The Queen of Sheba—one of the most mysterious women in biblical and ancient history—has stirred debate for centuries. Was she African? Was she Arabian? Or was she both? Her story is not only rich in legend but also layered in culture, geography, and theological meaning.
What the Bible Says
In 1 Kings 10 and 2 Chronicles 9, we read that the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon to test him with hard questions. She came with spices, gold, and precious stones. The biblical account does not mention her name, exact ethnicity, or kingdom. But the mystery deepens when different regions—Ethiopia, Yemen, and Arabia—claim her as their own.
Ethiopian Claim: Makeda the Queen
According to Ethiopian tradition, as found in the Kebra Nagast, the Queen of Sheba was named Makeda and ruled over a vast empire in the Horn of Africa. The story claims she bore a son by Solomon—Menelik I, the first emperor of Ethiopia’s Solomonic dynasty. Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity holds this narrative as central to its spiritual and national identity. It is also where the claim originates that the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia by Menelik I.
Her description in Ethiopian texts and oral traditions is unmistakably African, and her kingdom—rich in spices and gold—aligns well with ancient Ethiopia’s wealth and power.
Arabian Claim: Saba of Yemen
However, archaeological and historical records also point to Sheba (Saba) being a powerful kingdom in what is now modern-day Yemen. Ancient South Arabian inscriptions and trade routes suggest that the Sabean Kingdom was influential in the incense trade and had a queen who may have made a famous diplomatic journey to Jerusalem.
The region was Semitic, and the language of the Sabeans was South Arabian—not Cushitic or Amharic. This leads many scholars to place her origin in Arabia Felix, the fertile southern part of the Arabian Peninsula.
Could She Be Both?
Some modern historians suggest a trans-regional kingdom that spanned both Ethiopia and Yemen—separated only by the Red Sea. Ancient trade, migration, and politics flowed freely across these waters. If so, the Queen of Sheba could have had African lineage and Arabian domain, or vice versa.
It’s worth noting that many ancient civilizations—including the Egyptians and Nubians—interacted closely with the Sabeans. The possibility of intermarriage, mixed ethnicity, and cultural blending is high.
Appearance and Identity
What did she look like?
While the Bible is silent, Ethiopian texts, art, and iconography portray her with dark skin, regal stature, and adorned with gold and traditional African features. This description aligns with her being African in both identity and appearance. In contrast, Arabian inscriptions don’t describe her visually but focus on her power and reign.
Why It Matters
This question isn’t just about geography—it touches on identity, power, and representation. Whether African, Arabian, or both, the Queen of Sheba challenges us to rethink simplistic racial or continental categories applied to ancient figures. Her wisdom and courage made her memorable—not just where she came from.
But in a world that often seeks to erase African contributions from sacred history, acknowledging her African heritage becomes a powerful act of reclaiming spiritual dignity and truth.
✨ Final Thoughts
So was the Queen of Sheba African or Arabian?
The answer may be yes—to both. Her legacy is larger than one place or ethnicity. She stands as a bridge between civilizations, a seeker of wisdom, and a woman of great influence who dared to question the wisest man of her time.