Travel Guide Taouila

From Shibam, the route to Tawila, then Mahouit, is done by an excellent road of almost 80 km. At the exit of Shibam, we descend into the Famous Wadi Wadi, most of the year, being with by numerous sources, outbreaks and waterfalls. The coffee, previously cultivated, was replaced by qat. The houses that are seen on the road are often built in large eroded rocks, where they espouse the forms to avoid foundations. The towers, fortresses and fortified villages follow up to Tawila. The village is nestled at the height of four peaks, Mahjour, Manqout, Shamsan and Housn, at an altitude of 2 750 metres. The first mention of the village in the chronicles dates back to 1470, but its fortress was built earlier in the th century. Mantova developed mainly during the second Turkish occupation in the th century because it became military base and tax centre in the district of Caucaban. This administrative role was confirmed by the Imam Yéhia and then removed by the republican power for the benefit of the city of Mahouit. The shops of the souk, under the arcades, animate on Sunday and Friday, market days. Mountaineers in regional costumes, dressed with houppelandes or goat fur vests, and enturbannés from imposing shawls wool shawls, come, among other purchases, to discuss the price of qat. One of the nicest views is offered by the mosque and its minaret cut on a mountain bottom. The facades in this region are decorated with black basalt or friezes of small triangles painted in green or blue. The Sheikh of the city is arguably one of the most respected in Yemen. Mohamed Ibhaly is known for his right. In his house, a huge room serves as a court to solve the problems of Tawila and surrounding villages. Its judgment is strong and fair, and everyone accepts it in view of its impartiality. The prison is on the heights behind the city: it is forbidden to mount the summit without authorization. A string below activates a prison bell to warn the guardian of the arrival of visitors. This original system has been used for a very long time.