Bani Mussa’ab: A magical mountaintop village thats in need of a hand up [Archives:2002/14/Last Page]

Mujahed Al-Musaabi
Yemen Times Staff
On the top of mountains, steadfast like Yemeni steadfastness, Is Bani Mussa’ab, one of the oldest civilizations ever built.
It is an evidence of the Yemeni’s rugged conditions of life. One would be amazed to see how successfully Yemenis could change these rough mountains to safe settlements, and the barren stony nature to charming irrigation terraces covered in green all year long.
In spite of the many changes In the world, this place is an example of how Yemen still draws from the wisdom of Its ancestors to survive such harsh lifestyles.
People don’t have the basic facilities of life. They depend only on the seasonal rains for irrigation, and live off animals like cows, from their milk and fat.
The nice atmosphere, the green irrigation terraces, the fantastic peaks that hug the clouds and the rare birds circling around the tops are all unique attractions. Moreover, the unique architecture is also a proof of the Yemenis guineas and creativeness.
Bani Mussa’ab is a village which carry the name of the first Islamic propagandist to Yemen, Mussa’ab bin Omeer, who came to Yemen as the prophet Mohammed asked him to carry his mission to the Yemenis.
Bani Mussa’ab is about 300 km south west of Sana’a. It belongs to Raima province, Sana’a govern rate. It expands on top of the two mountains Ontoor and Huzar, which is considered the second tallest mountain in Raima, about 3,000 meters height.
Visitors to Bani Mussa’ab will be fascinated by the wonderful waterfalls which go down hills in a very attractive musical sound, the evergreen areas, and the coffee trees which spread as you go down the mountains.
The general view of the village is inspiring and carries you to another world of beauty and magic. Unfortunately, due to its remoteness and difficult nature, it is deprived of roads and other facilities.
Tourists here?
While no tourist could visit it, its mountainous nature qualifies it to be good for climbing.
Bani Mussa’ab was famous in the past for its strategic locations on the peaks that had been used by Ottomans as military facilities during the Ottomans sovereignty in Yemen about 80 years ago. Moreover, many antiques, weapons, and antique coins were found deep in these peaks. Many people believed that there are many undiscovered treasures still hidden in the depths.
As many other Yemeni mountainous countryside, Bani Mussa’ab has distinguished weather, with clean air and cloudy peaks. It is warm rainy in summer, and cloudy and dry in winter.
The population is about 3,000, people depending mainly on agriculture and the seasonal rains. They grow many kinds of agricultural products like corns, coffee, vegetables and qat as well. But due to the lack of rains, health services and other essential facilities, about 60% of the people have left to the main cities where job opportunities and life supports are available.
People here suffered a lot because of the lack of the basic services like roads, electricity and health establishments. Women play a very important role in this village, carrying wood and water on her back from far areas, working in the farms along with the men and doing the house business as well. Theirs is a story of human suffering that stretches as long as the charming view.
It needs some help
It is really a pity for such a beautiful region to be in isolation, deprived of roads, electricity and clean water. The government needs to at least provide the region with electrical generators.
It was suggested that this area can be a sanctuary because of its natural qualifications. However, there are only two schools and a small health unit In Bani Mussa’ab. People need more.


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