The NorthernZanj, Demadim, Yamyam, Yam/Yamjam,Habasha/Ahabish,Zanj-Ahabish, andZanj ed-Damadam– The Horn of Africa between the Ninth and Fifteenth Centuries

Abstract

Abstract:This article argues that historians will have a new understanding of northeast and east Africa if they recall the medieval meaning of the termsZanjandAhabish, orHabasha. Before the fifteenth century the termZanjincluded the diverse populations of northeast Africa, so should not be exclusive of the populations of coastal east Africa. Likewise,HabashaorAhabishwas not confined to the peoples of the northern Horn but included the diverse peoples of coastal east Africa. Uncovering older meanings ofZanjandAhabishhelps to identify elusive groups of ancient northeast Africans referred to as northernZanj, Zanj-Ahabish, Ahabish, andDamadim. For identification, this article presents three types of historical data overlooked in the sources. The first consists of the interchangeable names northernZanj,Damadim, Ahabish, Zanj-Ahabish, andZanj ed-Damadimto recast the termZanjand identify theDamadimorYamyam.The second is the broadly inclusive meaning before the fifteenth century of the termHabasha. The third is the reported eloquence in theirButtaaceremony of the northernZanj, and the institutional setting of theButtaawithin the OromoGadaasystem.