'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎116] (131/1050)

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AFLlJ
AFLAJ—
Or Aflag, sometimes called with greater precison Aflaj (or Aflag) ad-Dawasir. A
district of Southern Najd descending from Jabal Tuwain on the west to the Dahanah
desert on the east; north of it lie the districts of Hautah and Kharj, and on the south
a great depression called Maqran divides ft from the Ruba'-al-Khali. There is no means;
of determining the real size or exact positron of Afiaj, but it is stated to'be several caravan
days in length from east to west and the centre of Farshah, which is one of its sub-divi
sions, is said to be 2 or 3 days south of the centre at Kharj.
Divisions and physical features. —The Aflaj district consist of several tracts differing
in their characteristics and distinguished by names. Near the western end is Hadhafab
a region enclosed by Jabal Tuwaiq on the west and by Jabal Kirk probably, but not
certainly, a spur of Jabal Tuwaiq—on the north; Hadhafah is described as unin
habited and covered with thorny jungle and is perhaps the part of Aflaj which lies-
between the hill villages mentioned in the topographical table below and the other villages
further to the eastv If this assumption is correct, Hadhafah is seamed by a series of
parallel valleys which run eastwards from the hill villages of Aflaj to those of the pfain,
conveying the drainage of the hills. Of these, the northernmost is one which descends
to Wusailah from Haradhah and is joined between Wusailah and Ghail by another
coming from Starah and Gbail 5 the third passes Hamar and Wasit on its way to Kharfab
and Saih ; a fourth has its rise near Haddar and ends near Badi' ; the southernmost
begins at Shutbah, and arrives by way of 'Ijliyah at Hinu, which is also in the neigh
bourhood of Badi%
On the east of Hadhafah is Aflaj proper, the most important subdivision of the Aflaj
district; it resembles Hadhafah in being bounded on the north by Jabal Birk, a pass in
which—called Salamiyah—connects it with the district of Hautah. The plain villages of
Aflaj are all situted in this part of the district; their names and positions will be found in
the topographical table at the end of this article.. Besides the numerous wells irrigating
date plantations and gardens, Aflaj proper is said to contain as many as 14 springs.
One of these, called Yahmum, rises a short distance to the east of Rajaijiyah village and
forms a stream, which, after flowing about 3 miles, leaves a tall black hill on its left bank
and continues on its way through stony ground until it is absorbed by sandy soil at a dis
tance of about 20 miles from its source.
Next below and to the east of Aflaj proper is the Farshab tract,, on the northern side
of which the Jabal Birk spur at length dies away and ceases to form a barrier between
Aflaj and Kharj. Farshah has numerous wells and some wheat is grown, but there are
no trees or villages ^ cultivation^ where it exists, is defended by small ports,
Farshah is followed on the east by Biya lhah, attract which is adjoined on the north by
Sahabah. Biyadhah contains no springs or wells, but there are Sidr and other wild
trees and some grazing. Apparently at the south-eastern comer of Biyadhah is a pro
minent, dark-coloured hill named Da'ajah, having wells to which Bedouins resort.
East of Biyadhah again is Haraisan ; Da'ajah, just mentioned, marks the point of
transition from the somewhat sandy surface of Biyaihahto the more pebbly ground of
Haraisan. The flood water of Haraisan is carried estawards into the Dahanah by a
depression, called Mahammil, which is barren but contains some grazing.
Shutbah, a tract sstuated'in a recess in the eastern flank of Jabal Tuwaiq and contain
ing a village of the same name, is generally reckoned to Aflaj ; but it lies in the direction
of Widyan Dawasir and is included by some authorities in that district; its drainge
appears to escape north-eastwards into the neighbourhood of Bail' in Aflaj proper.
We may note that the Aflaj district is apparently skirted on the south throughout
a considerable proportion of its length by a depression called Jadwat, which is to the north
of Maqran and parallel to that valley, but of much smaller size. The beginning and
end of Jadwal have not been successfully located ; but it appears to be shorter than
Maqran, which is said to extend the whole way from Jabal Tuwaiq to the Dahanah,
and it is positively asserted that Jadwal and Maqran do not communicate with one ano
ther. According to some authorities the Jadwal depression receives a torrent called
Harim from the direction of Bad!' and swallows up the Yahmum stream which, as we
have seen, rises near Rajaijiyah. Maqran is said to contain large sidr and other trees
and wells at which animals can be watered.