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Al malik al Afdal al-Abbas (Rasulid Sultan);
Fasl fi marifat al matanim wa al asiqa fi al Yaman al mahrusa (a royal crop register for the year 1372)
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Taken from: Varisco; Medieval Folk Astronomy and Agriculture in Arabia and the Yemen
The names of the months are taken from the Roman numerals. The Julian reckoning in the time of al Abbas was about 8 days less then in our modern calendar.
I. Kanun al-Thani (January)
II Shubat (February)
III Adhar (March)
IV Nisan (April)
V Ayyar (May)
VI Haziran (June)
VII Tammuz (July)
VIII Ab (August)
IX Aylul (September)
X Tishrin al Awwal (October)
XI Tishrin al Thani (November)
XII Kanun al Awwal (December)
Aden
The sailing called saih from Aden to Egypt is at XII:15. Those who sail at IV:7 to Egypt are called lahiq. The Indians leave for Aden at X:10, which is called; the first of the season (awwal zaman). The dimani (wind in S-W direction) sailing from Aden is at IV:23. The last sailing of the Indians for Aden is at III:8, which is called; the last of the season (akhir zaman). The first of the nayruz calendar is at I:2. The Mogadishu (boats) sail from Aden at VI:7. The commerce in madder (fuwwa) in Aden is at V:1. The season for (commerce in) horses in Aden is at VIII:15
Al-Shihr
The Dhofari (boats) sail to here on IV:17 and the Mogadishu (boats) at III:15. The last sailing of the Indians to here is III:8. The Adeni (boats) sail here at IV:24; the last sailing of the Adeni to here is at IV:27.
Date palm: pollination at I:25; tax estimate in V ; tax assessment in VI.
Bughyat al-fallahin f al-ashjar al-muthmira wa-al-rayahin (Desirable Practices of Farmers for Flowering Trees and Aromatic Plants)
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Taken from: Daniel Martin Varisco Medieval Agriculture and Islamic Science
Medieval Folk Astronomy and Agriculture in Arabia and the Yemen By Daniel Martin Varisco
Major Rasulid agricultural text
A wide variety of tree crops, shrubs and fruits (total 34) are classified in theBughya ( f. 81r-129v)
On fol 118r a variety of banana (mawz) from Mogadishu is recorded to exist in Yemen
In order to protect grape leaves from caterpillars and worms, (103v) recommended smoking the vines with a mixture of goat hooves, wastage from working ivory, waste from pine-nut. (sanawbar) and lily of the valley (sawsan).
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Taken from: Varisco; Medieval Folk Astronomy and Agriculture in Arabia and the Yemen
The anonymous almanac was found in a manuscript from the library of al Malik al Abbas who died in 1376.
Tishrin al-Awwal (October)
1 (Equivalent to) 4 Babih
3 The east wind begins to blow
4 Last cutting of wood in Yemen.
5 Dawn rising of simak and setting of batn al-hut, the naw of which is four nights of rain. At this time is the naw of asad. Planting of ishwi sorghum. Last of the lawaqih days (which harm the face). Beginning of decline in water sources and the Nile. Egyptians plant.
6 Fleas are less abundant.
7 Cutting of wood in Syria.
8 Arrival of the Mogadishu (ships) to Aden. Arrival of the crane and wagtail in Egypt.
10 Season for planting clover in Egypt.
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Kanun al-Awwal (December)
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14 The sun enters Capricorn. Shortest day and most intense cold. Then the daylight begins to increase. Entering of the winter season.
15 Evening rising of Sirius, which is (also called) alib. Planting of qiyad (wheat and barley) in the mountains.
16 Sailing of the Mogadishu (ships) from Aden. The humor of phlegm is active. First inflorescence of date palms.
17 Season for crushing sugar cane.
19 First harvest of sabii (sorghum) in the coastal region.
20 water freezes.
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Haziran (June)
1 (Equivalent to) 7 Bauna. First presence of fresh ripe dates and peaches.
5 First sailing of the Mogadishu (ships) from Aden.
8 The Nile of Egypt becomes full of sediments. Last of the khamsin winds.
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Attributed to the Sultan al Malik al Afdal al-Abbas
Taken from: Medieval agriculture and Islamic science.
To transfer the dates given in the manuscript to present day dates add about 9 days
The ships left Mogadishu for Aden at 9th Libra (25 sept)
The arrival of the ships at Aden from Mogadishu 17th Capricornus (29 dec)
Departure of ships from Aden to Mogadishu 22th Gemini (5 of june) and 30th Scorpius (Nov 14th)