In some ways this was the original swimming pool of Hadhramout.
The first modern swimming pool in Tareem was built in BaHawash district by the Aljunieds who had strong trade in Singapore.
I had followed a friend who was interested in leasing two connected farms of a total of 8 acres. A representative was in charge of both, one private owned and the other an endowment.
This second visit was to assess the efficiency of the pump and the well. It required repair work and/or deeper digging, otherwise you’d be getting less water for the same amount of diesel which was becoming silly expensive and sometimes just plain unavailable. Note in the beginning he pours in a small amount of diesel from a juice bottle.
Due to modernization imposed on Hadhramout especially the Socialist regime, this land had lost and forgotten a good amount of knowledge of traditional self sustainable farming. And now at the mercy of modern (and speculative costs for) elements such as diesel, herbicides and pesticides – all from foreign lands.
The well water flows out into a retainer tank, which overflows into pipes and thus begins flood irrigation. Perhaps 4 feet deep, and ten by ten. Depends on how they choose to design it. I’ve seen some three times larger.
Anyhow it’s amazing. Farmers dip in and perfume up before going home to the family.
It’s like chilling in a small pool with a tiny waterfall that gives you warm water after dawn and cold water before dusk, precisely what you’d prefer.
As it may sun for a few hours, at the point of the overflow you may find people using that vast flow of water to do laundry, especially blankets, sheets, carpets, etc.
The swimming algae in it tells you how alive the water is. 🙂
