THE TANA 



country and the nature of the river lend themselves 

 admirably to irrigation, so that there appears to be a 

 very prosperous future in store for this part of the 

 country. 



It is interesting to note that on a map, published 

 in the year 1806, the Tana was confused with the 

 Juba River. It was known presumably that a large 

 stream rose in Abyssinia and flowed southwards. 

 Travellers had also certainly reported that an 

 important river flowed into the Indian Ocean south 

 of Lamu. The draughtsman at home, responsible 

 for the map, was evidently struck by these two facts, 

 and immediately drew in a new river which rose in 

 Abyssinia, flowed across the country which is now 

 called Jubaland and poured its water into the sea 

 near Lamu. 



On the hill immediately opposite to Gobwein 

 stands the little town of Giumbo. This is the 

 administrative capital of Italian Somaliland, which 

 stretches from the Gulf of Aden to the mouth of 

 the Juba River between the Indian Ocean and the 

 East African boundary line. To be accurate, it is 

 the southern part only of this large territory that 

 forms the true Italian colony, for the northern parts 

 consist of native states under Italian protection. 



The little town of Giumbo is beautifully kept and 

 very clean. There are a number of white officials and 

 ofificers, and their houses are built on European lines. 

 In addition to a very nice club, where every one 

 meets daily for lunch and dinner, there is a wireless 

 station, by means of which the inhabitants are kept 

 in touch with the outside world. I was received with 

 the utmost cordiality by the " Residente," who 

 willingly gave me permission to send my headman 



47 



