"كتيّب الجزيرة العربية. المجلد I. ١٩١٧" [‎٢‎٧‎٤] (٧٤٨/٢٨٣)

274
THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
about 150 houses, mainly of the Beni 'Auf and 'Abriyin tribes.
Much wheat and indigo are grown.
7. Birkat el-M6z, a large village about 6 miles W. of Izki, on the
northern edge of the plain of Oman Proper, at the point where Wadi
Mi'aidin emerges from Jebel Akhdhar ; population about 1,400, of
which some 1,250 belong to the Beni Riyam, who occupy the chief
of its three quarters. There are extensive date-groves, and plantains
(to which the place owes its name) are numerous. Irrigation is by
felej. To the W. of the village is a watch-tower on a conical hill,
commanding the water-supply. Beyond it is a fort, known as the
Beit Rudeidah, and consisting of a rectangular enclosure with an
upper storey and towers at the corners; it was formerly held by
a relative of the Sultan of Oman, but at present is in the hands of
the Beni Biyam.
8. Muti, a large village on the right bank of Wadi Halfein, 4 miles
above Izki; elevation 2,300 ft. It consists of about 300 houses,
and is occupied by the Beni Riyam ; it possesses numerous date-
groves.
9. Izki (or Zikki), an important town on both banks of the Wadi
Halfein, about 12 miles below its head ; elevation, 2,150 ft.; popu
lation about 4,000. The quarter on the 1. bank contains some 450
houses of the Beni Riyam. The right bank is higher, and here is
the walled quarter of the Beni Ruwahah, with a compact and
massive fort, having walls 5 ft. thick, and standing on a cliff 200 ft.
above the bed of the wadi. The opposite quarters are constantly
at feud, the one being Ghafiri, the other Hinawi in politics. The
bed of the wadi is here broad, and contains extensive palm-groves
and other cultivation, especially on the left bank, which is low and
fertile. Irrigation is from springs, which are among the most
copious in Oman. Outside the settlement are several hamlets and
watch-towers.
The fort of Izki is of great strategic importance, for it dominates
the main artery of traffic between the coast and the interior by way
of the Wadi Sema'il. In normal times it is held by the Sultan of
Oman, who maintains a Vali there with a garrison of 20 men;
$1,600 is collected annually as Za but the whole is absorbed in
the expenses of local administration.
10. Falaj el-'Awamir, a group of villages in the Wadi Halfein
or in its neighbourhood, below Izki, all occupied by the Awamir
tribe. The two largest are Qal'at el-'Awamir, containing about
70 houses and a fort, and Hameidhah, a village of some 50 mud
houses and huts.
11. Manah, an important town, about 12 miles SSE. of Nizwa