Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.9042

c10.9042

c. 1030.—“The special name of *Dīva* is given to islands which are formed in the sea, and which appear above water in the form of accumulations of sand; these sands continually augment, spread, and unite, till they present a firm aspect . . . these islands are divided into two classes, according to the nature of their staple product. Those of one class are called *Dīva-Kūzah* (or the Cowry Divahs), because of the cowries which are gathered from coco-branches planted in the sea. The others are called *Dīva-Kanbar*, from the word *kanbar* (see COIR), which is the name of the twine made from coco-fibres, with which vessels are stitched.”—*Al-Bīrūnī*, in *Reinaud*, Fragmens, 124.