Finally, the view that the Somalis derive from the mixture of Gallas with Arabs
is based on the (real or imaginary) evidence of comparative anthropology, or more
Precisely on the close kinship of the Somalis with the Gallas and on their unques-
tionable mixing with Arabs.
Paulitschke claims that the Somalis, like the Danakils, in respect of their origin
are only a branch of the Gallas, that they constitute simply the northeastern Galla
tribes which, owing to their strong mixture with the Arabs, “turned” into Somalis
and Danakils 2 approximately in the 7th century of our era.
In the opinion of Ratzel, the Somalis are “a branch of the Galla peoples most of
all affected by alien influence and mixed with alien elements”. He thinks that the
Somalis first lived farther west of their present territories, but later, driven by other
“Galla peoples”, wandered eastward, to the coast regions, and the result was that
“by reason of their situation they had to maintain frequent contacts with Arabia”
and mixed with the Arabs to a considerable extent. This is how the Somali people
was born which, therefore, is an Arabized Galla people or, in the w^ords of Ratzel,
“an Arab branch on the Galla trunk”. 3
It is interesting to note that the same Hahn, who, as we have seen, seems to be
Convinced that the Somalis “doubtless immigrated into Africa from Arabia”, turns
out to be far from sure in his belief, since in another place he writes the following:
1 Voyage au Cap des Aromates, p. 257.
2 See Beitrdge ...» on p. 90. below.
5 Op. cit. vol. ii, pp. 185, 182.
THE HISTORY
OF BLACK AFRICA
VOLUME I