'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎185] (294/496)

185
some years admitted them to equal participation in these profits* but after
the occupation of Aden by the British* the office became more valuable,
in consequence of the Aden Banians employing an “ Abban” throughout
the whole year, who, when the fair was over, proceeded inland with an
investment of goods, and purchased, in anticipation, much of the produce
of the future year.
Jealousies soon arose, and the Aial Yunus shortly after drove the
Aial Ahmed out of Berbera, and declared themselves the only “ Abbans'*
for strangers during the fair. The Aial Ahmed upon this took advan
tage of Berbera being deserted as usual, and, with the assistance of Hadj
Shermarkhi Ali Saleh, governor of Zeyla, erected four martello towers
on the spot generally occupied by the town, and hired thirty match-
lockmen to garrison them. A battle of course ensued, and, assisted by
the foreign allies, the Aial Ahmed drove the Aial Yunus away from the
place, with the loss of thirty-three killed and double that number
wounded.
Bronx this peidod the two tribes have been at deadly feud. The Aial
Yunus established themselves at the roadstead of Boul Han*, about
twenty-five miles to the westward of Berbera, and, from their influence
and connections with the Indian merchants, succeeded in drawing a con
siderable portion of the trade to the new settlement.
Everything, however, turned against them. A gale of wind during
one season destroyed seven native vessels fully laden, and the Esa So-
mal in February 1847 committed frightful slaughter amongst their
women and children, compelling them to sue to the Aial Ahmed for
assistance. The present season will, it is to be hoped, put an end to the
feud. The Aial Ahmed will destroy their ports, and the trade will
then be carried on as before; but amongst these savage tribes, promises
are of no avail, and the slightest provocation, on either side, will be the
signal for the renewal of hostilities.
The fair at Bexffiera is now so well known that it may appear super
fluous to give any further description of it, but as it is the principal port
in the Haber-awul countiy, a few remarks regarding it may not be con
sidered out of place.
That Berbera has existed as a port of great trade for several centu
ries, I conceive to be almost sufficiently proved by the fact of its being
an annual rendezvous for so many nations to the present day, and from
the time for this great meeting having been chosen so as to suit the set