HERTI SOMALI 



Somali who had been detained there by illness (which 

 proved on investigation to be malaria), but who 

 intended to move on southwards as soon as possible, 

 since water was giving out. The headman proved 

 very friendly but unintelligent and not very accom- 

 modating. He agreed to sell me a little ghee in 

 exchange for some cloth, but could not be induced 

 to part with a calf at any price. 



We were much bothered by flies here ; the heat 

 was indescribable and the humidity of the atmosphere 

 excessive, so that it was with pleasure that I broke 

 camp the following day, still going southwards. The 

 two guides went first (for I had to engage another 

 from this village), then I followed on my mule, with 

 my syce, two gun-bearers, two orderlies, two camera 

 and instrument bearers, interpreter and skinner ; after 

 us came the long line of camels, their loads swaying as 

 they walked, their wooden bells sounding cheerfully 

 and blending with the songs of the syces who walked 

 alongside, the rear being brought up by two more 

 askaris, the headman and the head syce. The whole 

 village — men, women and children — turned out to 

 watch us pass, and they seemed greatly amused at 

 the sight. My clothes, and especially my double terai 

 hat, with its crimson puggaree, caused them more 

 merriment than anything else. 



The Somali at this boma were a poor lot of men 

 physically, although rich in cattle. They lived chiefly 

 on milk, and were pot-bellied and weak. They spent 

 most of their day asleep on their prayer-mats under a 

 tree, sipping coffee, if they were lucky enough to have 

 any, and chatting with their cronies in the intervals of 

 wakefulness. The climate may partly account for this 

 absence of energy, as it is terribly relaxing and 



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