Al-Amn Magazine

HISTORY Nat ura l wonders of Bahrai n Freshwater spri ngs ’ surpri se J awajib, which means ‘planets’, are freshwater springs once scattered along the coasts and seas of Bahrain. While these are mostly not seen now, there are still a few that are there and visible during low tide. These are rocky reefs between which freshwater flows and gushes forth, similar to a spring. These springs are filled with sweet water, which divers, fishermen, and the local population draw their water from. These springs are usually exposed at low tide, but at high tide, they are covered by seawater. Methods of collecting water from sea springs In the days gone by, at low tide, water was collected in clay pots or goatskin bags, as the water usually flowed above the sea surface, making it easier to fill the pots. Women usually did this work. At high tide, the sea rises several feet above the mouth of the spring. In this case, water was drawn from these springs by divers. There are several ways to obtain water during high tide. These methods include using leather skins, which are first emptied of air and their openings sealed. Description of springs There are numerous natural marine springs around the islands of Bahrain. They are primarily located along the eastern and northeastern coasts near Sitra Island and Muharraq Island, and to a lesser extent, on the northern coasts of Bahrain Island near Sanabis, Barbar, and Diraz. Al-Nabhani al-Ta’i, who visited Bahrain at the beginning of the last century (1911 AD), described these springs in his book, «The Nabhaniyya Masterpiece,» stating: «In the middle of the sea are a number of fresh springs that gush forth vigorously. Drinkers dive into them to fill their water skins for ships and for drinking by most of the townspeople. Some of the springs are located on the seashore, and their water flows over the surface of the earth. When the sea ebbs and the water appears, they draw water from them. When the sea rises, it rises to a height of about six cubits, and people dive into them to draw water. Marine springs are the purest water, as they are protected from the impurities that are often blown into the springs by the