'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎199] (308/496)

The Galla tribes are described as a nation to be trusted if once an ac
quaintance is formed. They appear to understand cultivation of the
soil, and produce immense quantities of jowari, which is retailed at a
cheap rate on the east coast of Africa at the ports of Mukdesha, Juba,
Putta, Lamoo, &c., and thence exported to Hadramant. Bruce mentions
the river Webbi Gunana, or Jub, as the Yas, or Webbi ; and as an ad
ditional instance of his general veracity as a traveller, I may mention,
that on my enquiring about this name from the Somali who recently had
returned from the river, he told me that it was occasionally termed so
from the stream being full of “ Yahass” or alligators, rendering its navi
gation on a raft highly dangerous. From the word “ Yahass,” Bruce
doubtless derives his name. It is now well known that “ Webbi,” in the
Somali language, means a river, whilst Kebber or Kibbee signifies the bed
of a river in which pools of water are found. After a long search after
it, I found, by accident, that the river “ Durdur,” said to exist four days’
inland from Burnt Island, meant, in the language of the country, a
“ running stream,” but no river ; and doubtless, as our acquaintance with
this part of the country increases, we shall find that the confusion now
existing relative to the “ Webbi” will be satisfactorily cleared up, and
the number of rivers laid down in Mr. McQueen's map reduced to two
only—the Jub, or the Webbi Gunana, and its northern brother the
Webbi Shebeyli,—the three smaller streams running between them not
being worthy of mention.
Agahdur is governed by a Chief who takes the title of Oghass, but
who, like all other Somali Chiefs, can boast of little save the name.
Horses are described as being abundant, and very cheap; camels equally
so. The country, by all accounts, is safe, and the climate healthy; and a
journey through Agahdur, down to Gunana, or down the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. JSTogdl,
would amply repay the traveller. Amongst the families of Darrood,
Agahdur ranks as second; but in numerical strength, and extent of
country, it would probably take the first place.
Of Murreyhan* but little is known. Bordering as it does on theHaweea
tribe, who are a different caste of people to the Somalis, they are not
looked upon with much consideration, but their country must abound in
gums, myrrh, and ivory. The valley of the Nogctl borders upon them,
and they are separated from the sea by a belt of country occupied by
the tribe of the Haweea,—the first connecting link between the Somali
and the Seedie of the coast of Suwahhil.
* Murreyhan—a pompous man, a boaster.