f.88v-117r (of the Ms 2292 of Paris that contains only his writings).

Taken from : Ibrahim Khoury : La Hawiya in Bulletin d'etudes orientales 1971.

Francois vire/Jean-Claude Hebert : Madagascar, Comores et Mascareignes a travers la Hawiya d'Ibn Magis in Omaly sy anio.

H. Grosset-Grange: la cote Africaine dans les routiers nautiques Arabes au moment des grandes decouvertes. Azania 1978.

Ahmed bin Majid: A view of astronautics in the Indian Ocean and coastal seas in the ninth century AH / fifteenth century / edited by Ibrahim Khoury.

 

Chapter V:

The indications of the directions of the littoral of Arabia, Hedjaz(province of Mecca), Siam (present day Thailand) , the Gulf of Berbery (coast North of Mogadishu up to Yemen) , Somalia, of Mrima (East African coast facing Zanzibar), of Zang, the islands of Qumr, the end of the Sudan, of Kanem (in West Africa), after measurements and exact written documents.

Section 42 verses 87-138

The sailing directions to az-Zang is on the setting of Canopus(1). Hold it and deviate not.

This course is plain when the ship starts from latitude Polaris(2) five fingers and Sail towards Munfia (Mafia island Tanzania) and al-Ahwar (Here the Zanj coast).

But when the ship reaches the latitude of the plough ten fingers, the banks remove her away from that course.

If you have not experienced that place, the pilot alone can guide you to Sofala.

The lands ends at latitude five fingers of the plough(3).

No land can be found south of it, and the region of al-Qumr is far-off it.

They say: As Sagara (48) harbour(Lorenzo Marques?) is the end of Habas’s (Ethiopia) mainland when the plough(3) is no more seen.

There is situated the course of the Nile of Egypt according to Ibn Hawqal(4), the vigorous and reference man.

May God exempt us and every Muslim from needing this dangerous and obscure place.

Some captains report strangely that from there towards the North West.

Stretch the islands of al-Magrib (the West) and the endemic area of the southern part of the Ocean Sea.

The sailing distance between them is big and lasts one month in strong winds.

They say that in old times the Greek ships used to go to Qumr.

Also they used to come to az-Zang mainland from India according to their authors.

Al-Qomr starts, in the north, with Great Bear (Ursa Major in the northern sky) at eleven fingers high, this is not idle talk;

I hear, brave one at Ras al-milh (salt cape)(13) (25) as well known with the Arab as Persian (sailors). (Note here the reason of the double designation of certain ports with a local and an Arabic name).

Some have said that this cape has 12 fingers; but in setting it is really the Big Bear at 11 fingers.

Between the island and (the coast) in front there are 56 zam(5) without haggling.

And Angaziga (Grande Comore) between Qumr and the Swahili coast is the one of the islands that is most known, remember what I say.

There is also Dumuni (Anjouan) and also Mulali (Moheli) with Big Bear at eleven fingers, without mistake.

One also finds, Muwutu (Mayotte) at Big Bear at ten fingers and a half, here you have some of the most remarkable islands. Up to you to remember what I said.

Besides these islands a heap of others mark out the coast (of Qumr?), some have a name, and the others don't.

The most southern Cape of Qumr, is only known to the one who revealed the gospel.

And we did not gather on that issue nor sure figures, nor fingers in height, nor any mentions.

There is however, at its extreme North end with its harbors, the residence of the Sultan (note: we will see later that this is Bimaruh/Vohemar), and its islands.

All commentaries will be given with the names of the harbors in another chapter and with all precision.

The route to Qumr is: course to the west (the rhumb)(Rhumb: a line or course on a single bearing) of Sirius and there, the sea is hard to handle.

During a recent talk, and with the exceptional interest I have, with the rare (guides) who can talk about it from experience,

I learned that the extreme south of Qumr is at Big Bear at one finger high (in two manuscripts four fingers are given; which would be more correct, but he repeats the one finger a bid later and in a later work the Umda (Sulaiman al Mahri) Madagascar ends at three fingers for the Big Bear in a harbor called Hufa(27) or Hawfa) and that to get there the route is: course to the south-west at (the rhumb of) Canope(1).

Some among them say that, all the way, the course to keep is (to the west) on (the rumb of) Sirius(6), this is what appears, far-seeing friend.

The name of al-Qumr is taken from Qamiran son of Sem son of Noah(7), our second father. (Adam being the first).

In its big extent, Qumr known islands (in the east) in the extension of al-Fal (Laccadive + Maldives) locatable because of land-marks.

But also, surrounded by high seas and breaking waves, compared to the big island they are to the south.

Towards its south and at 12 zam(5) there are big islands (This may be an allusion to the Mascarene islands; they are however more then twice that far away) as high as the heaven; (Reunion island with a 3069 meters high peak)  we do not know how high is the Big Bear there; we do not know to go to that wild uninhabited place (the Mascarene islands were uninhabited till 1646) what road to take in the sea, nor the distance.

In any case, we will inform you (about them) (the chapter on) the places of departure, then (the one on) the distances that they are separated, you who understands easily.

The merchants (and navigators) of Qumr know the coasts (of the high islands) themselves very well;

They bring from there, brother, ambergris, and that since ancient times.

Certain navigators have declared that (the coasts of) Qumr and (the land of) Zandj are parallel and don't separate further one from the other as long as the Big Bear is still visible.

None of those who have been taken there made sure that you absolutely make the wrong course if you always keep south between the two coasts.

On the other hand it is a channel with dangerous places, with very violent currents.

As Allah decides that a sailing boat reaches (the extreme south) in the ocean (Uqanus), with great risk for live and belongings.

The one mislaid has no other place to go then the coasts of al-Kanim(in West Africa), to the south of the Sudan and that know it well.

Navigator, it has also been said that the extreme south of Qumr, where Big Bear is at one finger height, there is the harbor of Kouri (26) (26)(Bandar-Kouri 26), know this also!

The extreme north of Qumr, there where is Lulugan (15) (27)(=Langany; Lulangane; now Nosy Longany) is with all evidence, at Big Bear, 10 fingers height,

In a bay that will be a safe place, because oriented to the south it stretches between two headlands, and remember well that I said.

I more in detail say that the Cape of Salt (13) (25) is on Big Bear 11 fingers high and that Manzalagi (17) (28)(= Old Masselage; now Majunga and Boene)  comes up at Big Bear 10 fingers, remember this. (Note the double designation the arbised one: Manzalagi situated opposite of the original Langani on the island)

Navigator; they told us that the distance (east-west) of Qumr is 20 zam(5), it is that at least that the wise ones say.

Know also that all around Qumr there are only reefs and islands with Big Bear at seven fingers height and un-deep water,

take the course tack to port side at (the rumb of) Arcturus(8) and go till Big Bear arrives at 8 fingers for the one who observes from the ship.

See here how Qumr is shown; as to its heights in fingers I will tell in the 7th chapter. (Note: He did not)

 

Chapter VI

(two last verses)

In the west and east, in Arabia and in foreign countries, in al-Qumr and China.

This is the conclusion about the correct ones, and I left the obscure ones for the boasting liar.

 

Chapter VII:

The indications of the directions (meaning about the sea routes) of the islands and harbors of  which one leaves at al-Maharag(in Indonesia?), at Sumatra, at the Laccadive(9), at al-Qumr, in Yemen, in the coasts of Abyssinie in Somalia, to al-Atwah(10)(2), in Makran(coast Pakistan) and in the in between places and what needs to be reported, all following exact information and correctly written documents.

Chapter VII verses 135 to 144: (strangely enough no information is given for the traffic between Madagascar and the African mainland; only what courses to follow between 7 main harbors in Madagascar and the islands of Tiri-Raga (38.) (=one of the Mascarene)

(Paragraph with title:)The harbors from which to leave at the coast of Qumr.

When the coast of (east) appear of Qumr, your intension is to get through to the islands (of the east)

Put the course to Tiri-Raga (38) (=one of the Mascarene) following (the rumb of) Achernar, starting from a latitude equal to that of Sa'da (16) (29); this is how my informer told me.

Then the harbor Bani-Ismail (28), (30)(now Diego Suarez - Antsirane) go my friend, to the east following ( the rumb of ) Canope.

From Mankar (32), (31)Tibbetts has for it: Rio Mangoro or Manakara or Mananjari) take the course east on (the rumb of) Achernar(11) and Tiri-Raga (38) appears surely at your horizon.

From Haduda (33), (32) with course east on (the rumb of) Scorpion(12) you will get there also, you who are broken from the routine. (Note except of this Haduda there is another one further south; Haduda means roaring of the sea).

But your route will be on (the rumb of) Altair(13)(=strait east) if you sail from the accesses to the harbor of Kus (34) (33)(Bandar Kus), don't stop from learning. (Note: Kaws: headwind is in the Indian Ocean called Kus. it is the south-western monsoon. Many harbors are called Kus; Majid takes two.)

You reach, brother the island Tira-Riga (38) from Bandar Abya (35) (34)(or Abaya) that is certain,

When keeping, friend, course to the east on (the rumb of) Arcturus. As well you reach from Kouri (26), (26) when taking course to the east on (the rumb of) Capella(14).

See here what are all the routes (on the east) of Qumr; it is up to you to understand well my verses.

If it were not, my brother, because of differences in the reports of my informers, we would have listed the double amount of noteworthy places.

 

Chapter VIII

Knowledge of the distances between the coast of Arabia and the ones of India, from the place where the height of the pole star 5 fingers is, to the place where it is 12 fingers. Enumerating the distances in zam(5) between the harbors situated on 4 principal latitudes comparing with what has been written about it; and starting from those distances all other distances in the sea can be calculated.

Verses 38-39

No exact distances for China and al-Maghreb could be found.

Nor two pilots agreed on and verified the sailing distances of al-Qumr.

Verses 61-65

From the al-Hadra island (Pemba island Tanzania) to Karam diwa(15), listen to my information,

There are less than 150 zams(5), even more according to other calculation.

From Karam diwa(15) to Sunda(16) in Java, they counted 130 zams.

Therefore, between the two islands of Java and al-Hadra,

we determine 300 zams less twenty zams in this case, in the opinion of the good pilot.

 

Chapter IX:

The determination of the height of the Polar star(17), the two Guards(18), and the Wagon(19) at the moment of the culmination of ? of the Lion(20), for all the known capes situated in the ocean and on the northern site; that is to say the Indian sea, the one of Siam, of Arabia, and of the Sawahil

Verses 28-29

But for Talang, Dang Dang Samutra, Mahkufang,

the shoal of Muqbil(21) off the country of az-Zang (1), measure the Guards(18) seven fingers and rely on it.

Verse 34

At Salt Zangi, Manqabuwa and Barawa(22), the Guards(18) are truly five fingers.

Verse 41

In the region around az-Zang (1), it (=the Guards) is septentriconal(meaning "of the north").

My description is enough to you, take my word.

Verse 46

The Guards at Mombasa and Zarrin(Seychelles) which is far 60 zams(5) in the high sea, and two fingers, be informed.

Verse 48 (also 2 fingers)

Garsik, Java, al-Hadra(Pemba island) whose name is mentioned, after Qari,

Verses 50-57

At Sarbaya, Fali island, Java, Manfiya(Mafia island) in the sand.

The Gread Bear is 12 fingers, it is proved. Understand my poetry which is like jewels.

At al-Harraba(23), Huriya(24), al-Milh’s head (13) (25)also, o inquirer at Fayden, Sasi-Timor, some pilots say at Kilwa(Coast Tanzania), o crudite.

At Angaziga (=Grand Comore), Hanzuwani,(=Anjouan), Mulali (=Moheli), and Dumuni (also on Anjouan) islands,

The Great Bear is in them all 11 fingers. Here at the end of al-Fal(Laccadive + Maldives), in the opinion of all pilots.

At Timor island(in Indonesia), and, in the opinion of al-Qumr pilots, at Bani Ismail(28) (30)harbour, (now Diego Suarez - Antsirane) the Great Bear is 10 fingers.

So it is at Lulugan (15)(27)(=Langany; Lulangane; now Nosy Longany), al-Ahwar(10)(2), and at Sufala (6-7) as was reported, o master of the sea.

Verse 56-57

91/2 fingers at Sa’da (16) (29)(West Madagascar) (I did not find the completer text of this verse)

Verse 58-60

9 fingers in Bimaruh (29) (35)(=Vohemar) (East Madagascar) and Anamil (18) (36), the harbor Darwis (3) (37)(East Africa), and Manzalagi (17) (28)(old Masselage; now Majunga and Boene) (West Madagascar). (I did not find the complete text of this verse)

Verse 61-62

8 fingers Gazira al Anbar (30) (38)(Island of Ambergris), (East Madagascar); the harbor Sagagi (4) (39), Musanbigi (5), (40)(both East Africa) Bandar al Nub (19) (41)(West Madagascar) (I did not find the complete text of this verse)

Verse 63-64

7 fingers in Nasim (31) (42) (East Madagascar) Malawin (20) (43)(West Madagascar, now Nosy Voalavo) (I did not find the complete text of this verse)

Verse 65

The Great Bear is six at Sufala (6-7), the country of gold, this is my knowledge.

Verse 65-66

6 fingers in Mankar (32) (31)Tibbetts has for it: Rio Mangoro or Manakara or Mananjari) (East Madagascar) Bandar Siban (21)(44)(or Sha'ban the port on the Rocks. It is here according to Tibbetts that the names start to be very doubtfull.) (West Madagascar) (I did not find the complete text of this verse)

Verse 67

5 fingers Bandar Haduda (33) (32)(East Madagascar) Bandar Kuri (22) (26)(West Madagascar) Rufati (8) (45)(East Africa) (I did not find the complete text of this verse)

Verse 68

4 fingers Bandar Kus (34) (33)(East Madagascar) Bandar Qasim (23) (46) Kandali (9)(47)(Ibn Majid in his other works calls this Qanbara which is on the island of Bazaruto, the tallest of the paradise islands) (East Africa) (I did not find the complete text of this verse)

Verse 69

It is (3 fingers) at the harbors of Hant (24)(49) (or Hayt, Hit), Tallini (10) (48)(on the East African Coast), and Abya (35) (24) in al-Qumr, o helper.

Verse 69-70

It is 3 fingers in the island of Tiri Raga (38) (East Madagascar) (I did not find the complete text of this verse)

Verse 71-72

It is 2 fingers in Haduda (36) (32)(East Madagascar) Timaruh (25) (West Madagascar).

Verses 72-79

At Kus harbour (37) (33)(East Madagascar), the deep of Gubba Kuri (26), (26)(West Madagascar) and as Sagarah (11) (48)(Lorenzo Marques?)famous harbour,

the Great Bear was measured one finger by the scientists. They see nothing else, understand.

If you measure at the end of ad-Damuti (12) (48)(East Africa) by the Great Bear before it is late,

you obtain half a finger for the al-Anaq (Mizar)(50) and al-Gun (Alioth)(51). Canopus is not setting and fixed.

because this is the end of az-Zang Coast (1) and the strait leading to the West and al-Ifrang(52) country.

There is nothing to the south (of Africa) except reefs and darkness which the creator (alone) knows. Some say that there are islands and that the extreme end of the coast is 5 isba(fingers) (18deg 21 min S) - O thou, the best informed. But the stories of the authorities do not agree. We ask Allah to pardon our errors.

 

Chapter XI

Verses 78-79

How many times I had recourse to the Arab calculation and to the Indian Computation since I was young.

I didn’t see in the knowledge of the originals anything correctly copied about Qumr and Zang.

 

Taken from: Annexe au procès-verbal: Une navigation européenne dans l'Océan Indien au XIVe siècle (M. Gabriel FERRAND) Journal Asiatique 1922

 

On fol. 100v

……… It is said that in ancient times, the ships of the Franks came to Komr (Madagascar) and also came to the coast of the Zang and India, according to what the Franks report ………

Note: this is highly unlikely. The only time this might have happened is during the period that the crusaders had extended their territory from Palestine to include access to the Red Sea. But no account reached us that they had a fleet in the Red Sea.

 

Taken from: Tibbetts, G. R.  The Malay Peninsula as known to Arab geographers: Malayan Journal of Tropical Geography, 9:21-60, 1956

ff. 103r.,1.3

The best known opinion from Negrais(53) to Buttom is to follow the Scorpion, O traveller. From Cape Negrais to the island of Fali, is to aim eastwards, said al Sumali. (Meaning coming from Somalia). From Cape Negrais to Martaban(54) by the Dog-star(55) rising O Captain.

 

Notes: The red numbers refer to the numbers on the map; the black numbers to the text added on the bottom.

A map of Madagascar made from the data available in the Hawiya (from Grosset-Grange, H)

 

(1)Canopus, Canope: is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina and the second-brightest star in the night sky. The south celestial pole can be approximately located using Canopus and another bright star, Achernar, as the three make an equilateral triangle.

(2)Polaris: is a star in the northern circumpolar constellation of Ursa Minor and is commonly called the North Star or Pole Star.

(3)plough: seven bright stars of the constellation Ursa Major.

(4)Ibn Hawqal: See my webpage Ibn Hawqal (970)

(5)Zam: = 12 nautical miles (one nautical mile= 1852m)

(6)Sirius: brightest star in the night sky in the constellation Canis Major (the Greater Dog).

(7)The name of al-Qumr is taken from Qamiran son of Sem son of Noah: In all other texts Qumr is named after the Khmer people (South-East Asia) colonising Madagascar or from The Mountain of Qumr the legendary sources of the Nile which was supposed to be close by.

(8)Arcturus: is the brightest star in the northern constellation of Boötes, the fourth-brightest in the night sky, and the brightest in the northern celestial hemisphere.

(9)Laccadive: group of three islands off the west coast of India.

(10) al-Atwah: means wilderness, place where whips get lost.

(11)Achernar: is the brightest star in the constellation of Eridanus.

(12)Scorpion: It's the brightest star in the zodiacal constellation Scorpius the Scorpion.

(13)Altair (=strait east): is the brightest star in the constellation of Aquila.

(14)Capella: sixth brightest star in the night sky and the brightest in the constellation Auriga.

(15)Karam diwa: southern part of Nicobar Islands (an archipelagic island chain) in India.

(16)Sunda in Java: the western part of the island of Java in Indonesia.

(17)Polar star: Polaris: is a star in the northern circumpolar constellation of Ursa Minor and is commonly called the North Star or Pole Star.

(18)two Guards: Within the constellation constellation Ursa Minor, the stars al-Faraqid, al Farqadan (Fraqid Farqad).

(19)the Wagon: another name for the plough; a part of the Big Bear.

(20)Lion: in astronomy, zodiacal constellation lying in the northern sky between Cancer and Virgo

(21)shoal of Muqbil off the country of az-Zang: off the coast halfway between Ras Hafun and Mogadishu.

(22)Barawa: Brava on the south Somali coast; The Bedouna of Idrisi (1150).

(23)al-Harraba: the place of Pirates- several places bear this name (not East Africa). 

(24)Huriya: splendid paradise several places bear this name (not East Afrrica).

(25) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Also called Cap d’Ambre, the northern tip of the island, was known as the “Cape of Salt,” Ra’s al-Milḥ.

The ‘Umda of Sulayman al-Mahri describes routes linking this cape to the East African coast and the Maldives:

You must know that between Ras al-Milh and the coast of the Zang, the distance is 50 zams [a 150-hour sail], and 20 zams [60 hours] east of Ras al-Milh there is an island called Munawwara [or Manura, possibly one of the islands in the southern Maldives]. (Vérin 1975a: 90)

(26) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Gubba (“Bay [of]”) Kuri on the west coast (a Bandar Kuri has already been mentioned further north); here, the name may refer to the Bay of Saint-Augustine).

(27) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: The Ḥawiya, Umda and Minhaj give the port of Langani (or Lulujan or Lulangani), in a “well sheltered” cove (“all these ports are dangerous to shipping except Langani,” notes Sulayman al-Mahri). The Ḥawiya (v, 43, verse 133) mentions the town of Manzalaji, at the same latitude: it must correspond to Lulangane and Massalagem Velha in the Portuguese texts, in the Bay of Mahajamba, established on an islet and on the coast respectively.

(28) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: the Ḥawiya (ix, 69, verses 58–60) places Manzalaji, possibly another Manzalaji than the one mentioned along with Langani. In the Bay of Boina, a town called Massalagem Nova by the Portuguese was created around 1600. Viré and Hébert have suggested manzil l-laji, “refugee’s station” or “immigrant’s station” as an etymology for Manzalaji (1987: 69).

Note that Beaujard is alone in saying that it is another Manzalaji than the one mentioned along with Langani. The general understanding is that Old Masselage is mentioned together with Langani. So the amount of fingers might not be correct.

(29) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Sa‘da, a place that Sulayman locates south of Langani: he successively notes Langani, Sa‘da, and Manzalaji, as Ibn Majid had done in his Ḥawiya (ix, 69). In this poem, Sada is located at “nine and half finger-widths.” The Portuguese did find a village bearing this name, perhaps located in the Bay of Anorotsangana. The term may mean “fort” in the Antalaotse language.

(30) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: according to the Ḥawiya (ix, 69, verses 56–57), one finds Bandar Banī Isma’il. Tibbetts, Viré, and Hébert suggest placing it further north, in the Bay of Antsiranana (Diego-Suarez), at Ramena, where Leguevel de Lacombe signals the existence of a site called Moncale-Antalotches, “port of the Antalaotres.”

(31) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Mankar which may be Manakara, or Ambohabe, at the mouth of the Matatana River.

(32) Francois Vire and J.C. Hebert: According to lbn Majid, it is necessary to distinguish this (bandar) Haduda located at the latitude of Big Dipper by five fingers in height from another Haduda raised to only two fingers. Khoury assumes the first at Nosy Varika and the second between Manantenina and Sainte Luce. Tibbetts ignores the problem of their whereabouts. If the etymology of this toponym is Arabic, it should be read Hududa in the double sense of “rumble of the sea” and “very sloping ground”, which would evoke a place where the sea breezes or an establishment clinging to the side from a steep shore.

(33) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Bandar Kaws or Kus means “port of the southwestern monsoon.” There is also another ‘Kus harbour’ in East Madagascar, at one finger.

(34) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Abaya on the east coast. Tomaschek and Tibbetts have read this term “Wabaya” and have connected it to the ancient name of Fort-Dauphin, Turubaya, mentioned by the Portuguese; however, Ibn Majid locates Bandar Hayt (at the same latitude) much further north.

(35) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Bimaruh, the Bemaro of the Portuguese and the modern Vohemar. The Arab word can also be read as Bimariwuh, which may be related to the name of the Bemarivo River: Muslims settled in Bemanevika, at the mouth of this river. The identification with Vohemar, however, appears more likely.

(36) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: the Ḥāwiya (ix, 69, verses 58–60) gives the name Anamil, connected by Tibbetts with the Namela River, which is located much further south, in Maintirano. According to Viré and Hébert, however, “it is certain [?] that this Anamil precisely corresponds to the sizeable trading settlement of Kingany, at the mouth of the Bay of Boina” (1987: 76).

(37) the harbor Darwis: Seydi Ali Reis (d. 1562) in al-Muhit: at 9 fingers ………. Bimaruh on the east coast of Komr; Anamil on the west coast of Komr; Sindjadji on the Zanj coast, called by some Bandar Darwis. Darwis = a religious mendicant.

Sindjadji or Sindjadi (or Singagi) is found in the Sufaliyya of Ibn Majid: is in the neighbourhood of Porto Amelia (Tibbets); JOUANNES Claude says it is the island of Ibo. I also prefer Ibo and neighbouring islands as no old history of Porto Amelia is known.

(38) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Jazrat al-’anbar, “Amber island,” is probably Sainte-Marie.

(39) the harbor Sagagi: This place is unknown. I think Somana might be a possibility as it is located kind of close. It is also the furthest south Swahili stone town.

(40) Mozambique island.

(41) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: on the west coast, the Ḥawiya (ix, 69, verses 61–62) indicates Bandar al-Nub. Ibn Majid places this at the latitude of Sainte-Marie Island. The connection suggested with Boina is conjectural (Tibbets 1971: 433).

François VIRE et Jean-Claude HEBERT in ‘Madagascar, Comores et Mascareignes à travers la Hawiya’ put it in the vicinity of Bemarivo, below Besalampy but add that it is doubtful.

(42) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Nasīm (“breeze”) for Tibbetts, this corresponds to Foulpointe or Vatomandry. Tibbetts reads this as Naitam, Tanatam or Tamtam which on early European maps occurs as Tamatava

(43) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Malawini (or Malawin) for Tibbetts, this corresponds to Nosy Voalavo (“Rats’ Island” to the south of Cape Saint-André). I propose A bit north of Maitirano. See my note on Malawin.

(44) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Bandar Si’ban, “Port with reefs,” on the west coast, which has not been located. I suggest putting it at the mouth of the Manambolo river which is at the southern end of the ‘banc de Pracel’ (a vast area of shoals) in which somewhere François VIRE et Jean-Claude HEBERT want to put it. At the mouth of the Manambolo river the Menabe kingdom was founded soon after Ibn Majid.

(45) Rufati: identification unsure.

Ibn Majid in his Hawija has Rufati at 5 deg.

In his Suffaliyya he has Satawah or Satuvah at 5 deg

Mulbaiuni city at a bid less than 5 deg

A port for all the winds, at 51/2 (fingers) a bit less

See my note on Rufati.

(46) On the west coast, the "Port of Qasim", pure Arabic name, would be located according to Tomaschek, in Morombe, while Khoury puts it further north, at the mouth of the Maintapaka. Ibn Majid gives bandar Qasim the same latitude four fingers than bandar Kus on the east coast and Kandali (not mentioned by Tibbetts) on the African coast. See my note on Bandar Qasim.

(47) François Vire in Madagascar Comores et Mascareignes …. states that: ‘Ibn Majid in his other works calls this Qanbara’ (Most probably because Kandali and Qanbara are both at 4 fingers). In the Sufaliyya of Ibn Majid JOUANNES Claude has translated the Manarah of former translators in Qambara and he identifies it as the bay of Inhambane. As proof he gives the description of Ibn Majid: ‘It does have here cliffs and islands in the reef here.’ And says that in the ‘Instructions Nautiques’ the bay of Inhambane is described as nearly complete obstructed by reefs and sandbanks. This is also very visible on Google Earth.

H. Grosset-Grange in his La Cote Africaine dans les Routiers Nautiques Arabes au Moment des Grandes Decouvertes; Azania 1978 has identified the mistake made by ibn Majid by giving the heights in fingers for the places is Madagascar in his Hawiya.

This drawing from Grosset-Grange makes it clear that four fingers for Nach in Madagascar is Inhambane in East Africa.

 

(48) Nothing is known of these places. 

Suleyman al Mahri (1515) (a student of Ibn Majid) has this to say about it:

(Translated by Gabriel Ferrand)

……… Where the Na'ch (of Big Bear) (measurements) are at 1 isba (26°34’S)(in height is located) the port of Kus on the eastern coast of Madagascar then the bay of Kuri on the western coast of the same island then the port of Ach-Chadjara (As Sagara) (or the port of Tree) on the eastern coast of Africa; According to the Ancients (masters of navigation) this port is the last of the islands (sic) on the eastern coast of Africa in the South but the Franks say that the western coast goes up towards the North and extends to the place where the Na'ch are by 7 (isba) in the sea (approximately 16° 18' South) But Allah is the most knowledgeable.

Gabriel Ferrand concludes it has to be Maputo (Lorenzo Marques) as it is situated at 25°58'S which is very close and itis a protected natural harbor

(49) Beaujard, Philippe in The Worlds of the Indian Ocean has: Bandar Hayt or Hīt (cf.Arabic hīt, “lowland”) or Han.

(50)al-Anaq (Mizar): star in the constellation of Ursa Major.

(51)and al-Gun (Alioth): the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Major.

(52)al-Ifrang: Europeans , collectively known as Ifrang.

(53)Cape Negrais : the furthest cape of Myanmar, Burma sticking out in the Gulf of Bengal.

(54)Martaban: Mottama; formerly Martaban (in Myanmar). It was the capital of the Martaban Kingdom from 1287 to 1364.

(55)Dog-star: Sirius is known colloquially as the "Dog Star", reflecting its prominence in its constellation, Canis Major.