sentences:  Hindu merchants from Surat and Southeast African merchants from Pate seeking to bypass both the Portuguese blockade and Omani interference used the Somali ports of Merca and Barawa (which were out of the two powers' jurisdiction) to conduct their trade in safety and without interference.The Ajuran Empire relied on agriculture and trade for most of its income.Major agricultural towns were located on the Shebelle and Jubba rivers, including Kismayo and Afgooye.