'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎184] (293/496)

With the above brief sketch I close my remarks on the Gidr Beersi
and Esa Somal tribes, the western boundary of the Somali nation, and now
beg to offer what information I have been able to collect relative to the
three great tribes of Haber Gerhajis, Haber Awul, and Habertel Jahleh.
The Haber-awul, as I have before stated, occupied the low lands
between Berbera and Zeyla, a fertile tract of country, with several low
ranges of hills, and averaging perhaps forty miles in depth to ninety in
length. The number of sheep, goats, she camels, &c., found on these plains,
is perfectly incredible, fully realizing the account given of the flocks and
herds of the patriarchs of old, for many of the elders of these tribes own
each more than 1500 she camels, and their flocks of sheep are literally
uncounted. Asses are very numerous, and most admirably adapted to
the country. The camels are small and weak, and are never used for
riding, except in a case of sickness, or a wound. The Haber-awul have
no Chief. The customs of their forefathers are the laws of the country,
and appear to be based upon the simple principle that might gives right.
Theft is punishable with the loss of the right hand, and fortunate it is for
the Habar-awul that this is not insisted upon, for they are the most in
veterate thieves that I ever found on the coast. They wear the “ Reesh,”
or Ostrich Feather, after slaying a man, but speak with abhorrence of the
Esa custom of mutilation after (and sometimes before) death.
Two branches of the Haber-awul tribe, the Aial Ahmed * and the
Aial Yunus, having established themselves at Berbera, took upon them
selves the office of protecting strangers who annually visit that port
during the time of the great fair. The “ Abban,” as the protector is
called, is bound to arrange all disputes, and even fight all battles, that may
arise between his client and his countrymen. In all sales or purchases
he acts as broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. , and in like manner does not forget to demand his
brokerage. His food and lodging are provided at the expense of the
merchant who employs him, and the office is considered honorable, as
well as lucrative. The thieving propensities of the Haber-awul, above
alluded to, are not indulged in in these cases, but should the merchant have
the presumption to trust to himself, and to dispense with an “ Abban,”
the chances are that he would be despoiled of all his goods.
The Aial Yunus, who are more numerous than the Aial Ahmed, for
* The following shews the descent of the Aial Ahmed and Aial Yunus from
Isaakh:—Isaakh, Habir Awul, Musa, Saad, Isaakh, Awuth, Abou Bekr, Jibnib
Ismail, Noh, Yunus Ahmed, Aial Yunus, Aial Ahmed.