My genetics is not landlocked: Traveling through Sahara Desert to Puntland!

Having crossed the Red Sea through the Suez Canal and walked the biblical path from Egypt’s Mount Sinai to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan—a graduation gift to myself after completing my MBA—I was captivated by the mysteries of the Red Sea. This body of water holds profound significance not only for the global community but also for my Abyssinian ancestors, who were born near its shores, a region often regarded as the cradle of humankind. The Red Sea has been a vital trade route for millennia, connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all navigated its waters, trading spices, gold, and ivory. I’ve always felt a nomadic spirit within me. While my social, emotional, and intellectual intelligence is rooted in my highland ancestors, my heart finds peace in exploring the world freely, especially when sharing meals with the nomads of the Sahara Desert—the Afar, Bedouin, Tuareg, and Berber.

During my trip to Egypt, I explored the land of the pharaohs, from Alexandria to Abu Simbel. Sailing with Nubians on the Nile and hiking Mount Sinai with Bedouins offered me a glimpse of unconditional joy and a deeper understanding of the history, civilization, and interconnectedness of my ancestors. I felt immense gratitude for the opportunity to uncover aspects of my heritage that were never taught in school. Reflecting on these experiences fills me with humility and a profound sense of purpose as I seek wisdom, truth, and a life well-lived.

I am fortunate to have been raised in a family where my uncles and aunts shared stories of our ancestors, surrounded by faith and love that grounded me. This foundation has given me the inner freedom and confidence to explore both internally and externally. In Egypt, I saw statues thousands of years old that bore a striking resemblance to me, and I learned that my homeland was part of what the ancient Egyptians called the “Land of the Gods.” The Red Sea coast, encompassing present-day Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and northern Somalia, is widely believed to be the location of the ancient Land of Punt, first mentioned in the 25th century BC. The Land of Punt was a major trading partner of ancient Egypt, supplying gold, myrrh, ebony, and exotic animals. Queen Hatshepsut’s famous expedition to Punt in 1493 BC is immortalized in the reliefs of her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri.

When choosing my next destination, I always look inward, seeking not just sightseeing but a blend of adventure, history, relaxation, social awareness, and strategic business opportunities for myself and the communities I serve. Djibouti has been on my mind for years. Though it is close, it has always seemed prohibitively expensive. Yet, I was drawn to the allure of whale shark diving in the Red Sea and the chance to connect with the Afar people, the ancient inhabitants of the Horn of Africa. The Afar are one of the oldest ethnic groups in the region, with a history dating back to the prehistoric era. Having visited the Berbers of the Sahara Desert in Morocco last year, I was intrigued by their claim that their ancestors came from the East. This piqued my curiosity, as the historical ties between the Horn of Africa and North Africa extend beyond the Axumite Empire and the Nile River to include traders and travelers who crossed the Sahara from East to West Africa.

The Kingdom of Axum

The historical connections between Ethiopia, the Middle East, and India are deeply rooted in trade, spirituality, culture, and religious texts, dating back to before the advent of Christianity. The Kingdom of Axum, which flourished from the 1st to the 7th century AD, was one of the most powerful civilizations of its time. It controlled trade routes linking the Roman Empire, India, and the Middle East, dealing in ivory, gold, and frankincense. Axum’s obelisks, or stelae, still stand as testaments to its architectural and engineering prowess. Ethiopia, known historically as Abyssinia, was the first country to adopt Christianity in the early 4th century under Emperor Ezana. This legacy extends to Djibouti, Eritrea, and parts of Somalia. Djibouti is primarily inhabited by Ethiopians, Somalis, and Afar people. The Tigrayan and nomadic Afar communities, who were among the first in Africa to embrace Islam, also played a significant role in history. The Afar are linked to the Adal Sultanate, which once controlled much of the northern Horn of Africa and maintained trade relations with Northeast Africa, the Near East, Europe, and South Asia. The Adal Sultanate, centered in present-day Djibouti and Somaliland, was a key player in the 16th-century conflicts with the Ethiopian Empire, supported by the Ottoman Empire.

During my travels to Spain and Portugal last year, I was struck by the profound influence of the Muslim Berbers (Imazighen) in Al-Andalus and beyond. Their impact on art, architecture, science, cuisine, culture, and music during their 700-year presence in the Iberian Peninsula was undeniable, even as they clashed with European powers. The Moors introduced advanced irrigation systems, new crops like citrus fruits, and architectural marvels such as the Alhambra in Granada. Their intellectual contributions, including the translation of ancient Greek texts into Arabic, helped spark the European Renaissance.

Djibouti, though small, hosts numerous foreign military bases, which inject significant foreign currency into its economy but also make it an expensive destination for locals and travelers alike. The country’s strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea has made it a geopolitical hotspot since ancient times. Despite this, the country’s international port ensures a diverse selection of groceries and goods catering to its foreign residents. A trip to Djibouti typically revolves around three main activities: exploring Djibouti City, visiting Lac Assal and Lac Abbé, and experiencing whale shark diving or sailing the Red Sea on yachts, tour boats, or with local fishermen. Lac Assal, one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, lies 155 meters below sea level and is a remnant of ancient geological shifts. Lac Abbé, with its otherworldly limestone formations, was once a bustling trade route for caravans. The architecture and cuisine reflect a blend of African and Middle Eastern influences, and the compact city is perfect for walking or hiring a car to explore its coastline, shops, and restaurants.

Through my travels and vlogs about Djibouti and the Horn of Africa, I’ve become deeply fascinated by the region’s history, society, economy, spirituality, and trade—topics often overlooked in Western academic curricula. My work in East Africa has ignited a passion to travel, research, deprogram, decolonize, and rewrite my own narrative. It’s a journey to reclaim my feminine divinity, honor my history, and embrace a humanity without borders, all while exploring our geopolitical connections to evolve into our highest potential as individuals and as a collective.

You cannot envision an evolved society or a New Earth without acknowledging the truths of the past and the realities of the present.

Melkam Guzo(Happy travels)

“Take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill nothing but time.”  ☆ Conscious Travel