Everything about Lamu totally explained
Lamu town is the largest town on
Lamu Island, which in turn is a part of the
Lamu Archipelago in
Kenya.
Lamu town is also the headquarters of
Lamu District and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History
Lamu, Kenya's oldest living town, was one of the original
Swahili settlements along coastal East Africa. The port of Lamu has existed for at least a thousand years. The town was first attested in writing by an Arab traveller Abu-al-Mahasini who met a Judge from Lamu visiting Mecca in 1441. The town's history is marked by
Portuguese invasion beginning in 1506, and later the
Omani domination around 1813 (the year of the
Battle at Shella). The Portuguese invasion was prompted by the nation's successful mission to control trade along the coast of the Indian Ocean. For considerable time, Portugal had a monopoly in shipping along the East African coast and imposed export taxes on the pre-existing local channels of commerce. In the 1580s, Lamu led a rebellion against the Portuguese, prompted by Turkish raids. In 1652, Lamu was assisted by Oman in lifting Portuguese control. Lamu's years as an Omani protectorate mark the town's
golden age. During this period, Lamu became a center of poetry, politics, arts and crafts as well as the trade.
Economy
Lamu's economy was based on slave trade until abolition in the year 1907. Other traditional exports included ivory, mangrove, turtle shells and rhino horn, which were shipped via the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and India. In addition to the abolition of slavery, construction of the
Uganda Railroad in 1901 (which started from the competing port of
Mombassa) significantly hampered Lamu's economy. Tourism has gradually refuelled the local economy in recent times.
Sights
The town was founded in the
14th century and it contains many fine examples of
Swahili architecture. The old city is inscribed on the
World Heritage List as "the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in
East Africa".
Once a center for the
slave trade, the population of Lamu is ethnically diverse. Lamu was on the main Arabian trading routes, and as a result, the population is largely
Muslim.
Due to the narrowness of the streets, automobiles are not allowed - the city is easily explored by foot, bicycle, or, as many locals favour,
donkey.
There are several
museums, including the
Lamu Museum, home to the island's ceremonial
horn (called
siwa); other museums are dedicated to
Swahili culture and to the local
postal service. Notable buildings in Lamu town include:
- Lamu Fort: Fumo Madi ibn Abi Bakr, the Sultan of Pate, started to build the fort on the seafront, to protect members of his unpopular government. He died in 1809, before the first storey of the fort was completed. The fort was completed by the early 1820´s.
- Mnarani Mosque
- Riyadha Mosque: Habib Salih, a Sharif with family connections to the Hadramaut, Yemen, settled on Lamu in the 1880s, and became a highly respected religious teacher. Habib Salih had great success gathering students around him and in 1900 the Riyadha Mosque was built. He introduced Habshi Maulidi, where his students sang verse passages accompanied by tambourines. After his death in 1935 his sons continued the Madrassa, which became one of the most prestigious centers for Islamic Studies in East Africa. The Mosque is the centre for the Maulidi Festival, which are held every year during the last week of the month of the Prophet´s birth. During this festival pilgrims from Sudan, Congo, Uganda, Zanzibar and Tanzania join the locals to sing the praise of Mohammad.
- Donkey Sanctuary: Since the island has no motorised vehicles, transportation and other heavy work is done with the help of donkeys. There are some 2000-3000 working donkeys on the island. Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen of the The Donkey Sanctuary in England first visited Lamu in 1985. Worried by the conditions for the donkeys, the Sanctuary was opened in 1987.(External Link
) The Sanctuary provides treatment to all donkeys free of charge.
More Photos
Image:LamuPoliticalParade (July 2001).jpg|Political Parade in Lamu. Held in July, 2001
Image:07 StoneHouse Window (June 30 2001).jpg|View From Stone House Hotel Restaurant in Lamu
Further Information
Get more info on 'Lamu'.
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