PEOPLE 



The Somalis are a clan by themselves. A few of 

 them condescend to domestic service, but the most 

 prefer the free life of traders, horse dealers, gun- 

 bearers, camel drivers, labour go-betweens, and 

 similar guerrilla occupations. They are handsome, 

 dashing, proud, treacherous, courageous, likeable, 

 untrustworthy. They career around on their high, 

 short-stirruped saddles; they saunter indolently in 

 small groups; they hang about the hotel hoping 

 for a dicker of some kind. There is nothing of the 

 savage about them, but much of the true barbarian, 

 with the barbarian's pride, treachery, and love of 

 colour. 



