saaidam, noun

/ˈsaɪdam/
Forms:
Formerly also zaaidam.
Plurals:
saaidamme/ˈsaɪdamə/, saaidams.
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, saai sow + dam see dam.
A basin of agricultural land enclosed by a low earth embankment which retains flood water for irrigation; occasionally, an embankment built for this purpose. Also attributive.
c1911 S. Playne Cape Col. 678The valley below the dam in the old days was utilised for cereal crops, the water being applied on the zaai-dam principle when the floods were out, and after a thorough soaking the crops were sown...The other dam..consists of an enormous depression through which the waters flow, advantage having been taken of the natural level to turn it into a huge zaaidam.
1925 R. Deakin Southward Ho! 79The raising of crops with the help of saaidams..would transform the scene.
1933 Stamp & Jamieson World 227In the Union there are four main ways of irrigating land...(4) By the system of ‘warping’ or ‘Zaaidams’. Flood water, rich in alluvium, is allowed to spread over the land, and the deposit of silt is then ploughed in.
1937 Marais & Sim in Handbk for Farmers (Dept of Agric. & Forestry) 704The so-called ‘saaidam’ system is practised. Flood water is guided over level terraces surrounded by low walls, in which the water is allowed to stand and soak into the soil. When the soil has been sufficiently soaked the remaining water is guided on to a lower terrace. As soon as the soil is workable it is ploughed over and sown. The crop then often grows to maturity without further irrigation.
1955 L.G. Green Karoo 224The saaidam is simply a low embankment thrown across a flat valley or plain to delay the flow of water and ensure sufficient moisure in the soil for the germination of a crop.
1961 M.M. Cole S. Afr. 129The alluvial lands are divided by earth walls into basins or ‘saaidams’, which are irrigated in turn by the passing flood waters.
1972 L.G. Green When Journey’s Over 58Alluvial flats lend themselves to saaidam farming, an unpredictable yet tempting enterprise.
1972 D.F. Kokot in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. V. 445There is considerable irrigation, including the unique system whereby flood-water is diverted into shallow basins, known as ‘saaidamme’.
1975 Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. XI. 422In the North-Western Cape wheat is grown on saaidams.
A basin of agricultural land enclosed by a low earth embankment which retains flood water for irrigation; occasionally, an embankment built for this purpose. Also attributive.
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Afrikaans
SAAF, nounn.Saan, nounn.2
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