'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎475] (506/1050)

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DAL—DAM 475
BALM AH (H alat)—
A pearl-bank in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. about 27 miles north-west from the island of Dalmah
(q.V.).
DALWAH—
See Hasa (Al) (Oasis).
DAM or ILDAM—
The administrative capital and principal town of the district of Widyan Dawasir in
southern Najd ; it appears to be situated about midway between the eastern and western
ends of that part of the district which is known as Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Dawasir.
Site and buildings,—The town is surrounded by a wall in which there are four
gateways: internally it is divided into two wards,' Ayaidhat and Shawaiq, to each of which
a bazaar or Suq of the same name is attached. 'Ayaidhat is apparently on the west
side of the town and Shawaiq on the east, while Suq-ash-Shawaiq is almost in the centre.
The two bazaars, which are open squares, are connected by a street that widens out
between them to form the meat market, known as Maqsab. On the east side of the
town near one of the gateways is the combined fort and residence of the Amir, called
Qasr-al-Hasaiyin which has several high towers. There are four large mosques, two in
the Ayaidhat quarter and one at each end of the Suq-ash-Shawaiq ; but, as is usual in
this part of Arabia, they are without decoration or architectural features. The ordinary
houses of the town are frequently of brick and mortar and rise to an upper storey;
sometimes they are whitewashed, and sometimes the lower part of the walls is painted
green or red. The fa9ades of the upper storeys are often ornamented with a balcony
projecting considerably over the entrance door.
The people are Dawasir of the Rijban division and number perhaps
5,000 souls. They are described as independent in politics, bold in war, and enterprising
in trade ; they are reported to be well armed with rifles, and Dam merchants are said to
make journeys to both India and Africa in the ordinary course of business. In religion
the inhabitants of Dam are Wahhabis or Hanbali Sunnis ; the mosques of the town are
not many, apparently on account of a local preference for large over numerous congre-
gations : There are about five much frequented schools, of which the Madrasat-bin-
Dharman is the best known, and about 15 smaller ones. Female education is unknown
here except in the family of the Amir and the houses of religious teachers.
Agricultural and oilier resources, —The date groves are very extensive and contain an
enormous numbers of palms. Other fruits are grown in abundance, and there is some
cultivation also of wheat, barley, maize and lucerne, but almost entirely as secondary
crops among the palms in the date gardens. Wells are numerous both within the town
and outside it; the ordinary depth is about five fathoms, and the water as a rule is only
fairly good ; inside the walls however there are some excellent wells, notably those of
Atainah, Hamaili, Jalib and Mathlah. A large number of camels are owned here and
a considerable number of horses ; but cattle are scarce and donkeys very few.
Trade and industries. Imported goods, except arms and ammunition which are
brought from Qatar through Afiaj, are received by way of Yaman and Hijaz. Merchants
from Yaman and Najran are said to visit Dam but maintain no permanent business
agencies there. Among the crafts exercised in the town are those of goldsmith, black
smith, tinsmith, carpenter, potter, tailor and oil-presser. The number of shops in the
bazaar is said to be very large, but the statistics obtained are not reliable. Swords and
daggers of fine temper are made, but the daggers are not equal to those of Hadhramaut.
Dam appears to be a rifle repairing and cartridge loading centre for a large tract of
country, including Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Sabai' as well as the whole of Widyan Dawasir. It is reported
that an attempt was lately made by som 3 mechanics, who had gained experience abroad,
to start a rifle factory An East India Company trading post. ; but it proved impossible to turn out weapons which could
compete either in quality or in price with those imported from Europe.
Administration. —Dam is the seat of an Amir whose power is absolute in the town and
extends m a modified degree to all the villages of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Dawasir and Salaiyil. His
political position is described in the article on Widyan Dawasir. The quarters of
Ayaidhat and Shawaiq have each a Shaikh of their own ; both of these Shaikhs are of
course m strict subordination to the Amir.— {Gazetteer of the Persian Oulf.)
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