374. Sūf | سوف

Jerash Governorate

Maqām Shēkh Nām / Ghanām

JADIS no. none.

MEGA no. none.

Coordinates: 32°18'56.7"N 35°50'15.8"E

32.315744, 35.837722

Plan: The shrine consists of a large old terebinth (buṭm, age approximately 500 years) tree surrounded by a wall of undressed field limestones. Below the tree is the tomb of the saint. Today it is entirely clad with concrete.

Measurements: unknown.

Exterior: unknown.

Interior: unknown.

Building Materials: local limestone.

Construction details: unknown.

Preservation: Today’s sacred tree seems to be the same as the one in the 1911 photograph (fig. 374.1) even though the area around the tree in 1911 looks flatter than the area today. Today the area drops down precipitously a few meters to the N of the tree. It is not clear whether that drop off is in the 1911 photograph or not. Also, today’s tree is several meters lower than the level of the street to the S. Across the street is a large open area that is an old cemetery, with the graves concentrated in the E part. According to local customs of the past, women intertwined soft branches of this tree into their hair to be blessed and guarded against misfortune and illness. Also, women burned incense regularly around the tree to safeguard and protect it from any harm (Nueimat – Alkilani 2002).

Inscription: none known.

Date: unknown.

Traveler Report: none known.

Bibliography: AuS I, 1 fig. 6; Nueimat - Alkilani 2002, 22.