I 
SOMALI ETHNOLOGY 
11 
inside, and is corked with a wooden plug. The prayer-carpet 
generally comes from Qgfiden, and is a small piece of very 
thick tanned leather. On this the Somali makes his regular 
prostrations at dawn and sunset, and during the day, as becomes 
a devout Mussulman ; when not put to this use, it is hung over 
the shoulder to afford protection from the chafing of the spears. 
The sandals, which are very heavy, are of several thicknesses of 
white leather sewn together, rising in a knob in front. They 
make a great noise, so when stalking game the wearer carries 
them and goes barefoot. The club or kerrie is a foot and a half 
long, made of the hard wogga wood, and is thrown with dexterity. 
Somalis generally have good Arab features, with particularly 
smooth skins, varying from the colour of an Arab to black. 
Among certain tribes those who have killed a man wear an 
ostrich-feather in the hair. Originally it was only worn for 
enemies killed in a fight, but now this is not necessary. Little 
boys carry miniature spears and shields as soon as they can 
learn to use them, and many an Esa youth of sixteen can show 
an ostrich-feather earned in the orthodox manner. 
The hair is worn in various ways according to sex and age. 
Old men shave the head, and sometimes grow a slight beard. 
Men in the prime of life wear their hair about an inch and a 
half long, and periodically smear it with a gray mixture, 
apparently composed of ashes and clay, leaving it for a day or 
two to dry. It is then dusted out and the hair becomes 
beautifully clean and highly curled. My followers have always 
gone through this performance a day or two before reaching 
Berbera at the conclusion of a trip. Young men and boys 
grow their hair in a heavy mop, often of a yellow colour, like 
the mane of a lion. Married women wear it in a chignon, 
enclosed in a dark blue bag. Young women and girls wear a 
mop like the young men, but carefully plaited into pigtails. 
Small children have their heads shaven, three cockscombs of 
short hair being left, giving the head the appearance of a 
crested helmet. 
Women are of very little account among the Somdlis, every 
boy appearing to lord it over the female members of his family, 
of whatever generation. The father of many daughters is rich 
in that while they are young they herd his sheep and goats, 
and when they marry he receives from the husband of each her 
yerad or price, in return for which he has to j3rovide a new hut 
and furniture for the pair. When a man marries he pays the 
