From: Vicente C. de Jesus
Message: 16909
Date: 2002-11-28
Does anyone out there know the meaning of the placename Massawa. Its the port city in Eritrea. I believe its a Tingrean word.
There is a place in Mexico with the name. In the Philippines, in Mindanao, it means "light" or "radiance" in the Butuanon language. Mazaua was the anchorage of the Portuguese navigator, Fernam de Magalhains. He was a member of the Portuguese squadron in Kilwa, Tanzania assigned to interdict non-Portuguese ships entering the Red Sea. Magalhains had visited Massawa a number of times.
I would greatly appreciate your help. Thanks.
Vicente C. de Jesus