CHAPTER II 
THE NOMADIC LIFE 
Varieties of camels—Somali camel willing and geutle—Method of loading 
camels—On the march—Weight of loads—Marching hours—Scourges, 
gadflies, ticks, and leeches—Firing camels—Sore back—Camel food— 
Grazing customs—Breeding habits of Somali camels—The milk-supply of 
she-camels—Description of Somali ponies—Fodder—Ticks—Donkeys— 
Their usefulness in Somaliland—Cattle—Cow’s milk—Ghee— Hides 
exported to America—Sheep and goats—Powers of subsisting without 
water —Camel-meat and mutton the favourite meal of Somélis—The 
annual movements of trading caravans governed by seasons—Duration of 
seasons — Great heat— Movements of the nomad tribes — Caravan 
marauders—Tribal fights—Gangs of highway robbers—Methods of the 
raiders—English scheme of protection popular—Trade greatly injured 
through insecurity of routes—A peculiarity of the Somali guide— 
Mysterious strangers — Remarkable faculties of adaptability in the 
Somali—Baneful effect of civilisation. 
THERE appear to be two distinct varieties of camel in Soméli- 
land,—the Gel Ad, or white variety, sold mostly on the Berbera 
side ; and the Ayyun or dark Dankali one, which is common on 
the Zeila side. The Esa themselves admit the superiority of 
the Berbera camel, and offer a higher price for it. There are 
certain camels fattened for the butcher, which never carry loads. 
They can be recognised by their hairiness and the great develop- 
ment of the hump, but they are not, I believe, a distinct variety. 
Somalis know their animals individually by name. A fine large 
camel may often be christened “Mardédi” (elephant) ; another, 
noted for its pace, is sometimes flatteringly called ‘“ Faras” 
(horse). 
The Somali camels, as contrasted with those of India, are 
willing and gentle ; and although whilst being laden they will 
generally complain, and make feints at biting, yet I have 
seldom known them injure any one. In moving about the 
