Origin of Senafe: From 'Where is Sanaa?' to a Historic Town in Eritrea
History 🏞️ Discovering Senafe: A Hidden Town with Deep Roots in Eritrean History Have you ever wondered how a town gets its name? The story of Senafe , a town nestled in southern Eritrea near the Ethiopian border, offers a glimpse into the fusion of migration, culture, and memory. 📜 From “Hakir” to “Saanafè”: A Name Born of Nostalgia Senafe wasn’t always called Senafe. According to local oral tradition, its original name was Hakir . The name changed when a man named Abdullah , originally from Sanaa , Yemen, settled in the Awdie district of Hakir. After marrying a local woman, he was often heard asking “Sana-fen?” —Arabic for “Where is Sanaa?” His longing for his homeland eventually inspired the town’s new name: Sanafe , or Saanafè , as it’s still pronounced today. His descendants formed a distinct local tribe, carrying on his legacy. 🗺️ Senafe on the Ancient Map Senafe wasn’t just a forgotten village. It appears on the Egyptus Novello map published in 1454 , a testa...