BAY OF AMPHILA. 177 
lying off the coast. The remaining tribes are termed Adalhu, 
Aisamalhu, Kedimto, Weema, Mushiek, and the Assamominto ; 
the last of which is ruled by a brother of Alii Goveta, dwelling 
in the neighbourhood of Arena. To the north-west of these, lies 
another tribe, completely independent, called Russamo, which is 
generally at variance with all its neighbours. 
All the tribes above-mentioned speak the same language, and 
may be considered as Danakil:* their united forces are said to 
amount to full six thousand men. 
These tribes profess the religion of Mahomed, of which, how- 
ever, they know little more than the name; they have neither 
priests nor mosques in their country. In their manners they are rude 
and uncultivated, leading a wandering life among the hills, and 
shifting about as occasion requires from station to station in search; 
of pasture for their cattle. Each tribe is perfectly independent ; 
though all are ready at a short warning to unite for a common 
cause ; and being daring, resolute, and active, their numbers 
would render them a formidable enemy were it not for their want 
of arms, their poverty not allowing more than one in ten to 
possess a spear, a knife, or any other weapon of otfence. 
The women on the coast possess very pleasing and agreea- 
ble features, and whenever we entered their huts were very 
civil in offering us a seat, and in affording us a draught of 
water, which was the only refreshment their poverty could supply. 
Of every other article of sustenance an extreme scarcity prevails 
throughout the country. Indeed, no people in the world is 
more straitened with respect to the necessaries of life ; a little 
* Pankali is singular, Danakil plural. 
