Mount Sanam makes for a surprising sight, rising out of the middle of the desert. Locals believe it is home for ghosts.

10/02/2020
245 2 minutes read

By Ahmed Taha Hajo, in Basra

 

Almost in the centre of the province of Basra, a long, flat stretch of desert is interrupted by a hump that the locals here have named Mount Sanam, after the camel’s hump. The people of Safwan, the area in which Mount Sanam rises, have invested the strange protuberance with magical powers and told plenty of fairy tales about it, including an origin story about two mountains that became lovers, mostly because it just seems so odd that a mountain should simply rise out of the desert landscape.

Mount Sanam is around 152 meters high and the surrounding area bearing the name, is around 1,700 meters long and 1,200 meters wide. Within it there are an estimated 64 valleys.

“People here tell stories they first heard from their own ancestors, about the mountain,” says Haj Farhan al-Saraifi, one of the oldest residents in Safwan. “They believe there are ghosts living there. Local factory owners have talked about taking stones and rocks from the mountain one day, only to return to find the same stones and rocks back again, as though they magically returned to the mountain,” he recounts.

Local woman, Um Abdullah, says she and her family go to the Mount Sanam area every year and search for herbs and truffles that grow there after it rains.

“I swear upon my darlings’ lives, that I once heard a child’s voice crying out in the wilderness,” she tells. “That caused a panic and our whole family fled. It didn’t just happen once. It has also happened to other members of my family, including my brothers, who go to the mountain at different times of the year. They too hear strange voices, and children crying, and they have been pelted by stones which seem to come from out of nowhere,” she says.

Local geologist, Wathiq Ghazi Abdul Nabi, has a less intriguing explanation for how Mount Sanam rose out of the plains. “Because the area is so low, it’s likely that large amounts of salts were deposited here. Heat and other factors have calcified the salts,” the Basra university lecturer explains. “Mount Sanam is actually just like the top, or the hat, on this large salt formation. The rest of the hat wearer’s body is buried about 6 kilometres below the desert.”

According to the university’ s research the mountain of salt is actually rising about 2 millimetres a year.

In 2016, local authorities wanted to make Mount Sanam as a nature reserve. In the past military groups had used it as a base and various businesses have tried to extract materials for building. Now there were plans formulated to remove military and other debris and to build a museum. They also wanted to take better care of the rare plants that grow in the unique environment here.

A lot of local families come here to enjoy the wilderness in February and March every ear, when it is cooler in the desert, says Hamdan Badr, a young local man who works on a nearby farm. “The height of the mountain and the beauty of its scenery make it a wonderful place for a walk,” he says. “But the local authorities are not as concerned as they should be about the value of this place.”

 

10/02/2020
245 2 minutes read

Related Articles

Photo of ARMS RACE: Iraqi tribes using heavy weapons in local conflicts

ARMS RACE: Iraqi tribes using heavy weapons in local conflicts

07/09/2021
Photo of TEARS OF A CLOWN: Meeting the only, lonely clown of Basra

TEARS OF A CLOWN: Meeting the only, lonely clown of Basra

07/09/2021
Photo of SLOW START: Iraq’s election campaigns hampered by postponement fears, harassment

SLOW START: Iraq’s election campaigns hampered by postponement fears, harassment

07/09/2021
Photo of HEAVEN’S LANGUAGE AT RISK: Once there were 500, but now only 50 Iraqis still speak Mandaic

HEAVEN’S LANGUAGE AT RISK: Once there were 500, but now only 50 Iraqis still speak Mandaic

01/06/2021

66 Comments

  1. I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and reporting!
    Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my personal blogroll.

  2. I read this post completely on the topic of the resemblance
    of most up-to-date and preceding technologies, it’s amazing article.

  3. Asking questions arе genuinely niⅽe thing if yߋu are not uderstanding something entirely,
    except thіs piｅce of wtiting provіdes fastidious undеrstanding yеt.

  4. What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely useful
    and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist
    different customers like its aided me. Good job.

    my web-site – Tri-Bol Testo Pills

  9. What i don’t understood is in reality how you’re no longer really a lot more neatly-liked than you might be right now.

    You are so intelligent. You recognize thus significantly on the subject of this matter, produced me in my view consider it from numerous numerous angles.
    Its like men and women aren’t involved except it’s one thing to do with Woman gaga!
    Your individual stuffs outstanding. Always care for it up!

    Take a look at my web-site frun-test.sakura.ne.jp

  10. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is required
    to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would
    cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so
    I’m not 100% sure. Any suggestions or advice would be
    greatly appreciated. Thank you

    my web page – BoltzPro Reviews

  13. Hi! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I
    came to take a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and
    will be tweeting this to my followers! Exceptional blog and amazing
    style and design.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage – Tri-Bol Testo Review

  15. I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This piece of
    writing posted at this web site is genuinely fastidious.

    Feel free to surf to my web page … kebe.top

  16. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting
    my own weblog and was curious what all is needed to get set up?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any recommendations or advice
    would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

  17. Wow, fantastic weblog structure! How long have you been blogging for?
    you made running a blog look easy. The overall look of your website
    is wonderful, let alone the content![X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]I simply could not depart your
    website prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual information a person provide to your visitors?
    Is going to be again often to inspect new posts.

    Feel free to surf to my web page … http://www.cyberangels.pl/index.php?action=profile;u=3210

  18. Thank you a lot for providing individuals with a very remarkable chance to read in detail from this web site.
    It’s always very pleasing and stuffed with a good time
    for me and my office peers to visit your website no less than three times
    a week to see the new things you have got. And definitely, I’m also usually
    motivated considering the awesome opinions you serve.
    Certain two facts on this page are undoubtedly the simplest I
    have ever had.

    My web-site … xajm168.com

  19. I’m no longer sure the place you are getting your information, however great topic.
    I must spend some time studying much more or working out more.
    Thank you for wonderful information I used to be in search of this information for
    my mission.

    Also visit my web blog lovegamematch.com

  25. Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you
    amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog web site?
    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I were tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast offered brilliant clear idea

    Feel free to surf to my web-site; Bellissi Cream Reviews

  26. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.

    I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.

    I’m quite certain I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here!

    Good luck for the next!

  27. I just could not depart your site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual info a person provide for your guests? Is going to be again ceaselessly in order to check out new posts.

  29. Thanks for the good writeup. It actually was a enjoyment
    account it. Look complex to far brought agreeable from you!

    By the way, how can we communicate?

  31. fantastic points altogether, you simply gained a
    brand new reader. What would you suggest about your post that you simply made a
    few days ago? Any positive?

  34. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but
    after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.

    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!

  37. Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous
    to and you’re just extremely excellent. I actually like
    what you’ve acquired here, really like what
    you are stating and the way in which you say
    it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of
    to keep it wise. I cant wait to read far more from you. This
    is actually a great site.

  38. Wow, awesome blog format! How lengthy have you been running a blog for? you made running a blog glance easy. The full glance of your site is magnificent, let alone the content!

  39. We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community.

    Your website provided us with helpful info to work
    on. You have done an impressive job and our whole neighborhood
    might be thankful to you.

  40. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I have truly enjoyed browsing your weblog posts.
    After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I’m hoping you
    write once more very soon!

  46. It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  50. Good day very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I am glad to search out numerous useful information right here within the put up, we want work out extra techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. firmonet

  52. Just desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness on your post is simply great and
    that i could suppose you’re knowledgeable on this subject.

    Well along with your permission let me to seize your
    feed to stay up to date with imminent post.
    Thank you a million and please continue the enjoyable
    work. cheap flights http://1704milesapart.tumblr.com/ cheap flights

  53. Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where
    I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog
    platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
    Thanks a lot! quest bars http://bit.ly/3jZgEA2 quest bars

  56. I think this is one of the most important information for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things,
    The web site style is wonderful, the articles is really nice
    : D. Good job, cheers scoliosis surgery https://0401mm.tumblr.com/ scoliosis surgery

  59. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems
    as though you relied on the video to make your point. You
    clearly know what youre talking about, why throw
    away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something
    informative to read? ps4 games https://j.mp/3z5HwTp ps4 games

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Back to top button