Mohamed Diriye
Somali writer, linguist, historian; my interests include culture, history, travel.Dalxiise
Travel Blog Posts
Hargeisa, the phoenix of the Horn of Africa
Published: March 9th 2007Africa » Somalia » Somaliland » Hargeisa
March 9th 2007
Hargeisa is the main city and capital of Somaliland. Unlike the coastal towns, such as Berbera and Zeilah, which are at least 2,000 years old, Hargeisa is a new town. Before it was made the capital of the British Protectorate of Somaliland in the 1920s, Hargeisa used to be a caravan stop between the high plateau and the coastal towns. Its main attribute then was the availability of water from the bed of its river (wadi), which is dry except in rainy weather. The wadi is locally known as 'maroodi-jeeh' (elephant digs), as elephants used to dig holes in its middle to get to the water in the dry season. (Unluckily, the elephants have long vanished in this corner of the world.) The town went through rapid development up to the 1988 when it was ... read more
Sandy rivers - wadis and precious stones
Published: January 28th 2007Africa » Somalia » Somaliland » Hargeisa
January 28th 2007
Because of the mountains, the country is full of wadis (sandy rivers that are dry for most of the time except when it rains); however, after the rains some have flowing streams for a while; and that is the perfect time to camp around one. The sandy beaches of the wadis are like the sea bleaches - even finer sometimes, and take a dip in the fresh stream or pools. Just watch out for signs of rain and a torrent coming from up river. Plus if you have a hand for prospecting, you can search through sands of the wadi and maybe you will find a precious stone - an emerald, an opal, etc.. This country certainly has a precious stone.... read more
January 1st 2007
Sheikh Mountain are part of the Golis Chain that stretches along the length of Somaliland. Sheikh is a small town atop the Sheikh Mountains, and to get there you take the Sheikh Pass. The veiw from the Sheikh Pass is spectular, as the mountains cascade into the horizon. Sheikh is also home to the Sheikh Secondary School, the Eaton of Somaliland. Sheikh mountain (about 2,000 metres above sea level) is also a natural wonder by its vegetation; as it receives more rainful than the surrounding the areas, the mountain is well wooded, and many of the plants may be unique. Unluckily there it is not nature reserve, which it should be... read more
December 31st 2006
Berbera is about 200 miles or so away from Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland; more importantly, it may be the oldest town on this side of the African Red Sea/Gulf of Aden. It was visited by a Greek sailor-merchant in the first century AD, as is told in the Periplus of the Red Sea. I did not see much of the city's ruins or old buildings; I went to see the beach, where I spent a lot of time. The beaches are beautiful but were empty, except for a few youngsters taking a dip in the sea. It seems that few tourists ever venture into this country. But would that a wonder, when this country, termed as Africa's Best Kept Secret, for its stability and peace, is often confused with Somalia proper.... read more
December 17th 2006
What is a gerenuk? According to American Heritage Dictionary, a gerenuk is "An African gazelle (Litocranius walleri) having long legs, a long slender neck, and backward-curving horns in the male." The Word itself is from the Somali language. This is Somaliland -- the land of the gerenuks. It is also my birthplace, a place from which I had been absent for most my adult life, and to which I have returned now. So I am not actually a passing traveller, but more like a returnee, more like a sailor visiting his home port. I am in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, after a tumultuous union dating to 1960. Before Somaliland was a British Protectorate, until it became independent in June 1960; joined Somalia in the same year. One of things I like ... read more
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