ABSTRACT
Thanks are due to the many friends and colleagues with whom I have had the opportunity to discuss various topics dealt with in this book and who kindly helped to make my voyage along the coast of East Africa in 1965 both pleasant and fruitful. I would not have been able to accomplish much in the short span of time available without their help and encouragement. I would like to mention their names in this context: J. W. T. Allen, S. Aidarus, C. Buckler, A. S. Bujra, H. N. Chittick, E. H. v. Eeghen, W. Heldring, A. A. Jahadhmy, J. S. Kirkman, the late H. E. Lambert, R. W. Marsman, P. M. Ritchie, H. Sassoon, F. v. d. Steynen, W. H. Whiteley and T. Wylie.
