saaidamn.
/ˈsʌɪdəm/, /ˈsʌɪdam/, U.S. /ˈsaɪdəm/, South African English /ˈsaɪdəm/ South African.
A basin of land enclosed by artificial earthen walls, designed to receive flood-water for its irrigation. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [noun] > irrigated land
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huerta1838
saaidam1925
1925 R. Deakin Southward Ho! vii. 79 The raising of crops with the help of saaidams..would transform the scene.
1937 Handbk. Farmers S. Afr. (S. Afr. Dept. Agric.) (new ed.) 704 The so-called ‘saaidam’ system is practised.
1947 S. & E. Afr. Year Bk. & Guide 551 From Kotjeskolk to Sak River the branch line runs through the fertile Fish River valley along which large ‘Zaaidams’ have been made. Cultivation by zaaidams is carried out by diverting the flood water..into extensive areas enclosed by dams.
1953 Cape Argus 2 June (Mag.) 1/6 ‘Koos Nel’ constructed the first large ‘Saaidam’ in the North-West.
1955 J. H. Wellington S. Afr. I. 385 Saaidam irrigation is practised along the Sak river... The sowing ‘dam’ is a basin bordered by low earthen walls into which the flood waters are diverted.
1972 Standard Encycl. Southern Afr. V. 445/1 There is considerable irrigation, including the unique system whereby flood-water is diverted into shallow basins, known as ‘saaidamme’.
1975 Standard Encycl. Southern Afr. XI. 422/2 In the North-Western Cape wheat is grown on saaidams.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1982; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1925