Azq -- A measure of distance about an inch long. People in the
countryside use the distance from the tip of their index finger
to the first fold (Angua).
Sinzir -- A measure of distance from the tip of the middle finger to the tip of the thumb while the hand is fully extended (could
reach anywhere between six to twelve inches depending on the
length of the hand).
Kend -- A measure of distance from the tip of one's elbow to the tip of the middle finger. This distance could be anywhere from
from a foot to nearly two feet depending the size of the arm.
Aarb -- A measure of lengh approximately about a yard. Used to
measure woven fabrics like shoals. (Netela, Gabi, Kuta)
Chamma -- A mesure of distance from the back of the heel to the tip of the big toe. A chamma could be anywhere from a few inches to aa dozen or more inches depending the size of one's foot.
Enqib -- A measure of volume approximately about one bushel. This is used to measure grains.
Dawulla -- A volume measure of approximately 50 kgs. The size of the dawulla depends on the size of the animal (goat or sheep)
that used to inhabit the skin of which the dawulla was made.
Unsed to measure grains.
Ermijja -- A linear distance measure of about a yard of a
person's extended walk.
Senselet-- A linear measure used to measure land. (I do not have the exact distance of a Senselet at this point, but I will look
it up).
Gasha -- An area measure of land. (25 Senselet Squared) (A Gasha is 25 Senselet by 25 Senselet).
Tassa, Ensira, Gerewoina and Gan -- These are containers of
liquids which are also used to measure volume. A Tassa is about a
litre, Ensira depends on how big the container happens to be
anywhere from two to several gallons, Gerewoina is about 20 or 30
litres (I have to check), and a Gan is several gallons.
Feresulla -- This is a kind of volume measure that seems to
change with the item being measured. A Feresulla Qibe (butter)
is different from a Feresulla Mar (honey) and this is different
from a Feresulla Berbere (Red peppers).
Quintal -- A hunderd kgs. of weight (This looks like it may have come with modern measuring instruments).
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(c)2004 HIM contents (summary of the HS web-biography) *
Liberty is always unfinished business. --anonymous
