We were much puzzled to determine the race of
the Rendile. According to my Somali, their language
was somewhat akin to Somali ; but they also used
many Galla words. In colour they were lighter than
most Somali, and then,
how could we account for
the blue eyes ?
All of the men were
mutilated in an extraordinary
manner — their navels
had been .cut out, leaving
a small round hole. All
Rendile have this marking ;
and with but one exception,
so far as I know, it is confined
to that tribe. This
exception is the people who
inhabit the country lying
to the north of Lake Stephanie,
called Marié. The
Marié are very probably an
offshoot • of the Rendile,
who became tired of wandering,
and so settled down.
K a r s c h o
With the Rendile we found several people who said
they were Marié: They appeared in every way similar
to the Rendile, but said that some of their customs
differed ; for example, they eschewed all flesh but that
of sheep. We repeatedly asked them if they were not
in some way related to the Somali ; but the idea seemed
to anger them. They shook their heads vigorously,
and said : “ The Somali are our enemies,”