TRIBAL DIVISIONS. 15 
keep constantly by them. The Somalis have many songs, 
most of which are based on love themes, and many of 
them have great ability in extemporizing as they sing, 
keeping always to the same melodious chant, about a bar 
or two in length, which they constantly repeat. In some 
of their songs there is a leader, who is followed by a 
chorus. 
They keep themselves usually well clothed in long gar- 
ments of white American sheeting; but at the wells you 
will see both sexes bathing together, with little regard for 
decency. 
In no sense of the word are they hardy, being very 
susceptible to fevers and rheumatism; but they are won- 
derfully good in marching: they seem to think nothing 
of marching thirty-five to forty miles to the day. Though 
they are able to go without drink or food for long periods, 
they are a most voracious people when food is put before 
them; three men will easily eat up an entire sheep during 
a night. 
I will not go into a lengthy description of the Somalis, 
as there has been so much written on this subject already. 
They claim their descent from Ali Bindale, cousin of the 
Prophet. The three great divisions of the Somalis are the 
Habr-Awal, Habr-Girhagis, and Habr-Toljala, which are 
descended from Husein, eldest son of Ali Bindale; and 
after them come the Dolbahanta, and many other tribes, 
who are descended from Hassan, the second son of the 
same man. Three tribes exist among the Somalis called 
the Midgans, Tomals, and Yebirs, who are regarded as 
low-caste people. 
The Midgans use bows and poisoned arrows, hunt 
and act as butchers for their rulers, and are employed by 
different chiefs to aid them in fights against their neigh- 
bors. They are very cunning and treacherous, and are 
