Asabagya Oasis
Video & photographs. 2020
The Forgotten Legend of Asabagya Oasis
Once upon a time, nestled in the heart of the bustling city of Hofuf, there existed a serene neighborhood known as Al-Raqyat. Within this neighborhood lay a hidden gem - the mystical oasis of Asabagya Oasis, a source of life-giving water for its inhabitants.
Legend has it that within the tranquil waters of Ayn Asabagya, an extraordinary event unfolded. The beloved five-year-old daughter of a revered Sheikh accidentally tumbled into the oasis's deep waters and vanished without a trace, plunging the entire community into sorrow and despair.
In a desperate plea to the divine, the grief-stricken Sheikh devoted three days to fervent worship and sacrificial offerings. Miraculously, on the dawn of the fourth day, the lost daughter reappeared, unharmed and full of fantastical tales about her time in the underworld alongside mystical jinn beings of extraordinary powers and kindness.
From that moment on, the oasis of Asabagya became shrouded in mystique and reverence. The people of Al-Raqyat, in awe of the miraculous return, started a tradition of offering eggs to the oasis as a token of gratitude and protection against malevolent forces.
However, as time marched forward and the relentless hands of urban development reshaped the landscape, the old neighborhood of Al-Raqyat faded into obscurity. Most of its ancient houses now lay buried beneath the weight of progress, their former inhabitants scattered to new beginnings.
Amidst the ruins and remnants of a bygone era, one solitary structure stands tall - an electricity column that serves as a silent sentinel, guarding the legacy of Asabagya. This column, now a living relic of the past, continues to receive offerings of raw eggs, a simple yet poignant gesture to ward off evil eyes and preserve the memory of the enchanting oasis and its miraculous tale.
In a tribute to this fading legend, Hussain Alismail immortalizes the story of Asabagya oasis through a captivating moving picture format, seamlessly weaving heritage and place into a visual masterpiece that resonates with the echoes of a time long forgotten.
