3 Review(s)

Seventeen Trips through Somaliland by H. G. C. Swayne is a travel narrative that documents the author’s extensive journeys and explorations through Somaliland (now part of Somalia) in the late 19th century. Swayne, an officer in the British military and an experienced explorer, undertook multiple expeditions through the region, which was still relatively unknown to Europeans at the time. His book offers a detailed account of his travels, providing insights into the geography, wildlife, people, and customs of Somaliland.The book is divided into several chapters, each focusing on different trips Swayne took between 1884 and 1899. These journeys were primarily aimed at surveying the land, hunting big game, and studying the flora and fauna of the region, although they also had a secondary purpose of contributing to British colonial interests in East Africa. Swayne’s narrative is rich in geographical details, as he traveled across diverse landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and rivers.