'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎180] (289/496)

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The Gridr Beersi are a shade more civilized than the Esa, owing pro
bably to their commingling more with the Somali tribes. Both the Esa
and Gidr Beersi, however, scarcely deserve the name of Mahomedans,
for hardly one in a hundred can pray, and reading and writing, save in
the case of a few very learned men, are unknown. I have been assured by
many of the Gidr Beersi that in the mountains forming the southern
barrier of their country are many wonderful ruins of stone and chunam,
the work of former ages, and abounding in inscriptions which no one can
read. However tempting this description may appear, it must be re
ceived u cum grano,” for, after a careful search along the coast from Cape
Asseyr to Zeyla, I have not succeeded in finding any remains of antiqui
ty, save the aqueduct at Berbera, elsewhere mentioned in this memoir,
nor is it likely that an illiterate savage would be able to distinguish an
inscription from an ornamental border on a stone. It is, however, to he
hoped that an opportunity will be afforded of examining this very inter
esting country. Interesting it must be for many reasons : the possibility
of inscriptions ; the extensive coffee districts ; the probability of the more
northerly rivers that reach near the sea either flowing close round, or
taking their rise in, the mountains ; and, further, the certainty that no
European foot has hitherto traversed this part of the country.
The Esa tribe are generally at feud with their Hebrawul neighbours
to the eastward. The number of horses that they possess renders their
habits more predatory, if possible, than otherwise they would be ; and
their forays are distinguished for the rapidity with which they are con
ducted, the secresy with which they are carried out, and the cold-blood
ed and ferocious conduct of the warriors engaged in the expedition. In
Eebruary last year, a feud between two tribes near Berbera induced one,
the Aial Yunus, to settle inland from a small roadstead called Bond
Harr. Here a few traders joined them ; and, having left their women
with the old men and children at the encampment inland, the men de
scended to the beach, to carry on their trade. Whilst thus employed, and
unsuspicious of any danger, a foraying party or “ Ghuzoo” of about
2,500 Esa Somalis attacked the camp inland, and put every one to the
sword : men, women, and children, were indiscriminately massacred; and,
laden with an immense amount of booty, the plunderers reached their
villages in safety. The Aial Yunus, paralysed by this catastrophe, were
fain to send for assistance to their brethren at Berbera, and, marching
shortly after inland, met with a fresh body of the Esa preparing to
make a second descent, and slew above 650 men.