389
KEREK.
is supported by two arches, much in the same way as in the ancient ¬
buildings of the Haouran, which latter however have generally
but one arch. Over the arches thick branches of trees are laid,
and over the latter a thin layer of rushes. Along the wall at the
extremity of the room, opposite to the entrance, are large earthen
reservoirs of wheat (Kowari ). There is generally no other
aperture in these rooms than the door, a circumstance that renders
them excessively disagreeable in the winter evenings, when the
door is shut and a large fire is kindled in the middle of the floor.
Some of the Arab tribes in the territory of Kerek pay a small annual ¬
tribute to the Sheikh of Kerek, as do likewise the peasants
who cultivate the shores of the Dead sea. In order, however, to
secure their harvests against any casualties, the Kerekein have
deemed it expedient to pay, on their part, a tribute to the Southern ¬
Arabs called El Howeytat, who are continually passing this
way in their expeditions against the Beni Szakher. The Christians
pay to one of the Howeytat Sheikhs one Spanish dollar per family,
and the Turks send them annually about fifteen mule loads of carpets ¬
which are manufacured at Kerek. Whenever the Sheikhs of
the Beni Szakher visit the town, they receive considerable presents
by way of a friendly tribute.
The district of Kerek comprises three other villages, which are
under the orders of the Sheikh of Kerek: viz. Ketherabba (125).
Oerak (,2), and Khanzyre (). There are besides a great
number of ruined places in the district, the principal of which are
the following ; Addar (), Hedjfa (as), Hadada (ss), Thenye
(a), three quarters of an hour to the S. of the town ; Meddyn
), Mouthe (4,o), Djeldjoun (), Djefeiras (), Datras
), about an hour and a half S. E. of the town, where some
walls of houses remain ; Medjdelein (), Yarouk (), Seraf
