'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎169] (184/1050)

ANA—ANA
Iiihahitants.■ —The people of 'Anah are mostly Sunni Arabs. A few Jews live in the
southern end of the town. The boatmen of 'Anah are famous for their knowledge of the
Euphrates.
Administration and AutJiorilv's. —'Anah is the head-quarters of a Qadha ir the Wilayat
of Baghdad. There was a small Turkish garrison in the place.
Communications. —'Anah is an important halting place on the caravan route between
Baghdad and Aleppo. There is a desert route running across the desert to Mosul. By
river 'Anah is 199 miles above Fallujah and 373 miles below Meskeneh, the river-station
for Aleppo.
There are many islands in the stream above 'Anah. One Of them, Karabilah, is
reported to have ruins upon it; it lies about 4 hours' journey from ancient 'Anah.
Rawah is a small town on the left bank of the Euphrates immediately above 'Anah.
Another island, below modern 'Anah, is Lubbad where there is a village and a ruined
fortress. Lubbad is a little paradise of fruit trees palms, and corn, in the middle of
which is a village of some 30 houses built amongst the heaped-up-ruins of the castle.
From among the houses springs a tall and beautiful minaret. This island was
eonnected to both banks by bridges.—(ifiss Bell)—{0. T. November 1910.)
'ANAIBAR (jazirat)—
An island of the west coast of Qatar [q. it .).
'ANAIJ (Ramlat)—
A narrow strip of rolling sand hills in Trucial 'Oman [q. v.).
'ANAIZAH—
The - principal town of Qasim and in fact of all Najd, it is situated about 150 miles
south-east by east of Hail] 200 miles north-west of Riyadh and 12 miles south of
Buraidah. It is thus about half way between Basrah and Mecca, being distant
about 400 miles from either, and' lies nearly in the straight line, and not far from- mid
way, between the capitals of Northern and Southern Najd. With- good reason it is
regarded by its inhabitants as being the centre of the whole Arabian peninsula and is
stayied by them Umm Najd or "Mother of Central Arabia."
Site and buildings. —The site of 'Anaizah is a loamy hollow 2 or 3 miles from the right
bank of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. -ar-Rummah, underlain by sandstone rook and surrounded by sandy
desert. TO the south-east, at no great distance, are some very barren hills covered
with loose stones. The height of 'Anaizah above the sea is probably about 2,500 feet.
The town is walled and stands in-the middle of an oasis whiclvis also walled, or formerly
was so ; the space between the outer and the inner enceinte is filled with' date groves,
gardens and cultivated fields. On* the north of the town this cultivated belt has a depth
of 1 to 2 miles, and the aspect which the place presents to a traveller approaching from
this side is imposing in its extent as well as in its richness. Both walls are of unbanked
brick work and are strengthened bytowers set at intevals. The outer well being very
thick. The agricultural resources and abundant supply of well-water which the oasis-
contains would render its reduction by blockade a difficult if not impossible task.
Internally the town is divided into three principal wards, each of which has its own
separate banner in time of war ; they are Kharaizah on the north and west, Hofiif on
the south, and Umm Himar on the east. The houses, even the best, are clay-built,
but pleasant and clean : a large proportion of them have upper storeys.
Population. —The inhabitants of 'Anaizah are mostly of the Bani Tamim tribe ; but
the town is said to have been founded by Sabi from' Aridh, to whom Bani Khalid refuges
were added at a later date. There are also some 'Anizah. The total population is
reported at the present time (1917) to bo some what less than that of Buraidah. and
probably does not much exceed 10,000 souls. The people have a free bearing and are
well clad ; they are industrious and not unintelligent, but their disposition has been some
what soured by the Wahhabi form of religious-, which is still in the ascendant, though
not universal, among them. The poorer townsmen resemble Bedouins in garb, and wear
the Kafiyah and ' Aqal of the desert; while the richer classes use the fez, over which
gray-coloured kerchief is loosely thrown. The well-to-do dress in light worsted 'Abas
from 'Iraq, with sometimes an embroidered, collar ;: and persons of good birth, when
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