadKaràQarāKtubKteb
ScarceNādirNādirKalèdKhlahrohb
RoastShawaShawaHamtiwi
RobSarakSaraqHirrikSeirek
RoomOḍaOḍahHodHod
RoundḤaulḤaulHagìrHaghia
RootAṣlAṣlAsaliAsl
RunRakaḍRakaḍHouehTshà
RipeMustawiMustawiMushtawiMushlawi
SealK̲h̲atīmK̲h̲atamKhatiniHouleh
RichesMalMolshèInoshinia
ReapḤaṣadḤaṣadHazadHazd
BeatD̤arabaD̤arabaL‘bediToghì
NutBrandoukBrandoukBrandouk
ObeyAt̤aAt̤a‘AtawaNaddub
OrderAmrAmrAmrAmar
Old woman‘Agouz‘AgūzahAgouzKhlibip
OrnamentZenaZīnatGitTchera
OwlBoumBūmTlarhitinTlarhiten
Castle or palaceKaṣrQasrḤazạr ed DowletHăzar Sādahan
Palm of the handKaf-fusaKaffDehòteDehò
PardonG̲h̲afarG̲h̲afarNetur min el habsBeligiter min el habs
A littleShwayaShuwaiyahMustedEinoshedèhe
Where is the townFein el BeledFi ain al baladHoddehabed del FelaniHodde belad
PeopleNāsNāsHaboaHohafon
HeadRāsRāsRasRas
BloodDamMusailo
Disordered bloodDam KholeilDouriDurr
PenKalamQalamKalamKalam
AngerG̲h̲adabG̲h̲adabGhatitaliHetterhinhi
PayWaffaWafạ̄WoffehinkiWaffie
PepperFilfilFilfilFilfilTiflfarlo
Perfume‘It̤r‘It̤rAttarHal
PerspireArak‘AriqDeanghalenIkimen
PinDabbūsDabbūsDabousDabous
PlagueTa‘ūnT̤ā‘ūnDuinhaufal EikeoEiked Ouìhafel
UglyBa‘inBehimetBehimah
PlantNabātNabatNebhatNebout

EnglishArabicMahriSokoteri
What is she doingEish yamèlhuTum ul aisinInempt shüyet
I drink waterAna sherab moyeNehamel el tikheIthkellare
You are very kindEnta latif ketirMeshiri meikinLatif beyne
Do you know Mehri?Enta taraf el MeheriArebuk MeheriAhruh Mehri
We talk SokotriNahn natàllem el SokoteriNahan natallùm SokoterioteIk n‘atalam Sokoteria
Give me anotherGibli waḥad t̲h̲ānaHateli tadrhaaAbouli beladàtis
How many days from here to the sea?Kam ayo‘om min hinna illa el bahrKam yom m‘boun ta heikKam yom menha afta‘a
Near the waterGarīb el moyaLal diho

[15] When they wish to warn the camel not to knock against anything in a narrow place they cry 'Berri! Berri!'


LIST OF SOME OF THE ARABIC AND OTHER WORDS EXPLAINED IN THE TEXT

[A] These words are used by the Gara.


INDEX


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