Chapter XXVIII: Appendix: III

NOTES ON SOMÁLI TRADE

The manufactured goods which the African wants, and the raw material which he can export, are much the same all over the countries of tropical Africa. But Somáliland has one great advantage as a trading country over many other African regions. Trade caravans depend for their transport upon camels, not upon human beings; and these camels, although comparatively weak, are vastly superior to those of many other camel countries, in that they cost only about £2 each and pick up all their food by the wayside. A comparison of the cost of camel transport in Somáliland with the human transport on the Zanzibar coast will show the former to great advantage.

The calculation which follows is based on my own experience of both countries. It is some years since I was at Mombasa, so I am open to correction if the prices there have been recently reduced.

The Zanzibar coast porter carries a 60 lb. load of merchandise and a few days’ rations, and costs about £1 per month in pay and food. Thus six porters would carry 360 lbs. of merchandise for a three months’ journey at a cost of £18.

Two camels would be bought at Berbera for £4, and after a long journey, and allowing for a percentage of loss by death, they would fetch, if sold by the Somáli owners, about £3. With the two camels would be one attendant, and his pay and rations for three months would involve an outlay of about £3:15s. The camels, if lightly laden, would carry 275 lbs. each; and the merchandise they would carry, if the liberal allowance of 63 lbs. be deducted for the weight per month of the attendant’s rations, would be 360 lbs., or the same as that carried by the six porters.

The cost of the two camels and their attendant for the three months would, however, amount to only £4:15s. as against the £18 for the porters.

During one of my last journeys we carried rations of rice, dates, and ghee at 1¾ lb. per man for a period of four and a half months. This could never be done by a caravan of Swahili porters, who can only carry a few days’ rations in addition to the load. Serious hardships from want of food are practically impossible when travelling with camels. In comparing porters and camels it must be borne in mind that the Somáli caravans go from Berbera to Imé, four hundred miles, in sixteen days, which is faster travelling than could be accomplished by Swahili porters for the same length of road.

Of all the Somáli coast ports by far the most promising is Berbera. Without counting the great capacity of Somáliland itself as a consumer of our fabrics, which I shall touch upon later, Berbera has many advantages which will, I feel sure, cause it to become very valuable as _entrepôt_ and distributer to countries and tribes outside the existing sphere of British influence. If the resources of Central Africa are destined ever to be fully developed, I believe Berbera will be one of the chief outlets for Central African exports.

The position of Berbera is unique. The meat supplies for Aden come almost entirely from there, and freight is always obtainable. Already two, and sometimes three, coasting steamers call weekly at Berbera, to say nothing of the freights carried by dhows. Berbera is close to one of the greatest lines of shipping in the world, and when trade develops into direct communication, the proximity of Europe and India cannot fail to attract capital. Another advantage which Berbera has over the ports of the East African coast is that the long sea-voyage, with its dangerous Cape Guardafui and its uncertain currents, is avoided; and although the land distance to Uganda and the Equatorial Province is greater than from Mombasa, Somáliland has, in Aden, a base secure from all attack, and is a week closer than Mombasa to England and India. I have already shown the advantage of camel transport in the Hinterland of the Somáli coast. The route to Central Africa, at any rate as far as Imé, four hundred miles inland, is an excellent one, presenting no difficulties to caravans, either owing to physical causes or the temper of the natives; and, moreover, the whole of the country through which it passes is exceptionally healthy.

The Gállas beyond Imé are camel-owners like the Somális, and live much in the same way. The route is so good, for the first four hundred miles at least from the coast, that at any time, should the trade of Central Africa ever in the far distant future be sufficient to justify it, the construction of a railway following it would be perfectly easy.

The following statistics I find published in a Calcutta paper, having been taken from Lieutenant-Colonel Stace’s Official Report on Somáli Coast Commerce, 1891-92: “The total value of the trade of Zeila last year was over a quarter of a million sterling, exports figuring for £151,721 of this sum. The exports consist almost exclusively of coffee from Harar (valued last year at over £100,000), skins, and hides; while their imports are piece goods (£12,508), rice (£31,827), American shirtings (£17,941), Indian shirtings (£10,057), and _jowári_ (£10,000). The total value of the trade of Berbera and Bulhár last year was £280,664, of which imports are responsible for £161,112. Berbera is supposed to contain about 30,000 people during the principal trading season, Bulhár perhaps 5000, and Zeila 6000.”

There are many minor imports which do not compare in importance with those named. Among the possible imports in the distant future may figure common brown blankets. They are most popular as presents, and might eventually, I should think, develop into an article of trade.

Other chief exports at present, besides those already named, are—

Gum,
Ostrich feathers,
Cattle and sheep (for the Aden market).

The hides, the trade in which seems to me to be capable of great development, go to America, whence most of the cotton goods are imported.

Considering the capacity of Somáliland as a consumer of our fabrics, our countrymen’s lack of enterprise in having allowed American goods to gain the ascendancy in this market seems astonishing. Among the future possible exports of value are the fibre of the _hig_ or pointed aloe, certain barks for tanning leather, and other natural products. Ivory at present mostly goes to ports west of Zeila, and does not figure largely in the exports from the British Protectorate. Now that the Eastern Soudan is closed, the gum of Somáliland should be important.

There are many kinds of resin and of gum, the best gum being that of the _adad_, a low-spreading thorn-tree, exuding from the branches of which can be seen transparent knobs of the gum of a golden hue, the size of a lemon, and pleasant to taste. It is much eaten by the natives and by gazelles. Gum-pickers take it to their squalid-looking encampments, and loading camels with the sacks, they take them to the coast for sale.

FOOTNOTES

[1] The Habr Awal, Habr Gerhajis, and Habr Toljaala.

[2] When a man commits murder or manslaughter the relatives of the deceased can claim blood money. The tribe to which the slayer belongs must either pay this, give up the murderer, or fight. Which of these three courses will be taken depends on the nature of the act, and whether the man is considered to be worth fighting for.

[3] The _Gerád_ (Arabic _Sultán_) is the paramount chief of a tribe.

[4] Most Somális who pray a great deal do it, I am convinced, for their reputation’s sake; and most of the religious observances are to “show off,”—a thing the Somáli loves to do.

An instance of this is the horror of dogs. I have seen a Somáli, when thinking himself unobserved, playing with a pariah dog; but if a Somáli servant, in a house at Aden, when waiting at table, should be brushed against by a perfectly clean English fox-terrier, he will as likely as not drop the dish which he is carrying, and say that he has been bitten. All this horror is acted for the benefit of the other servants.

[5] My usual plan on losing a camel is to offer a reward to the finder, deducting the amount from the pay of the loser.

[6] When a Somáli is speaking to a foreigner, he generally uses instead of _rer_, the Arabic _karia_ (village) to designate his kraal. He also uses the Arabic _ayyal_ instead of the tribal prefix _rer_. Thus he calls the Rer Yunis, who live at Bulhár, the Ayyal Yunis.

[7] I have merely guessed at this origin for the Somális. The traditions of the Gállas themselves should, if obtainable, throw light on this subject. Captain Abud says, “The aboriginal inhabitants of Somáliland cannot be clearly traced. The Somális say they were Gállas, but in the Somáli language every one not a Mussulman is called Gál, or infidel.”

[8] Quite recently (Christmas, 1894) another Somáli raid against the Gállas of the Tana has resulted in the total defeat of the Somális at Kulessa by a handful of white men and natives.

[9] I noticed that though the Gállas at Karanleh and on the Tana were a tolerably thin-featured race, those at Harar were quite different, being very much more coarse-featured than the Somáli type. Mr. W. B. Harris, in a very interesting account in _Blackwood’s Magazine_ (Sept. 1894) of his visit to Harar, has noticed this.

[10] The rhinoceros bird, called _Shimbir Loh_, or the “cow bird,” by Somális.

[11] If camels have to make a start before dawn, it is a great mistake to arrive at the evening camp after dark, and to throw off the loads and let the camels rest at night on an empty stomach. A continued course of such treatment will kill the best camels. When camels “flop” down on arriving in camp, or “swear” very much on being loaded, it is a sure sign they are being overworked. With good pasturage and proper working hours, I have often seen fifty camels loaded up almost in silence.

[12] _Biladiers_, _i.e._ country police (derived from the Arabic).

[13] _Sircal_, _i.e._ Government or Government official—a corruption from Hindustáni or Arabic.

[14] This was a mistake, as I could have bought all the camels for £8 the lot and sold them for £6 at the end of the trip, and on all later trips I have bought instead of hiring.

[15] Guban and Gudan are names quite distinct from one another.

[16] Some time afterwards, in Berbera, two natives came down and reported that they had seen the dead elephant near Hargeisa, and that a passing caravan had appropriated the tusks on its way to Harar. Through the proper channels I applied to the Emir of Harar for their recovery, and that is the last I ever heard of them.

[17] The first treaty between the British Government and the Somális was signed in 1827 after the plundering of an English ship by the Habr Awal. In 1840 another was signed with the chiefs of Zeila and Tajurra. In 1865 Sir Richard Burton’s expedition was attacked at Berbera, and the blockade which followed was raised on the signing of another treaty. In 1866 treaties were made with the Habr Gerhajis, Habr Toljaala, and Midjerten; and since 1884, when the Egyptians handed over the coast to Great Britain, treaties have been made with all the northern tribes. By an agreement signed in 1888, the boundary separating the British and French Protectorates begins near Loyi-ada, on the coast between Jibúti and Zeila, and runs by Abbaswein, Biyo-Kabóba, Gildessa, towards Harar.

On 5th May 1894 a protocol was signed, fixing the boundaries of the Italian and British spheres of influence. The boundary-line starts from Gildessa, and, following the eighth parallel of north latitude, skirts the north-eastern border of the territories inhabited by the Géri, Bertiri, and Rer Ali tribes, leaving Gildessa, Jig-Jiga, and Milmil within the Italian sphere of influence. The line then follows latitude 8° north as far as its intersection with the forty-eighth meridian of east longitude, and thence to the intersection of latitude 9° north, with longitude 49° east, along which it proceeds, terminating at the coast.

[18] These baggage camels from Aden were not a success, and I have never since tried to import into Somáliland any Arab camels but the fast ones which are ridden.

[19] We afterwards heard, in Berbera, that while we were at Gosaweina two or three Mahamud Gerád saw our camp from a distance, and rode away to warn the tribes, with the result that fifty horsemen came to reconnoitre, but found we had already marched back to Badwein.

[20] Sometimes we were several hours passing a cloud of millions upon millions of these insects, which were going the other way; at other times they were found settled upon the ground, covering great areas, or they were crawling and hopping over the grass and sand. The newly-born ones stream along the ground like a brown rivulet; then there are half-grown ones, which can only hop, and look from a distance like strips of green grass. The full-grown locusts are of three colours-yellow, green, and spotted red. The different generations do not appear to mix.

[21] Literally “Lion Hand Mountain.”

[22] Nala, _i.e._ the dry river-bed of India, called in Arabia _wádi_, in Somáliland, _tug_.

[23] Although at the present time I am not much inconvenienced by the wounds, my right arm and shoulder are very deeply scarred.

[24] Euphorbia.

[25] The Esa sub-tribes are grouped into two great divisions—the Esa Ad or White Esa, and the Esa Madóba or Black Esa.

[26] The Jibril Abokr were deeply grateful, and on our second visit to them they took the trouble to come from all sides to express their gratitude to us for having forwarded their complaints.

[27] We saw also several graves of women. In this country they do not give women the heaps of stones surrounded by enclosures which mark the graves of men. They merely bury the women in the earth, heaping thorns on top to prevent prowling hyænas from rooting up the grave; and in the middle of the thorns they set up an upright stake with the top of a broken _hán_ hung over it; this serves as a scarecrow to keep off wild animals.

Our men, whenever we passed a grave, piously said a prayer and plucked a tuft of grass to throw over it.

[28] A large rounded tree producing quantities of edible red berries. They look like cherries, and have a stone inside, but taste like half-dried apples.

[29] Also called Gol Wiyileh.

[30] Some skill of hand and eye is required in this work. The man above with the empty bucket throws it down to the man below at the same moment that the latter tosses up the full one. On reaching the surface each full bucket is emptied out into the rough cattle trough at which the cattle are drinking, improvised out of a hide propped up with sticks and stones, or in a hollow shaped with clay. Half the water is lost on the way up, so it usually takes many hours to water the enormous herds.

[31] “Wise man” or chief.

[32] We afterwards ascertained that at this time Banagúsé, the Abyssinian chief, was shooting elephants in Harrawa under the guidance of a son of Nur, the deposed Ugaz of the Gadabursi tribe. When we passed through the Harrawa Valley a few days later we were taken no notice of by Banagúsé or the Ugaz, who was living quite near our route. The latter had professed himself an enemy to the British, and had been intriguing with the Abyssinians, encouraging them to advance their influence into the Gadabursi country, in the hope that by their help he would be reinstated at the head of the tribe, ousting his brother Elmy, the present Ugaz.

[33] Undertaken after the Esa raid on Bulhár.

[34] The Somális themselves denied that the sickness was caused by bad water, declaring that the real cause was the bites of mosquitoes. These pests (called _Kan-ad_) are not generally present in Eastern Somáliland, but are common at certain spots on the coast between Berbera and Zeila, and on the Zeila-Harar routes, and in the Gadabursi country. They are also found near the Webbe, and when there the tribes from Berbera, who are not accustomed to mosquitoes, have a great dread of their bites, believing malarial fever to be caused by them.

[35] Adapted by Somális from the Hindustáni.

[36] The following titles were explained to me by an Abyssinian, and, though I cannot vouch for their accuracy of spelling, I jot them down:—

_Negúsa negest_, the Emperor; literally the “king of kings.”
_Negús_, King.
_Rás-Bitódet and Rás_, high titles ranking next to _Negús_.
_Dejasmatch_, General of Division.
_Kanyasmatch_, General of the Right.
_Gerasmatch_, General of the Left.
_Fi Taurari_, General of the Advance.
_Balanbaras_, Commandant of a fortress.
_Turk Basha_, General of Artillery.
_Yeshi Alaka_, Chief of a thousand.

The combined camp of a large Abyssinian army is so arranged that the Emperor and various kings occupy the central camp. In front is that of several _Rás_, _Dejasmatch_, and _Taurari_; to the right several _Rás_, _Dejasmatch_, and _Kanyasmatch_; to the left several _Rás_, _Dejasmatch_, and _Gerasmatch_.

Some idea of Rás Makunan’s importance as Governor of Harar may be gained from the fact that he has under him four _Dejasmatch_, eight _Balanbaras_, four _Kanyasmatch_, nine _Gerasmatch_, and five _Fi Taurari_.

Any of the kings has apparently a chance of becoming Emperor. The present Emperor, Menelek, is also King of Shoa.

[37] The _Gu_ or spring rains; due about the middle of April.

[38] Also called Dih Wiyileh.

[39] Amhára, _i.e._ Abyssinians.

[40] It now transpires that the Italian traveller Sacconi had visited this neighbourhood, and that it was here he was killed in 1883.

[41] The Rer Amáden have inflicted loss on the Abyssinians from time to time. I saw the remains of the bivouac of an Abyssinian army which was said to have been defeated by them two or three years before my visit. The Malingúr, living in the Fáfan Valley, which is the Abyssinian eastward path of invasion, have had to give in, but not so the Amáden.

[42] By the Protocol of ’94 the Amáden tribe falls within the Italian sphere of influence.

[43] The mullahs get on with Europeans because, being the only people in Somáliland who can read and write, they have great respect for people who show nimbleness with a pencil and note-book, and who can write even on horseback; they admire pictures and photographs.

I was amused by their insisting that nearly every book I had was a “Frinji Bible”; and not till I had shown them the illustrations in one of the supposed Bibles, which was Gordon-Cumming’s _Five Years’ Adventures in South Africa_, did they realise that there are books on every subject. They all beg for _hashi_ (paper), Korans, and _tusbas_, and I gave a score of mullahs two or three quires of white foolscap to divide between them.

[44] _I.e._ “the black rock,” called after a feature in the river-bed near the wells.

[45] She had actually come back half a mile on her tracks to follow us, with what motive I know not, unless it was to see us safe off the ground. A lion will often, on seeing men in the jungle, follow them in order to mark them down and find out the site of their karia, with a view to future seizures of cattle or human beings.

[46] Between the Tug Fáfan and Milmil we were very much annoyed by two kinds of gadfly, the camels, whenever they were halted, throwing themselves down and rolling, with the result that a great deal of kit was broken. There are two kinds—the _balaad_, a small, grayish black fly the size of a common house-fly, with triangular wings, very dangerous to camels, often causing eventual death; and the _dúg_, as large as a bumblebee, which stings both men and animals, and is present in great numbers, only ceasing its persecutions by night. It is not so dangerous to camels as _balaad_. I learned, on sending specimens to be examined at the British Museum, that neither of these flies have anything whatever to do with the “Tsetse” of South Africa, which belongs to an entirely different family.

[47] These people are a great encumbrance in the movable karias of the nomads, and if they stay there, unless they have relations who will befriend them, they soon die, or are eaten up by the packs of hyænas which haunt the outskirts of the encampments at night. In the hope of gaining a permanent sanctuary they travel painfully great distances to the nearest mullah villages; hence the large number of cripples and sick that are to be found in these settlements.

[48] I call this tree the casuarina, because of its resemblance to a tree so called which is common in India. Having lost my botanical collection in the Webbe I cannot accurately identify it.

[49] The various kinds of game, although unable to get at the water lying at the bottom of the deep wells, visit them at night on the chance of finding water standing at the surface, left in the excavated clay troughs after flocks have been watered.

[50] The people here played a characteristic pleasantry upon me. I found it difficult to buy a sheep, and had quite given up all hope of getting mutton for my men, when one was at last driven up to my tent; the owner of the sheep said he had heard I wanted one, and that having been some distance off he could not come till now. I bought the sheep for two pieces of cloth. Half an hour later its throat began to swell up, and my men showed the marks where it had been bitten by an _abéso_, a very poisonous snake, whilst grazing. Half an hour later it was dead, its neck having swollen to a tremendous size. By this time, of course, the owner of the sheep had vanished!

[51] The bush being chiefly of low, flat-topped mimósas, spreading into foliage about four feet from the ground, a man walking erect has little chance of seeing the game first, unless he stops and bends down to look along the ground at every few paces.

[52] Many Arabic words are incorporated into the Somáli language, and many more are used by Somális only when talking to strangers.

[53] Of these Somáli antelopes, no less than five have been described as new species since 1891, namely, hartebeest, Clarke’s antelope, the red hill antelope called _Baira_, and three dwarf antelopes of the genus _Madoqua_.

[54] _Rusa aristotelis._

[55] Not long after my second visit to the Webbe, Major Wood pushed into the country across the river, and was successful in bringing to England the trophies of these giraffes.

[56] _I.e._ a “wise man,” elder, or petty chief.

[57] These stores should be sewn up in small bags, each to contain a fortnight’s supply.

[58] The stony nature of much of the country renders these necessary.

[59] There are two kinds of pad saddles used by Arab coolies in Aden, a large one for the baggage camel and a smaller and neater one for the fast camel. Neither have stirrups, as an Arab coolie presses his feet into the groove of the camel’s neck, a very comfortable way of riding.

[60] These rates are what would be given to men highly skilled at their duties; the great thing to avoid is spoiling the market for other travellers.

[61] A disadvantage of the Arab camel is that until it has been a few months in Somáliland it may not settle down to its new climatic conditions and change of food.

[62] It must be remembered that there are generally more sporting parties than lions near the coast, and the game is being driven farther and farther towards the distant interior every year; so it is necessary to go to unexplored tribes to get good sport.

INDEX

Abadigal, Banagúsé’s headman, 166

Abbárso camp, 101

Abbasgúl, 122, 136, 195;
raided by Habr Awal, 195

Abdul Ishák, 88

Abdul Káder, 131, 217, 220, 221, 229

Abonsa in the Harar Highlands, 138

Abósa, 143

Abud, Captain, 15, 19;
at Hargeisa, 259

Abyssinians, 230, 267, 279;
threaten to attack Hargeisa, 101;
leader, Banagúsé, 111;
scouting for, 126;
soldiers seize our men and camels, 147;
and the Esa tribe, 149;
threaten to attack author’s party, 167;
general, 167;
raids, 168, 169;
dealings with foreigners, 182;
ambition, power, influence, 183

_Adad_ thorn bushes, 208, 370

Adadleh, 291

Adan Yusuf, caravan leader, 156, 165, 202

Aden, 257, 291;
garrison, 78

Adone, 23, 223, 224, 227, 276

Ahmed Abdalla, Sultán, 138

Ain Valley, 93

Alaka Gobau Desta, 178

_Alakud_ or klipspringer, 318

Aleyadéra nala, 121

Ali Hirsi, author’s hunter, 79, 299

Ali Maan, 115, 158

Allegiri tribe, 94

Aloe plants, 13

Aloes and thorn jungle, ruins rise from, 95

Amáden, 228

Amhára or Abyssinians, 201, 204, 227

Amháric letter from Rás Makunan, 152

_Ammodorcas clarkei_, 310

Antelopes, 298

Ant-hills, 102, 306

_Aoul_ gazelle, description of, 314

Arab salutation “_Salaam aleikum_,” 9;
immigrations, 21;
pony taken from Bombay as experiment by author, 131

Arabian trotting camel, author’s, 165

Arasama, sub-tribe of Dolbahanta, 93, 96

Armadader aloe undergrowth, 111

_Armo_ creeper, 49, 247, 371;
food of elephants, 70

Aror, 126

Arregéd, a deep ravine in Bur Dab Range, 96

Arroweilo, 27

Arroweilo legend, 26, 27

Arrto; loss of Count Porro’s expedition, 152

Arussi Gállas, 223, 230, 263

Assa Range, 41

Au Ismail, 133

_Aukál_, or elders, 81

Aulihán Somális, 210, 267, 273, 307;
country, 326

Au Mahomed Sufi, the Somáli Sheikh, 128

Awálé Yasin injured, 158

Awáré, 283

Ayyal Yunis traders, 164

Ba (tribal collective prefix), 20;
Awal, 20;
Habr, 20;
Gailoh, 20;
Ambaro (or sons of Ambaro), 21;
Gadabursi elders, 79, 84

Baboons, 143, 249, 273, 327

Badgers, 329

Badwein (Big Tank) in the Dolbahanta country, 27;
march to, 95

Bahgoba camels stolen, 113

_Baira_ antelope described, 321

Bakáwa, ascent of, 97

Baker, Sir Samuel, 116

Banagúsé, Abyssinian general, 120, 142, 165;
his history, 169;
threatens to arrest author, 165;
is beaten in the game, 167

Ban-ki-Aror Plain, 122

Banyéro Mountain, 249, 251

Barkad Gerád, 95

Basha-Basha, Abyssinian general, 130, 177;
reported killed, 278

Baudi, Captain, 210, 224

Beads, 281, 347

Bér, 92;
return to, 97

Berbera, 2, 223, 257, 361;
start from, 45, 259;
Maritime Plain, 51;
taken over by British Government, 75

Bergéli, 93

Bertiri tribe, 20, 120, 136, 142, 167

_Billeil_, 194, 207, 289, 370

Birds on the Wagar Mountains, 98;
varieties of, 328

Biyo-Kabóba, Abyssinian fort, 114, 152

Blood-feud, 14

Blood-money, 13

Boh, our Esa guide, 151

Boho, 83

Bohol-Káwulu, 113

Bombay Infantry sepoys, 86

Bombós, 122

Bone-setting by the Somális, 159

Botanical collection lost, 277

Bottigo, Captain, 222

Bottor Valley, 111

British influence, effect of, 118

_Bubalis swaynei_, first shot, 100

Buffalo, 228, 273, 274, 326;
tracks of, 272

Buk Gégo, 116

Bulhár, 55, 78, 116, 299, 363;
under Mr. Morrison’s charge, 81;
burnt to the ground, 121;
march to, 156

Bur Dab Range, 90, 92, 295

Burka, 265, 307

Bur’o, 92

Burton, Sir Richard, his first expedition to Somáliland, 78

Burton’s book, _First Footsteps in East Africa_, 102, 181

Bushbuck, 262, 268, 273, 277;
description of, 308

Bustards, 328

Cabul tents, 185, 341

Cahaigne, Taurin, Monseigneur, 24, 181

Camelman scared, 93

Camels, 8, 13, 29, 30, 32, 33;
varieties of, 33;
buying and selling, 224, 346;
meat, 113;
killed by hyæna, 205;
load for, 336

Camera and outfit, 343, 345

Candeo, Signor, 210, 224

Caravans, 2, 38;
our caravan imprisoned, 144

Carrington’s, Colonel, expedition, 157

Caves at Jebel Hákim, 184

Cecchi, Signor, Italian Consul-General, 156, 181

Cedar forests explored, 98

Centipedes, 329

Clarke’s gazelle, 241, 310

Clarke, T. W. H., 91

Climate of Somáliland, 371

Clothes suitable for Somáliland, 345

_Cobus ellipsiprymnus_, 307

Cowasjee Dinshaw Brothers, 346

Crocodiles, 262, 263, 277, 326

Curteis, Colonel R., 139

Czetwertynski, Boris, Prince, 5, 29

Daar-Áss Mountain, 253, 254, 255

Daba Jérissa, 282

Dagaha Todobálla, or “the Rock of the Seven Robbers,” 243

Dagahbúr in Ogádén, 27, 137, 212

Daghatto Valley, 205, 206, 209, 230

Dágo stops our caravan, 144

_Dair_ (October, November, December), 37, 276

Dambaswerer in the Rer Amáden country, 217, 222, 229

Damel Plain, 55;
sight elephants, 63

Danakil tribe, 278

_Darémo_, 124

Dárud, 20

Daud Gerhajis, 21

Daura reports death of Awálé Yasín, 158;
and the rhinoceros, 199;
his tragic death, 238

Delamere, Lord, 259

Denleh, 210

Deria Hassan, my gunbearer, 74, 199

Deria Shiré, son of important elder of Shiré Shirmáki, 86

Dhows, 37

_Dibáltig_, open recognition of the authority of a sultan, etc., 15, 104;
in our honour, 129, 220, 240

_Dibatag_, or Clarke’s gazelle, description of, 309

Dibiri-Wein country, 158

Digan, 157

Digwein, 295, 296

Dik-Dik antelopes described, 319

Dímis, 89

Division of classes in Somáliland, 4

Dobóya, 122

Dofaré, march to, 139

_Dól_, or bushbuck, 262, 308

Dólababa, 236

Dolbahanta tribe, 20, 21;
country—reconnoitre trade routes, 90

Donkeys, 3, 35;
killed by lion, 285

Dubár, 90

Dubbi Harré, Arussi Gálla chief, 265, 276

Dubbur, 91, 138

Dubburro, 139

Ducks, 189

Dúd Libah, or the “Lion’s Forest,” 236

Durhi, 202, 204, 205, 210, 236

_Durr_, 124, 200, 214, 240;
grass, 284

E⸺ (Captain E. J. E. Swayne), 90

Eagles, 328

Egyptians evacuate Somáli coast, 78

Eidegalla tribe, 15, 21, 41, 241, 283

Eil Ánod, 85

Eil Bhai, 142

Eil Dab (rocky well), 94

Eil-ki-Gabro, 203

Eilo, a mountain in the Gadabursi country near Zeila, 10

Eil Sheikh, 82, 84, 85, 89, 157

Elephant, looking for tracks, 47;
feeding, 52;
method of hunting by natives, 116

Elephants (_Maródi_), 46, 55, 60, 111, 115, 205;
at Jalélo, 56;
shooting, Hembeweina river, 59;
height of one at shoulder shot at, 58, 76;
sight herd of sixty, 60;
death of the big cow, 64;
a wounded bull, 67;
feeding on _armo_ creeper, 73;
in the Daghatto Valley, 206;
description of, 209, 294

Élinta Kaddo, 140

Elmas Mountain, 80, 157

Emir Abdillahi, 119

Enleh, 211, 213

_Equus grévyi_, 204;
description of, 322;
_nubianus_, description of, 322

Esa insist they are British subjects, 149

Esa tribe, 10, 20, 24, 41, 115, 152;
country entered by author, 115

Esmán Abdi seized by leopard, 162

Ethnology, 1

Expeditions, fitting out, 331;
expenses, 346

Exports of Somáliland, 376

Fáf in Ogádén, 38

Fáfan river, 259

Farur Gerád Hirsi, 172

Felter, Signor, 178, 181, 185

Feyambiro, 177;
on the road to, 185

Fitting out expeditions, 331

Flowers at Tawáwur, 98

Fodwein Bluff, 90

Foxes, 233, 329

French sphere of influence, 77, 153

Frogs, 199

Gabba Oboho, the Adone chief, 224, 226, 258

Gabratagli, an Abyssinian agent of Menelek, 167, 169, 177

Gabriel Guigniony, 181

Gadabursi tribe, 20, 24, 34, 116;
country, 25, 295;
start for, 112;
author leaves the country, 115

Gadfly, 240, 329

Gadíd, a man born at noon, 21

Gagáb wells, 282

Gaha Pass, 42

Gálla graves, 26;
cairns, 94;
history, 181;
country, 210

Gállaland, project to explore, 155, 258, 276

Gállas, 8, 22, 23, 223, 228, 230, 259, 272, 276

Gán Libah, 99, 241, 243

Garabad, 205, 206, 210

Garasleh stream, 152

Garba-aleh pool, 202, 203

Garbadir, 253

Garodki Mayagód, 124

_Gáshán_, or shield, 10

“Gáshánbúr,” or “brothers of the shield,” 21

Gáwa Pass, 25

_Gazella sœmmeringi_, 314;
_spekei_, 316;
_pelzelni_, 317

Gebili, pass through, 111

Gédi or march, 21

Géli, author’s gunbearer, 132, 156, 189, 243, 283

Geographical names, 373

_Gerasmatch_, or General of the Left, 178

_Gerenúk_, see Waller’s Gazelle

Géri tribe, 20, 113, 136

Geríré Gállas, 156, 263

Gerlogubi, in distant Ogádén, 78, 138

German mission station, 22;
missionaries, 22

Gildessa, 75, 148;
exciting time at, 144

Gilimiss, 261

Giraffe, 228, 326

Goats, 36

_Gób_ trees eighty feet high, 127

Gobau Desta sent to Gildessa to meet author, 152;
reads Sir R. Burton’s book to Rás, 181

Gojar under Gureis Mountain, 168, 170

Golbánti on the Tana river, 22

Gólis Range, 3, 46, 55, 90, 241, 244, 365

Gol Wiyileh, or the “Valley of Rhinoceroses,” 200

Goose shot, 142

Gosaweina, 96

Government explorations, 77

_Graphic_ exhibited to natives, 201

Grasses, 124

Grave of a chief, 126

Graves, 21, 25;
description of, 93

Greater koodoo shooting at Mandeira, 242;
description of, 302

Grevy’s zebra, 204, 312

_Gu_ (May and June), 36, 230

Guban, 55, 244, 294, 307, 316;
or Lowland gazelle, 317

_Gudá_ timber, 55, 115, 243, 244, 255

Gudaweina, 125

Guigniony, M., a French merchant, 181

Guinea-fowl, 244, 282, 328

Gulanleh, 55, 56, 59, 72

Guldu Hamed, mullah village at Upper Sheikh, 25, 91

Gumbur Dúg Hill, 140, 164

Gumbur Wedel Hill, 133

Gum-pickers, 216

_Gurgi_, 2

Gypsum rock, 92

Habr (tribal collective prefix), 20

Habr Awal, 20, 24, 77, 87, 127;
Gerhajis, 20, 21, 41, 53, 79, 86, 88, 127;
Toljaala, 20, 77, 91;
march through the country, 97, 211

Haddáma, 134

Hadji Adan, our Esa guide, 151, 277

Hádo, a visit to, by author, 173, 186

_Haga_ (July, August, September), 37, 121;
wind, 121

Haines or Shabéleh river, 222

_Halal_, 218

Haljíd, 211;
march to, 199

Haraf, four miles from Hargeisa, 121, 139

Harar, 2, 22, 223, 295;
captured by Abyssinians, 119;
visited by author, 177

Harasáwa Valley, description of, 114

Hares, 329

Hargeisa in the Habr Awal country, 4, 7, 17, 55, 121, 139, 211;
description of town, 100

Harrawa Valley, 25

Harris, W. B., 23

Harrison, Captain, 139

Hartebeest, new variety first shot, 100;
vast herds of, 102, 122, 142, 163, 172;
description of, 305

Harka-weina, 247

_Hassádan_ trees, seventy feet high, 98, 370

Hassan, my gunbearer, 20, 156

Haud, 39, 284, 298, 367;
Plateau crossed, 122, 129, 291

Hegebo, near Berbera, 364

Helmók Valley, 175

Hemál, under the Bur Ad Range, 115;
journey from, to Ali Maan, 116

Hembeweina river at Jalélo, 56, 59, 69

Henweina Valley, 247, 252, 253

_Hérios_, or camel-mats, 346

Hippopotami, 228, 268, 326

Hug, in the mountainous Jibril Abokr country, 26

Huguf Pass, 97

Hulkabóba, shooting camp, 45

Hunting leopard or chitah, 281

Hussein-bin-Khalaf of Karanleh, 260

Hussein Debeli, my head tracker, sees elephant, 57

Hyænas, 193, 202, 203, 240, 261, 275, 281, 286;
stabbed by author, 195;
description of, 325

Ibrahim, author’s servant, speared through his hand, 181

Ibrahim Gúri has camels, sheep, etc., stolen by Abyssinians, 173

“Ideal” camera, 166

Imé on the Webbe, 137, 210, 211, 221, 223, 258;
author’s visit to, 222, 225

Imports of Somáliland, 376

_Ingrés_ (or English), 204

Insects, 98, 329

Ishák tribes, 20, 26

Ismail, 20

Issutugan river-bed, 55;
river, 56, 78, 294

Italian sphere of influence, 78

Instruments (scientific), 353

Jackals, 329

Jaléo, 56

Jáma, my hunter, sitting on the dead lioness, 106;
Deria, the minstrel of the Rer Amáden, 217, 261

James, F. L., his exploring party, 78, 222, 229, 295, 368

Jarso, 169, 184

Jebel Hakim visited, 182;
wonderful caves, 184

Jeráto Pass, 88, 241, 243

Jibril Abokr, sub-tribe of Habr Awal, 24, 41, 90, 98, 120, 243

Jibúti, French port, 149, 182

Jig-Jiga, 111, 120, 165, 170, 186, 187, 211

_Jilál_ (January to April), 36, 163, 191

_Jilib_, or family, 21

Jopp, General, Resident at Aden, 181

_Jowári_, 100, 226, 228, 260

Juba river, 228;
sources, 155, 228, 258

Júk, 163

Kabri Bahr, waterless march to, 157

_Kalíl_ season, 37, 163

Kanyasmatch Basha-Basha, 176

Karam, 97

Karanleh on the Webbe, 22, 228, 259, 269

_Karia_, or temporary village, 2

Karin Marda, 174

Kásin Ishák clan, 88

_Khansa_ bushes, or umbrella mimósa, 4, 124, 157, 208, 233, 287, 370

Kheidub-Ayéyu, 126

Khoda Bux, 80

Kirrit, 26;
well reached, 92

Kites, 328

Klipspringer, 54, 318

Kondurá, 174

Koodoo shooting, 47, 116, 204, 241, 246;
description of, 302

Koran, 17;
given to natives, 202;
price of, 354

_Kumá_ (Who are you?), 196

Kuredelli in the Jerer Valley, 188, 195, 196

Lámu, 23

Las Damel, 205

Lee-Metford rifle, 214, 282

Leopards, 95, 160, 209;
first one shot, 100;
stalking a goat in our camp, 101;
sport with, 160, 281;
one seizes Esmán Abdi, 162;
sitting up for one, 165;
seizes gazelle and is shot, 198;
jumps into camp, 202;
killed at Garba-aleh pool, 203;
description of, 323

Lesser koodoo, 54, 121, 204, 277;
in the Jerer Valley, 199;
description of, 303

Lions, 124, 205, 218, 279, 284;
killed by the Midgáns, 4;
tracks of, 54;
roaring of, awake us, 68;
stalking herds of antelope, 103;
wounds author, 105;
fine one killed by E⸺, 109;
haunts of, 123;
sleeping ten yards from author, 129;
tracking and shooting of one by author, 233;
seizes sleeping woman, 204;
exciting hunt, 234;
attack on a man, 278;
finest one shot, 288;
length of skin, 236, 288;
description of, 292

Lioness doing sentry, 284

_Lithocranius walleri_ described, 312

Lizards, 329

Locusts, 98

Lower Nogal, 307

Loyi-Ada, between Jibúti and Zeila, boundary of English and French
influence, 153

Maaruf, opposite Karanleh, 263

Mader Adan, 202

_Madoqua swaynei_ described, 319;
_phillipsi_ described, 319;
_guentheri_ described, 319

Mahamúd Gerád, sub-tribe of the Dolbahanta, 41, 42, 92

Mahomed Liba, a chief of Rer Ali tribe, 127

Malcolm Jones, Mr., 156

Malingúr, 156, 204, 205, 210, 259

Mandalay, 90

Mandeira, 54, 89, 242, 243, 295

Map for Government completed, 89

Marar Prairie, 25, 142, 158, 162, 211, 268, 369;
commencement of, 102

Marda Pass, 173

Marehán tribe, 20

Maritime Plain, 53

Maritime Range, 53, 91, 294, 364

Marriage laws, 12

Masai raids, 22

Massleh Wein, 253

Menelek, Emperor, 169

Methodist Mission at Golbánti, 22

Midgáns, 3, 4, 72, 140, 325;
method of hunting lion, 293;
method of hunting oryx, 299

Midjerten tribe, 20

Milmil, 121, 128, 283;
caravans, 41

Mirso, 45, 90, 252

“Moga Medir” rock, mentioned by Sir Richard Burton, 102

Monkeys, 263, 273, 328

Monsoon, or _Gu_, 37, 218

Morrison, D. (the late), 80, 81, 82

Mosquitoes, 204

Mules on the Zeila-Harar road, 34

Mullahs, 4

Músa Abokr, 92

Mussulmans, 9, 218, 324;
teaching, 16

Náno, 204, 211

Native councils, 14

Ngai (German mission station), 22

Nogál country, 94

Nomadic tribes, 2, 39

Núr Osman, my camelman, 47, 48, 53, 56

Núr Róbleh of Karanleh, 260, 264, 265

Obok, 278

Ogádén, 2, 4, 20, 182, 202, 276, 294, 298, 307, 316;
graves, 94

Ogo country, 3, 41, 54, 307, 316

Ogo-Gudan, 55

_Oreotragus megalotis_ described, 321;
_saltator_, 317

Oryx hunting on foot, 4, 163;
hide shield, 4;
shoot two fine bulls and two cows, 56;
tracks, 69;
herds of, 102, 122, 136, 163, 205, 216, 241;
in the Jerer Valley, 199;
at Náno, 204;
description of, 298, 325

Ostrich feather worn by Esa who has killed a man, 11

Ostriches, 56, 132, 133, 157, 199;
see seventeen, 110;
description of, 325

Outfit, 346

Paget, Col. Arthur, 91, 92, 261, 307;
threatened attack on, 170

Panjábis enlisted at Aden, 83

Panther, see Leopard

“Paradox” gun, 209, 287

Partridges, 328

Pelzeln’s gazelle, 317

Photographic outfit, 343

Physical geography of Somáliland, 361

Plants and trees, 369

Plateau gazelles, 56, 317

Ponies, description of, 34

Porro, Count, expedition of, 152

Purchase of tent, rifles, etc., 341

Rabbits, 329

Raiding tribes, 41

Raids, Somális and Gállas, 41

Rain, deluge of, 139, 218

Rainy season, 37

Rás Makunan, governor of Harar, 147, 231, 241;
his orders to treat British travellers with courtesy, 168;
visit to Shoa, 168;
visit to Rome, 178;
expresses great friendship for the British, 181;
author’s farewell visit to, 183

Rations for natives, 348

Ravens, 328

Remington rifles, 144

Rer (tribal collective prefix), 20

Rer Ali tribe, 12, 20, 188, 212;
wealth of, 283

Rer Amáden, 136, 156, 212, 216

Rer Harún, 128, 137, 211

Rer Dahir Farah, sub-tribe, 20

Rer Dollol and their camels, 102

Rer Gédi, 134

Rer Guléd (family), 21

Rer Haréd spies, 111;
robbers, 113

Rer Mattan (clan), 21

Rer Samanter karias, 139

Rer Shirmáki Adan, 21

Rer Yunis Jibril, 101

Rhinoceros, first one shot, 132;
shoot fine bull, 133;
horns as sword handles, drinking cups, etc., 148;
horns given as present to Rás Makunan, 148;
author’s adventure with, 190, 200;
drinking, 191;
plentiful in Jerer Valley, 198;
at Náno, 204;
description of, 297

Rhinoceros bird, 32

Rhinoceros Valley, or Dih Wiyileh, 200

Rifle kicks and injures author, 64;
·577 used to shoot lion, 109;
Lee-Metford, success of, 215;
Winchester “Express,” 214

Rifles, the battery to take, 343

Róbleh, 21

Rock rabbits, 329

Rowland Ward, Mr., 247;
examines new gazelle, 310

Ruins, 22;
at Badwein, 95

Ruspoli, Prince, 170, 223, 261, 265, 281

Saad Yunis, 92

Said Harti, 21

_Sakáro_ antelopes, 63, 87, 243;
description of, 319

Sala Asseleh, 143

Sala, Mr., an Italian traveller, 115

“_Salaam aleikum_” (Peace be with you), 87

Salimbeni, Count, 178

Samani, 219

Samanter, 20, 126;
my interpreter, 88

Samawé ruins, 25;
tomb, 25

Sarar-awr (camel-back plateau), 86

Sattáwa, halt at, to form camp, 114

Sclater, Dr., 305

Scorpions, 329

Segag, 210

Sen Morettu, 261, 263, 277

Seton Karr, 157

Seyyid Mahomed, 259

Seyyid Mahomed’s town, 4, 259

Shabéleh, 136, 258

Shafei Mussulman, 20

Sheep, 2, 36;
export of, 3

Sheikh, 90;
Pass, 45

Sheikh Mattar, the chief of Hargeisa, 7, 17, 101, 121, 156, 259

Shendil, 275

Shield, 10, 297

Shírdone Yunis, 80

Shiré Shirmáki, 69, 71

Shirmáki Adan and his fifty-two children, 21

Shoa, 168

_Shúm_, or petty officer, visits author, 164

_Sirkal_ (Government official), 43, 196

Sisai, at the back of Wagar, 97

Snakes, 329

Sobát, twelve miles from Jalélo, 59

Sœmmering’s gazelle, vast herds of, 102, 122, 133, 142, 157, 164, 172;
shoot two right and left, 164;
at Náno, 204;
shot with Lee-Metford, 214;
description, 315

So Madu, arrival of mail bag, 153

So Midgán, 85

Somáli tribes, 1, 21, 22;
the, his character, 7, 17;
salutation “_Nabad_,” 9;
religion, costume, weapons, superstitions, and nomenclature, 10;
women, wonderful powers of endurance, 12;
language, 17;
origin, 19;
nicknames, 21;
seasons, 36;
trade, 374

Spears, 10

Spear-throwing, 218

Spiders, 329

Sporting battery, 343

Squirrels, 262, 329

Stace, Lieut.-Col., 376

Storks, 328

_Strepsiceros imberbis_ (lesser koodoo), 243, 303

Subbul hills, 111, 162

Sultán Deria, 21

Swahili race, 23

Swayne, Captain E. J. E., assists me in the survey, 90

Swayne’s hartebeest first shot, 100;
description of, 305

Sword hunters, 116

Syk, in the high Ogo country, 88, 244

Taala Gálla, or Gálla cairns, 26, 91

Tana river, 23

Taurin Cahaigne, Monseigneur, of Harar, 24, 181

Tawáwur (nearly seven thousand feet), 97

Temperature, 37, 38, 372;
at Sisai, 97

Temple, supposed work of Gállas, 95

Tents, 341;
Cabul, 185, 341;
description of Basha-Basha’s, 175

Theodolite station, 90

Thirst, effect on domestic animals, 123

Ticks, 34

Tobe, 9, 287

Tomal, 3

Toyo Plain, 42, 297

Trade of Somáli, 375

Traders, 2

Trading caravans, 2

_Tragelaphus decula_, 308

Treaty between British Government and Somális, 77

Trees, 370

Trophies, preparation of, 359

Tug Dér, wells, 91

Túli, 132;
march to, 201

_Tusbas_, scented prayer-chaplets, 220

Tusks of Somáli elephant smaller than those of southern ones, 76

Ugaz Núr, 114

Ujawáji, 101, 120, 162

Umr Ugaz, 205, 261

Upper Sheikh, 91

Vultures, 113, 215, 275, 328

Vulturine guinea-fowls at the wells, 94

Wa-berri (from _berri_, morning), 21

_Wádi_ thorn-trees, 163

Wagar Mountain, 46, 97, 303

Waller’s gazelle, 56, 133, 201, 204, 237, 321;
seized by panther, 198;
shot with Lee-Metford, 214;
killed by leopard, 281;
description of, 312

Walsh, L. P., assistant Resident at Aden, 78, 148

Wandi, chief of police at Harar, 184

Wapokómo negroes of the Tana, 23

Warda-Gumaréd, one of the great trade arteries, 123

Waredad Plain, 96, 294

Waror, 133;
description of wells, 135

Warsama Dugál, a chief of the Ba-Gadabursi, 85

Warsingali tribe, 20

Wart-hog, 126, 243, 254, 278;
kill fine one near camp, 64, 278;
description of, 324

Water, method of getting, 92, 135;
supply statistics, 122;
wells, 241

Water-bottles made by natives, 10

Waterbuck, 228, 261, 268, 275, 276;
swims across stream, 269;
description of, 307

Webbe Shabéleh river, 23, 38, 210, 307;
first journey to, 186, 213, 223, 226, 228;
second journey to, 258;
crossing the river, 264

Wild asses, 56;
description of, 323

Wild boar, see Wart-hog

Wild dog, 326

Wolverton, Lord, 261

Women appeal for help against the Abyssinians, 127

Wood, Major C. E. W., 326

Yahia, a Somáli, 265, 276

Yebir, 3

Yemen, 182

Yirrowa, 90

Yoáleh, 127

Yoghol hill, 25

Yunis, author’s guide, 216

Zebra, trying to catch young one, 216

Zebras, 204, 205, 214, 237;
description of, 322

Zeila, 24, 151, 153, 362;
under British Consul, 78;
exploration into the hills, 89;
march to, 115

Zeríba, 2, 20, 126, 200, 236;
arrangement of, 357

Zoological Society _Proceedings_ shown to natives, 229

THE END

_Printed by R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, Edinburgh._

_To illustrate Captain H. G. C. Swayne’s Seventeen Trips through Somáli Land._

_Published by Rowland Ward & Co., Limited “The Jungle” 166 Piccadilly, London._]

_SKETCH OF THE HORN OF AFRICA showing all journeys by the Author & his brother_

_To illustrate Captain H. G. C. Swayne’s Seventeen Trips through Somáli Land._

_PUBLISHED BY ROWLAND WARD & CO., Limited “The Jungle” 166 Piccadilly, London._]