In Saudi Arabia, 20th century, a unit of mass, 9.344 kilograms (approximately 20.6 pounds).


In Sudan A map showing the location of Sudan., 20th century, a unit of capacity, = 8.25 liters.

The FAO's publication Technical Conversion Factors… does not give an equivalent in liters for the ruba. However, it does say an ardeb of sorghum weighed 146.00 kilograms, and a ruba of sorghum 6.10 kg, which suggests the ruba is 1/24 of an ardeb.1 Since the standard ardeb is given as 195.00 liters, the ruba would be 8¼ liters. Sorghum (Dura) is the only commodity shown as being measured in ruba.

In the Sudan, ? – 19th century, a ruba of dates was about 10 pounds.2 Thirty rubas was a camel load.

1. Technical Conversion Factors…, 1972, pages 305 and 307.

2. H[arald] F[rançois] S[aphir] Amery.
English-Arabic Vocabulary for the Use of Officials of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, compiled in the Intelligence Department of the Egyptian Army.
Cairo: Al-Mokattam Printing Office, 1905.

Page 430.



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