The Blackheaded Persian is a breed of sheep that originated in the arid regions of east Africa in what is now Somali. It is one of the fat-rumped breeds and both sexes are polled. The breed is now found in South Africa where they are sometimes known by the name Swartkoppersie. It also found its way to the tropics of the Caribbean region via South Africa many years ago. The Caribbeanpopulation has adapted well to the humidtropics. Research Blackhead Persian
The giraffe (formerly known as the camelopard) is the tallest mammal, reaching a height of over four meters, and found only in Africa south of the Sahara. A member of the family Giraffidae, suborder Ruminantia of the order Artiodactyla, there are two distinct species of giraffe, the common or blotched giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and the reticulated or Somali giraffe (Giraffa reticulata). The giraffe has a short body, but very long neck and legs. The head is furnished with short horns covered with skin and short tufts of hair. There may be one pair of horns or two pairs, one shorter pair behind the longer front horns, and often between the front pair a central swelling on the forehead which may be as long as the horns. The markings of a giraffe varies from each animal, being unique with no two giraffes identical. A group of giraffes is known as a 'tower'. Research Giraffe More pictures of Giraffe
The Somali is a breed of long-haired cat renowned for its playful attentiveness and for its keen abilities as a mouser and hunter of small game. It has a lush and slightly shaggy coat, each individual hair carrying ten or more colour tickings, giving the coat a very rich colour density. The ears are large, pointed, and set wide apart, the tail is full and brushy and held over the back when the cat is moving. The eyes are hazel, amber, or green and almond-shaped. It has a lively and shrewd demeanour and is suited to a life indoors, although it needs space to run and play. Research Somali
The Somali Wild Ass (Equus asinus somalicus) is the only surviving subspecies of the African Wild Ass. The Somali Wild Ass stands about 130 centimetres tall, has a large head in proportion to its body, and is a uniform light grey in colour. The Somali Wild Ass resembles the domestic donkey (Equus asinus), but is not actually a donkey. Rather, domestic donkeys are descended from the now extinct Nubian Wild Ass which was very similar to the Somali Wild Ass. The
Somali Wild Ass is now on the verge of extinction and is one of the rarest animals left in the world, with just a few hundred remaining in Ethiopia and Somalia. Research Somali Wild Ass
Hamites (descendants of Ham), is the name given to a number of races in North Africa, who are regarded as of kindred origin and speak allied tongues. They include the ancient Egyptians and their modern descendants, the Copts, the Berbers, Tuaregs, Kabyles, the Gallas, Falashas, Somali, Dan'kali, etc. Research Hamites
The Somali are a Hamitic people of east Africa. They are a stalwart, lithe, dark-skinned people standing at slightly less than the average European height, with long faces, thin lips, a straight nose and ringlet hair. Traditionally the Somali were pastoral nomads living in patriarchal conditions of an Arabian origin. Coastal dwelling Somalis were traditionally agriculturalists and fishermen. The British army regiment the King's African Rifles were recruited from the Somalis. Research Somali
HMS Somali was a British Tribal Class destroyer of 1870 tons displacement launched in 1937 and sunk during the Second World War. HMS Somali was powered by three Admiralty 3-drum type boilers providing a top speed of 36.5 knots and carried a crew of 219. She was armed with eight 4.7 inch dual-purpose guns; seven smaller guns and four 21-inch torpedo tubes. Research Somali
The Somali was an American-built French Senegalais Class frigate of 1300 tons displacement launched in 1944. The Somali was powered by diesel-electric engines providing a top speed of 19 knots and a range of 18400 km at 11 knots. She carried a complement of 185 and was armed with three 3 inch dual-purpose guns; two 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns; twelve 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns and eight depth charge throwers. Research Somali II
Djibouti is a republic in Arabia. It has a total area of 22,000 km2. The climate is desert; torrid, dry. The terrain is coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains. Natural resources are geothermal areas. The religion is 94% Muslim, 6% Christian. The language is French (official); Arabic, Somali, and Afar widely used. Research Djibouti
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Blackhead Persian
