A Brief History of the Beautiful Socotra Island

A unique landscape, with distinct biodiversity that delights a nature lover's heart, and a vibrant community. Socotra Island is known as a hidden gem for many, many reasons. The History of Socotra Island is just as interesting. Whether you are planning Socotra tours or just love learning about interesting places worldwide, Socotra’s past is one to know. Let's step back in time!

History of Socotra Island: Diving Into a Rich Past

The island, while remote, has a population for quite some time. The diverse Socotra culture today is mainly has influences of mainland Yemen, you will find traces of its past too. The earliest record of events goes back to the 4th century BCE, during the peak of classic Greek civilization.

It’s said that Alexander the Great sent settlers from Aristotle’s hometown, with guidance from the philosopher. They set roots on the island that is now known as Socotra. The island offered a bounty of resources, especially unique flower-bearing plants that offered abundant food.

Socotra Island Heritage: The Greek Settlers

The establishment of a Greek colony on the island turned into a diverse community. Hellenic settlers shared their democratic principles with the local and Indian populations. As a result, Socotra became a symbol of idealistic values by the 1st century BCE.

Delving into Diodorus Siculus’ writings, you will find that the Greek historian describes the island as a democratic society. The warrior citizens elected their leader each year and traveled across the island in chariots.

He described this societal framework as one that might resonate with Aristotle’s ideas about choosing families for a new colony, suggesting the island as a strong candidate for a democratic experiment. However, it is important to know that there is no record of Diodorus’s visit to Socotra.

Socotra Island heritage according to historians includes the treasures travellers can witness today. These include frankincense and myrrh plants, various endemic wildlife, and the hidden caves of Socotra. The perilous tales of the Erythraean Sea introduce the possibility of white tortoises, crocodiles, and large reptiles to the wildlife.

Christianity on Socotra Island

Socotra Island history records the first Christian church construction on Socotra from the remains of a shipwreck, under the leadership of Apostle Thomas. The church grew significantly, even sending representatives to the Yemeni mainland by the 4th century.

Many historians believe that Emperor Constantine II appointed Bishop Theophilus Indus to the Himyarite seat in Dhafar (mainland Yemen). Socotra may have been one of the regions where Christianity briefly became the official religion.

The proof of Christian impact is present in the writings by Cosmas Indicopleustes. The traveller’s aim for the voyages in 6th century were to challenge past geographic beliefs. His records show that Christian community on the island was under the authority of the Eastern Assyrian church—with a similar claim by Marco Polo.

The Christian history of Socotra Island faced a hurdle in the late 5th century. The Church of the East (the Nestorian Church) separated from mainstream Catholic beliefs due to theological disagreements championed by then Bishop of Constantinople, Nestorius.

The Portuguese Occupation on the Island

Socotra Island history takes another interesting turn, as the earliest 16th century saw Socotra under the occupation of the Portuguese, who took control after a battle with the Mahri near Souk. However, this victory was short, from 1507 till 1511, concluding with the Mahri Sultans successfully reclaiming the territory.

The Portuguese left behind a church they built on the site of their stronghold, which the Mahri eventually demolished. However, the Portuguese continued to periodically interact with Socotra over the span of a hundred years.

Russian scholar Vitaly Naumkin, who has written extensively about the Middle East, shares that the mountain tribes of Socotra island have preserved the stories and songs of their ancestors' exile to Socotra to atone for their past.

His work suggests that Socotra may have been a penal colony during the Portuguese rule. And so, many consider the possibility that some Socotran inhabitants today are descendants of European settlers.

Socotra’s Conversion to Islam

Christian influences on Socotra were in decline by the end of the 16th century. With no clergy on the island, the inhabitants’ religious practices merged fabricated ancient rites with elements of celestial worship.

Then came the period of the reassertion of Mahri sultanate dominance in the history of Socotra Island. Much of the local population of Socotra Island converted Islam. The island does have a presence of Christianity today—but scarcely, and with little known past.

British Rule and Current Socotra Island

The declining Mahri rule in 1835 led to Socotra Island coming under control of the British Empire. The British planned to establish a coaling station there—but abandoned the island and instead established their colony at Aden in 1838. As a result, Socotra returned to the control of the Mahri.

In 1886, the Mahra Sultanate of Socotra and Qishn was the first in the region to sign a formal treaty with Britain. By the mid-20th century, the Mahri sultans had settled on Socotra but did not join the Federation of South Arabia during the 1960s.

And we come to the beginnings of modern Socotra Island, which became a part of South Yemen in 1967—later integrating into the newly unified Republic of Yemen in 1990.

What’s In a Name: Divulging More Socotra Island History

Socotra Island originally had a name by its Indian inhabitants: Dvipa Sukhadra (meaning: Isle of Felicity in Sanskrit). During the Greek occupation, the ancient Sanskrit name was translated into the settlers’ language—hence the name Dioscorida, which you will find in the scientific terms for many unique must-see Socotran plants. The modern version of this name is the one we now call Socotra!

Of course, you will find many theories regarding the name Socotra and its Greek version. Some believe that the name comes from the island's trade history. At the same time, geographer Yaqut Al-Hamawi suggests that the island’s name has local words 'Souk' (market) and 'Qatira' (drop).

Expand Your Knowledge of Socotra Island with a Tour!

Nothing better than a trip to this beautiful destination to satisfy your curiosity about the history of Socotra Island. We’re the local guides who can plan an informative and adventurous trip for you! Call Socotra Specialty Tours at +971 50 850 4432 or message us to know more about upcoming tours on the island.