Ahmed ibn Majid—often honored as "the Lion of the Sea" and one of the greatest
Historical maritime sources, particularly the works of the renowned 15th-century navigator Ahmed ibn Majid, indicate that the body of water lying between Somaliland and Yemen was long known as the Gulf of Berbera. In his celebrated navigational manuals, Ibn Majid identified this sea corridor by that name, reflecting the strategic prominence of the ancient port city of Berbera along the Horn of Africa.
Although the modern world refers to this waterway as the Gulf of Aden, earlier global maritime records show that "Gulf of Berbera” was a widely recognized term in the medieval period. This historical naming underscores Berbera’s long-standing role as a major center of trade, navigation, and cultural exchange in the region that is today the Republic of Somaliland.
Ahmed ibn Majid—often honored as "the Lion of the Sea” and one of the greatest Arab navigators of the medieval world—was born in Julfar (present-day Oman) in 1421. He lived for 73 years and authored several important works on maritime science. His detailed charts and navigational innovations later helped shape the voyages of major explorers, including Vasco da Gama.
The significance of Berbera extends even further back in time. To the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, the port was known as "Malao,” a key node in East Africa’s commercial networks. Through the neighbouring port of Zeila (Zaila), goods from the African interior flowed to international markets across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
Thus, the term "Gulf of Berbera” is not only historically accurate—it reflects the enduring maritime, commercial, and cultural importance of Berbera throughout many centuries of global history.
Mohamed Abdi Jama
Mohamed Dhimbiil
Political analyst
Hargeisa, Republic of Somaliland
hadhwanaagnews 
