"دليل الجزيرة العربية المجلد II" [‎١‎٢‎٦‎٥] (٦٨٨/٣١٤)

MUJ—MUK 1265
MUJAWtR—
One of the Aqra' group of the rural tribes of 'Iraq (7. r.).
MUJDAIR—
A tract in the Pibdibah steppe, Kuwait Principality ; it is bounded on the north-east
by the gravelly desert of Al-Qara'ah and on the north-west by that of Subhan, both of
which are portions of Dibdibah. On the south it adjoins the huge distcict of Summan
but on the south-east the boundary between Mujdair and the parent tract of Dibdibah is
indeterminate. The centre of Mujdair lies about 30 miles to the north-east of the wells
of As-Safah.
MUJIYAN—
A ridge sand, forming a landmark, in the Nafud (f^. v.), in northern eeucral Arabia.
MUKAINIS—
A halting place in the interior of Qatar {q. v.), eastern Arabia.
MUKAIYAR (J azirat-al)—
Anislet off the east coast of Qatar (q. v.)^ eastern Arabia.
MUKALLA—
Next to Aden, the principal port on the southern coast of Arabia, is situated about 300
miles east-north-east irom Aden, and is built partly on a rocky point between two bays
and partly in terraces (like a miniature Genoa) on a slope at the foot of a reddish lime
stone cliff which rises to a height of about 300 feet immediately at the back of the town,
and on which are four conspicuous towers for the protection of the place ; it is, in fact,
the only place between Aden and Masqat with any pretensions to a port.
The town is protected on the western side by a wall which extends from the cliff to the
shore, and having only one entrance gate. The Governor's house is a large prominent
square building ; the others are chiefly huts intermingled with a few stone houses, but
the houses on the point are of stone, and of a more modern and substantial description.
In this quarter is the bazaar, which is well stocked with all the requirements of Arab life.
There are two main mosques.
The immediate vicinity of Mukalla is particularly barren, but about one mile inland,
to westward, is an oasis of gardens, belonging to the Governor, irrigated by a good stream
of water. The water-supply of the town is obtained by means of an iron pipe from the
source of this same stream.
The harbour, having a fixed light elevated 25 feet at the extreme end of the pro
montory, is not available for anchorage during the south-west monsoons, and then a
considerable portion of the trade is diverted to Bandar Burum, a place about 16 miles
to south-westward, where good anchorage is found all the year round. The climate of
Mukalla is very trying, and the heat on shore is often very excessive ; but land and sea
breezes, with showers of rain occasionally, mitigate it from October to April and again
in June and July.
A very considerable trade is carried on with India, the Somali Coast, the Red Sea, and
Masqat. The exports are chiefly gums, hides, senna, and a small quantity of coffee ;
the imports, cotton stuffs, metals, and crockery from Bombay, dates and dried fruits
from Masqat, coffee from Aden, and sheep, aloes, and frankincense from African ports.
Steam vessels call here and steamers run to Aden ; but the coasting trade is carried on
mainly by native sailing craft of from 100 to 300 tons, the greater number arriving
during the date season.
The population was estimated by Hirsch " at about the same as that of Shihr," viz.,
6,000, and is a very mixed one.
MUKARRAMAH (
MUKARRAMAT I
Two separate localities on the left bank of the Tigris (q. v.) between 'Ali-al-Gharbi and
Kumait.
C52(w)GSB