The matter evidently needs further
examination.
This Dhafar, or the bold mountain above it, is supposed to be the Sephar
of Genesis (x. 30). But it does not seem to be the Sapphara metropolis
of Ptolemy, which is rather an inland city of the same name: "Dhafar was
the name of two cities of Yemen, one of which was near Sana'a ... it was
the residence of the Himyarite Princes; some authors allege that it is
identical with Sana'a" (Marasid-al-Ittila', in Reinaud's Abulfeda, I. p.
124).
Dofar is noted by Camoens for its fragrant incense. It was believed in
Malabar that the famous King Cheram Perumal, converted to Islam, died on
the pilgrimage to Mecca and was buried at Dhafar, where his tomb was much
visited for its sanctity.
The place is mentioned (Tsafarh) in the Ming Annals of China as a
Mahomedan country lying, with a fair wind, 10 days N.W. of Kuli
(supra, p. 440). Ostriches were found there, and among the products are
named drugs which Dr. Bretschneider renders as Olibanum, Storax
liquida, Myrrh, Catechu(?), Dragon's blood. This state sent an
embassy (so-called) to China in 1422. (Haines in J.R.G.S. XV. 116
seqq.; Playfair's Yemen, p. 31; Fresnel in J. As.
