Karin, Sahil

Karin was historically part of a chain of coastal Habr Je'lo settlements and ports – stretching from near Siyara (Habr Awal settelment) in the west to Heis (Xiis) in the east – that were important to trade and communication with the Somali interior. While the settlement were not as significant as the more established ports of Berbera, Zeila and Bulhar (respectively), Karin (Kurrum) was a major market for livestock and frankincense procured from the interior,[2] and was a favorite for livestock traders due to the close proximity of the port to Aden. Habr Je’lo traders acted as middlemen to Dhulbahante livestock herders in the interior by purchasing and/or bartering their stock for export to the Aden market:

“The last branch of the Western tribes is the Haber el Jahleh, who possess the sea-ports from Seyareh to the ruined village of Rukudah, and as far as the town of Heis. Of these towns, Kurrum is the most important, from its possessing a tolerable harbour, and from its being the nearest point from Aden, the course to which place is N.N.W., consequently the wind is fair, and the boats laden with sheep for the Aden market pass but one night at sea, whilst those from Berbera are generally three. What greatly enhances the value of Kurrum however is its proximity to the country of the Dulbahanta, who approach within four days of Kurrum, and who therefore naturally have their chief trade through that port.[3]