Page 102 - A Hand Book of Arabia Vol 2_Neat

SOUTH-Wj-oTEEIN ROUTES (Nos. 40-66) 53

E. SOUTH-WESTERN ROUTES (Nos. 40-66)

(i) Routes in Asir

These routes (Nos. 40-54) have been compiled entirely from native
information, and therefore can only be expected to locate approxi­
mately the places referred to. Travelling in Asir is apt to be a dan­
gerous matter, not through any natural causes, but on account of the
uncontrolled and predatory character of the tribes. Natives, there­
fore, generally attach themselves to some armed caravan before
venturing outside their own boundaries. The Turks in Asir have,
for some time past, been restricted to the use of the road down
Wadi Tayyah from Ibha (Ebha) to Muha’il (Route No. 45), and to
the Sikkat el-Barak, or Tariq es-Sultani, from Muha’il on to
Qunfudah (Route No. 49).
With two exceptions the routes here given start from Ibha or
Muha’il. Nos. 40-47 radiate from Ibha, beginning with the track
leading SSW. to Darb on the main Tihamah road ; the remaining
seven routes are arranged in order round the circle, concluding
with that to Wahlah, which also lies on the Tihamah road to the
NE. of Darb. Route No. 40, from Ibha to Darb, known as the
Darb Beni Shi'bah, is not much used, being rough and precipitous
in parts and infested by hostile Arabs. It has, however, a certain
strategical importance, as part of an alternative route between
Sabia (Sablyah) and Ibha. The direct track from Ibha to Sabia
is given as Route No. 41. The main inland road from the Yemen
to the Hejaz is described in Routes No. 42 (Ibha to Dahran) and
No. 44 (Ibha to Ta’if). It lies for the most part through elevated
hilly country, and is practicable both for donkeys and camels. The
Ibha to Bishah road (Route No. 43) sees considerable traffic during
the date season. It is only traversed by large and well-armed
caravans on account of the robber bands of nomads en route. The
caravans, as a rule, are formed at Khamis Musheit, and travel
"nder the escort of the Shahran tribe. The road is fairly level, and
passes over a sterile and undulating country intersected by several
, Ttile valleys. The variant of the route represents the line taken
the Sherif’s forces in 1911.
I ^°ute No. 45, from Ibha to Muha’il via Wadi Tayyah, though used
. “le Turks, is avoided by travellers and merchants, because
!;1 her water nor supplies can be procured for more than half the
stance, and because the Wadi Tayyah is infested with robbers.
lslor ™iite coincides with the main pilgrim route to Mecca as far
'' -'ebel Sha'r, and then plunges abruptly down the pass of ;Aqabah