Travels and Adventures in Somaliland

New Zealand Listener, Volume 25, Issue 649, 7 December 1951, Page 9

Travels and Adventures in Somaliland

[7's nice to find that there are some people in the world who ‘can be primitive without making a fuss about

it. Some races seem to be trying hard to lose their civilisation, while a few are trying to -plaster it on where it

won’t stick. The people of Somaliland though, don’t bother either way. They’re quite happy, wandering from well to well in their thorn-bush and rock desert. on the Horn of Africa’ (the easternmost bit that sticks out into the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden), herding camels and living on their flesh and milk. The Somalis are not overburdened with living problems. A tent made of matting stretched over a frame is sufficient for a house, and their wealth is counted by their camels or goats or cattle. Being Moslems, they may have. up to four wives (though they have to keep them in separate places, and spend equal amounts of time with each). Their

amusements are simple; an occasiorial raid keeps them happy, and _ there’s, nothing like a prolonged feud or a piece of long-delayed revenge to give some spice to their lives. But for all that, they’re a pleasant people to be with-at least, that’s what Allen Smith found when he was in Africa. A’ New Zealander, he went to Ethiopia in. *1933 as»a_ missionary, but in 1935, when the: Italian invasion took place, he formed: a small Red Cross Unit and travelled to, Kenya ‘with the Ethiopian Southern army. » There he did further Red. ‘Cross work, and also a certain amount of teaching among the Ethiopians. Later he joined the British Army, and, in 1943, Was sent with the occupation?’ forces to Italian Somaliland. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and his last Position was Administrator of Civil and Military Affairs in the Mudugh province. Most of his time was spent, naturally, among the Somalis. He came to know the race extremely well, even, at times, ~ travelling with them, and Canterbury listeners will learn something of them, too, when the first of his four "Tales of Somaliland" is broadcast by 3YA on December 14, at 10.0 a.m.