Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

392 APPENDIX.
" To begin with, a definite course is necessary,
and is at the same time in some measure difficult,
because, as you well know, the greater
part of the high land of Abyssinia, inhabited by
Christians, is surrounded by a kind of desert,
scantily peopled by uncivilized races—^half Mohammedan,
half nomad— -which district is in
every way favourable to smugghng, there being
several hiding-places which are difficult to
watch, and it is especially people belonging to
these different, almost independent tribes, who
occupy themselves with buying .
and selling of
Abyssinian children, as well as stealing them,
and who give profitable help to the smugglers
who are engaged in the trade of Galla and negro
slaves.
" These districts are on the north-western
slopes of Wolhait, belonging to Addi Abo, of
Schire, and to Kohaim, of Hamasjen ; in the
other direction, on the north-eastern slopes of
Akullogussay and Agame. The tribes of (or
beyond) Wolkaih and Addi Abo, called Schamgallas,
are a mixture of old Ethiopian, Arabian,
and negro elements.
At Hamasjen the Abyssinian
inhabitants on the frontier partially engage in
this infamous traffic, as do the Hall-hall and
the Bogos, and also branches of the Habab
tribe. The inhabitants of the frontier of the
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highland of Akullogussay, that is Abyssinian