here as in other parts of Africa, though some do wear necklaces of
them, with large rings of amber. This description, however, applies to
the Somali in his own land. When he comes over to Aden he takes shame
at his nakedness, dons the Arab's gown and trousers, and becomes the
merchant complete.[7]

In consequence of the poorness of their land, almost all the Somali
are wandering pastorals, which of itself is enough to account for
their turbulent natures. The system of government they maintain is
purely patriarchal, and is succeeded to by order of birth generally in
a regular and orderly manner, attributable, it would appear, to the
reverence they feel for preserving their purity of blood. The head of
each clan is called Gerad or Sultan, who would be powerless in himself
were he not supported by the united influence of all the royal family.
When any disturbances or great disputes arise, the sultan is
consulted, who collects his elders in parliament to debate the matter
over, and, through them, ascertain the people's feelings. Petty
disputes are settled by the elders without any further reference. In
most cases war arises from blood-feuds, when a member of one clan
kills the subject of another, and will not pay the recognised
valuation of the party injured, or allow himself to be given up to the
vengeance of the family who has sustained the loss. In such cases as
these, whole tribes voluntarily march out to revenge the deed by
forcibly taking as many cattle from the aggressor as the market
valuation may amount to.

Thus a war, once contracted, does not subside for years, as by
repeated deaths among the contending parties the balance of
blood-money never can be settled. Moreover, the inflicted punishment
seldom falls on the party immediately concerned; added to which, in