Chau Ju-Kua - University of Oregon Libraries
Chau Ju-Kua - University of Oregon Libraries
Chau Ju-Kua - University of Oregon Libraries
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130 SOHAR. — SOMALI COAST. I,2G-27<br />
26.<br />
SOHAR (?).<br />
Wii-pa (^ ^).<br />
The country <strong>of</strong> Wu-pa is on the sea-coast and a land road leads hence<br />
to the Ta-sM. The king is <strong>of</strong> a dark brown complexion (^ ^ •^), he 5<br />
wears a turban and a jacket. He follows both the religion and the rules (<strong>of</strong><br />
daily life) <strong>of</strong> the Ta-shi.<br />
Note.<br />
The name Wu-pa does not occur in any other mediaeval Chinese work known to us. It<br />
appears possible that it is the same place referred to by Kia Tan as Wu-la (|& W]\) and 10<br />
which, there is some reason to think, may have been Sohar. See supra, p. 14, n. 1. We are told (infra,<br />
p. 133) that Wong-man, which is certainly Oman, was like Wu-pa in people and general conditions;<br />
this strengthens the belief that the two localities were in pretty close proximity to each other.<br />
Edrisi (Jaubert's trans., J, 152) speaking <strong>of</strong> Sohar says: ((Formerly there came there traders from<br />
all parts <strong>of</strong> the world to bring the products <strong>of</strong> Yemen and export all kinds <strong>of</strong> things, and this 15<br />
contributed to the prosperity <strong>of</strong> the country, which was besides rich in dates, figs, pomegranates,<br />
quinces and other fruits <strong>of</strong> superior quality. Expeditions to China were made from there; but all<br />
this state <strong>of</strong> things has come to an end» since the rise <strong>of</strong> the pirate nest on the island <strong>of</strong> Kish,<br />
which drove the trade <strong>of</strong> the Persian Gulf back to Aden.<br />
27. 20<br />
SOMALI COAST.<br />
Chung-li(4? 3®).<br />
The inhabitants <strong>of</strong> the Chung-li country go bareheaded and barefooted,<br />
they wrap themselves in cotton stuffs, but they dare not wear jackets, for<br />
the wearing <strong>of</strong> jackets and turbans is a privilege reserved to the ministers and 2&<br />
the king's courtiers. The king lives in a brick house covered with glazed<br />
tiles, but the people live in huts made <strong>of</strong> palm leaves and covered with grassT<br />
thatched ro<strong>of</strong>s. Their daily food consists <strong>of</strong> baked flour cakes, sheep's and<br />
camel's milk. There are great numbers <strong>of</strong> cattle, sheep and camels ^<br />
Among the countries <strong>of</strong> the Ta-shii this is the only one which produces so<br />
frankincense ^.<br />
There are many sorcerers among them who are able to change them-<br />
selves into birds, beasts, or aquatic animals, and by these means keep the
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