'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎206] (315/496)

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and the sea, undulating ranges occur, intersected by ravines, and thickly
wooded; whilst the belt of level ground near the sea is thinly sprinkled
with bushes, and exhibiting a plain of white sand. The Oor Sungeli
country extends from Bunder Zeyadeh to Bunder Jedid.
The tribe is powerful and warlike. Brothers of the Mijirtheyn by the
same mother, they generally coalesce should war break out, but petty
feuds and plunder are of frequent occurrence.
The Oor Sungeli* are divided into several clans, of whom the following
are the most important1st, Gerad Abdullah, the royal branch, from
which the title of Gerad or chief descends by hereditary right. They
reside on the sloping southern side of the great mountain range of Ey-
ransid, or the “ cloud-bearer.” 2nd, the Noh Amor, who are found at
Bunder Jedid. 3rd, Ogeiss Lubba, to whom belong two out of the three
villages of Bas Kori. 4th, Aden Seyd, at the village of Galm, ai^l the
mountains above. 5th, Mayedth, resident at Doorderi. And lastly, the
numerous clan of 66 Dubeiss,” who occupy the towns of Elayeh, and extend
to bunder Zeyadeh, where they join Mijirtheyn.
The Sultan Gerad Abdullah had three wives, who bore the three
families of “ Bha Mijirtheyn,” “ Bha Edoor,” and “ Bha Ogeiss Lubba.
The present chief is of the Bha Mijirtheyn, or eldest, branch, and has now
ruled for about three years. His power appears to be very great in some
respects, and the sight of his baton, an ivory staff, is sufficient to collect
the tribe in the event of war. But the chief to^whose standard thousands
would at once readily flock, dares not so much as fine, still less beat, any
man of his tribe, unless supported by his elders.
The Oor Sungeli have numbers of horses, and of a good breed. ^ ^
the exception of the tribe of Dubeiss, the arms used by them are the two
spears and shield. The Dubeiss are nearly 5000 strong, and fight with
the bow and poisoned arrow alone. It is worthy of remark, that in this
tribe theft is looked upon with abhorrence, and though, in the event of
a wreck, the natives would doubtless consider it fair to plunder, still?
during my stay amongst them, though many a tempting opportunity of
pilfering occurred, not an article was lost. To call a man a thief is a
deadly insult, to be washed out by blood alone. Pity is it that the
Somali tribes of the Edoor have not the same prejudice in favor o
honesty.
* Bringer of good news.