Ζήγγισα

Ancient Greek

Etymology

Possibly related to Somali sanka (“the nose”) (Cushitic languages like Somali have been spoken there for many thousands of years). The cape was probably Kizingitini (-zingitini matches the phonetics, ki- is a common prefix). It seems we are looking at an ancient name that has been remoulded (kizingiti) to look Bantu. map

Proper noun

Ζήγγισα • (Zḗngisa) f (indeclinable)

1. (historical) A cape of East Africa referred to by Ptolemy (Ptol. Geog.4.7.11), see w:Zengisa Acra

References

"AZANIA, SOME ETYMOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS", John Hilton, Acta Classica, vol.35