Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 4.djvu/505

 tradition, here died the great Sheikh Ishak, ancestor of all the Habr or "Grandmother" tribes, which belong to the widespread Hashiya division of the Somali race. Formerly the Somali advanced in years came from all the surrounding regions and settled near the venerated shrine, in order after death to secure a last resting-place near the remains of the founder of their nation. All the houses and cabins of Mayet were at one time grouped round about the tomb of the saint; but they have since been displaced in the direction of the west, near the mouth of a little coast-stream. Towards the north-east is visible the volcanic islet of Jebel-Tiûr, or "Bird Mountain," which contains a deposit of guano, and to which the English

have given the name of Burnt Island, from the colour of its lavas. The island is annually visited by about forty Arab dhows, from the port of Makalla in Hadramuut, returning laden with cargoes of this manure for their tobacco plantations. West of Mayet follow the seaports of Heis, Ankor, Kerem, all of which belong to the Habr Tol nation. Then, after rounding a headland, the seafarer comes in full view of a deep inlet in the coast forming the important harbour of Berbera. This is the only thoroughly sheltered haven on the whole seaboard, and has consequently been a busy seaport from the remotest antiquity. The town still keeps the old name of Barbaria formerly applied by the Greeks, not to any particular point, but