When It Began...

The history of the Somalian people traces them back to an Arab sultanate (a place ruled by a sultun...think Aladdin, but without all the musical numbers). It was founded by Koreishite immigrants from Yemen and during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese traders landed in present Somali territory and ruled several coastal towns. The sultan of Oman and Zanzibar subsequently took control of these towns and their surrounding territory.

Post Script: The above image is a "earth snapshot" of the country of Somalia.

http://www.historyofnations.net/africa/somalia.html

Madagascar

At least 14 people die and 120 people seriously ill after eating toxic sardines.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12993339

The Sea Gangsters

BBC Radio is going to be doing a program on Tuesday April 12 about the realities of the pirates of Somalia.

"What the world sees is a half glamorous image of the Johnny Depps of Somalia. The reality is the new pirates are some 130 seperate but highly organized gangs..."

It would be lovely though if there were Johnny Depp's and men with similar looks sailing the high seas of the Indian Ocean...I would let them capture me.

Sadly this is far from the truth and the "growing scandal of international piracy" is reaching new dangerous heights, resulting in the deaths of innocents.

Welcome

Welcome all to the Sub-Suharan Arica blog site.  Hope that you enjoy the information you see here as we explore this country over the next 8 weeks. Please feel free to browse and make your own posts in this blog.   Welcome, explore and enjoy.