Introducing Kawkaban
Perched dramatically on the top of Jebel Kawkaban and lording it over Shibam, some 350 vertical metres below, is the remarkable village and fortified citadel of Kawkaban. During the 15th century, it served as a capital to the Bani Sharaf Al-Deen dynasty and was once renowned for its school of music. In times of conflict the citizens of Shibam would scurry up here to join their brothers and, thanks to some huge grain silos and water cisterns (which can still be seen today), everyone was able to continue going about their life largely unperturbed by any siege. In fact it wasn’t until the civil war of the 1960s and the coming of air power that Kawkaban was finally conquered.
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Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: Independent travel no more
by wimkerkhof 27 January 2011
I was on a short trip to Sanaa with Yemen Trek this week , felt very relaxed and OK. They suggested I make a daytrip to Kawkaban and Thilla,…
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Car with driver and domestic flights
by isazyr 03 January 2011
Hello fellow travellers! We are a couple planning a 19-day trip in February and we definitely need your help and experience on some speci…
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RE: Best way to spend 3 days in Sana'a...
by chriskean1 08 November 2010
Just wandering around the old city is the best way to spend time in the capital. I have found the people very friendly on my visits.…
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