[41] The Ayyal Yunis, the principal clan, contains four septs viz.:--
1. Jibril Yunis. 3. Ali Yunis.
2. Nur Yunis. 4. Adan Yunis.
The other chief clans are--
1. Mikahil Dera. 7. Basannah.
2. Rer Ugaz. 8. Bahabr Hasan.
3. Jibrain. 9. Abdillah Mikahil.
4. Rer Mohammed Asa. 10. Hasan Mikahil.
5. Musa Fin. 11. Eyah Mikahil
6. Rer Abokr. 12. Hasan Waraba.
[42] The best prayer-skins are made at Ogadayn; there they cost about
half-a-dollar each.
CHAP. VII.
FROM THE MARAR PRAIRIE TO HARAR.
Early on the 23rd December assembled the Caravan, which we were destined
to escort across the Marar Prairie. Upon this neutral ground the Eesa,
Berteri, and Habr Awal meet to rob and plunder unhappy travellers. The
Somal shuddered at the sight of a wayfarer, who rushed into our encampment
_in cuerpo_, having barely run away with his life. Not that our caravan
carried much to lose,--a few hides and pots of clarified butter, to be
exchanged for the Holcus grain of the Girhi cultivators,--still the
smallest contributions are thankfully received by these plunderers. Our
material consisted of four or five half-starved camels, about fifty
donkeys with ears cropped as a mark, and their eternal accompaniments in
Somali land, old women. The latter seemed to be selected for age,
hideousness, and strength: all day they bore their babes smothered in
hides upon their backs, and they carried heavy burdens apparently without
fatigue.
![First Footsteps In East Africa; Or, An Exploration Of Harar. By Richard F. Burton
- An economical
proceeding where paper is scarce.
[40] Birsan in Somali, meaning to increase.
[41] The Ayyal Yunis, the principal - Page 236](../images/travel.jpg)
