ABSTRACT
Dr. Vincent identifies Berbera with the Mosullon o f the author o f the Periplus, and that it “ has existed as a port o f great trade for several centuries,” writes Cruttenden, “ I conceive to be almost sufficiently proved by the fact o f its being an annual rendezvous for so many nations to the present day, and from the time for this great meeting having been chosen so as to suit the set o f the Bed Sea and Indian Monsoons... The annual fair is one o f the most interesting sights on the coast, if only from the fact o f so many different and distant tribes being drawn together for a short time, to be again scattered in all directions. From April to the early part o f October the place is utterly deserted, not even a fisherman being found there; but no sooner does the season change, than the inland tribes commence moving down towards the coast, and preparing their huts for their expected visitors.” It is estimated that as many as 20,000 natives assemble annually at this fair to barter their gums, resins, ostrich feathers, coffee, ghee, oil, cattle, and sheep, with merchants from the Bed Sea, Muscat, Baharain, Basra, Porebunder, Mandavie, Bombay, and other Indian ports. A considerable quantity o f these commodities is also brought over to the Aden market by the Sdm&lis, and the town and garrison there are almost entirely supplied with butcher’s meat from Berbera. Speaking o f that country Crutten den further says : “ The number o f sheep, goats, she-camels, etc., found on these plains is perfectly incredible, fully realizing the account given o f the flocks and herds o f the patriarchs o f old ; for many o f the elders o f these tribes own each more than 1,500 she-camels, and their flocks of sheep are literally uncounted.” The territory is governed by the elders o f the different tribes, but during the fair at Berbera no chief is acknow ledged, the customs of by-gone years being the only recognized laws o f the place.
