The travels of ibn batuta

 
Hasik; where many Arab fishermen reside. We have here the
 
incense tree. This 
tree has a thin leaf, which when scarified produces a fluid like milk: this turns into gum, 
and is then called loban, or frankincense. The houses are built with the bones of fish, and 
are covered with the skins of camels. 
Leaving this place, we arrived in four days at the mountain of Lomaan, which stands in 
the middle of the sea. On the top of it is a strong edifice of stone, and on the outside of 
this there is a reservoir for the rain-water.
After two days I arrived at the island of Tair, in which there is not a house: it abounds 
with such birds as the sparrow. After this I came to a large island, in which the 
inhabitants have nothing to eat but fish. I then arrived at the city of Kulhat, which is 
situated on the top of a mountain. The inhabitants are Arabs, whose language is far 
from elegant, land who are, for the most part, schismatics. This, however, they keep 
secret, because they are subject to the
 
King of Hormuz, who is of the Sunni sect. 
I then set out for the country of Amman, and after six days' journey through a desert, 
arrived there on the seventh. It abounds with trees, rivers, gardens, with palms, and 
various fruit trees. I entered one of the principal cities of these parts, which is Nazwa. 
This is situated on a hill, and abounds with gardens and water. The inhabitants are 
schismatics of the Ibazia sect. They fall in with the opinions of the base
Ibn Moljam, and 
say, that he is the saint who shall put an end to error. They also allow the Caliphates of 
Abu Baker and Omar, but deny those of Othman and Ali. Their wives are most base; yet, 
without denying this, they express nothing like jealousy on the subject. 
The Sultan of Amman is an Arab of the tribe of El Azd, named Abu Mohammed Ibn 
Nahban; but Abu Mohammed is with them a general title, given to any ruler, just as 
Atabek, and other titles are, to Sultans of other places. The inhabitants eat the flesh of the 
domestic ass, which is sold in the streets, and which they say is lawful. 
CHAPTER XII [Central Asian Steppes] 
I 
THEN 
went on to the city of Sanub, which is large, and belongs to the governor of 
Kastamunia, Soleiman Badshaw. I remained here some time. Leaving this place I 
proceeded by sea for the city of El Kirarn (Crim), but suffered considerable distress in the 
voyage, and was very near being I drowned. We arrived, however, at length, at the port of 
El Kirash, which belongs to the desert country of Kifjak. This desert is green and 
productive : it has, however, neither tree, mountain, hill, nor wood in it. The inhabitants 
burn dung. They travel over this desert upon a cart, which they call Araba. The journey is 
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one of six months ; the extent of three of which belongs to the Sultan Mohammed Uzbek 
Khan; that of three more to the infidels. I hired one of these carts for my journey from the 
port of Kirash to the city of El Kafa, which belongs to Mohammed Uzbek. The greater 
part of the inhabitants are Christians, living under his protection. From this place I 
travelled in a cart to the city of El Kiram, which is one of the large and beautiful cities of 
the districts of the Sultan Mohammed Uzbek Khan. From this place I proceeded, upon a 
cart which I had hired, to the city of El Sarai, the residence of Mohammed Uzbek. The 
peculiarity of this desert is, that its herbs serve for fodder for their beasts: and on this 
account their cattle are numerous. They have neither feeders nor keepers, which arises 
from the severity of their laws against theft, which are these: When any one is convicted 
of having stolen a beast, he is compelled to return it with nine others of equal value. But, 
if this is not in his power, his children are taken. If, however, he have no children, he is 
himself slaughtered just like a sheep. 
After several days' journey I arrived at Azak, which is a small town situated on the sea-
shore. In it resides an Emir on the part of the Sultan Mohammed, who treated us with 
great respect and hospitality. From this place I proceeded to the city of El Majar, which is 
a large and handsome place. The Turkish women of these parts are very highly respected, 
particularly the wives of the nobles and kings. These women are religious, and prone to 
almsgiving and other good works. They go unveiled, however, with their faces quite 
exposed. 
I next set out for the camp of the Sultan, which was then in a place called Bish Tag, or