It takes place along most of the Kenyan/Somali
border areas and throughout the Horn of Africa generally. In most cases, cattle are
moved overland with three trekkers and an armed security person for every
approximately 100 cattle. There is a designated ‘head trekker’ who is directly
responsible to the trader and who may be employed on a fairly regular basis. In southern
Somalia, the individual must make payments to pass through territories controlled by
different factions and sub-clans and like the position of Abbaan (protector) in the days
of the caravan trade (see Lewis 1994: 115), he is responsible for the safe passage of the
herd. The head trekker or protector usually comes from one of the main lineages or subclans
whose territory the market animals must traverse.