An associate professor of Sociology at Central Michigan University who specializes in Somali minorities stated in a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, that "Madhiban" is a pejorative term used to refer to a group of people who engage in hunting, gathering, and metal and leather work (15 Oct. 1995). He stated that main stream Somalis shun and despise the occupations performed by the Madhiban and so the former treat the latter as "untouchables." He further stated that the Madhiban are the same as the Migdan but the term "Madhiban" is more polite. This information could not be corroborated by sources currently available to the Research Directorate. For additional information on the Midgan, please consult the numerous information requests on the topic, available at Regional Documentation Centres.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Associate Professor of Sociology, specializing in Somali minorities, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, 15 October 1998. Telephone interview. Research Directorate.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. January -July 1998. Vol. 35. Nos. 1-7.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. January - August 1998. Vol. 10. Nos. 1-4.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. June 1997-September 1998. Nos. 768-827.
Danish Immigration Service [Copenhagen]. May 1997.

Report on the Nordic Fact-Finding Mission to Central and Southern Somalia 15 February to 14 March 1997.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIX/NEXIS, Internet, World News Connection.

One oral source consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.