Lamu Archipelago, Kenya

The archipelago of Lamu consists of a small group of islands off the east coast of Kenya, 250 km north of Mombasa and 470 km south of Nairobi. The archipelago is made up chiefly of Lamu, Manda, Pate and Kiwayu islands.

The coast that faces the mainland, to the north, is covered with mangrove, while the 12 km of beach extending from Forodhani House to the south-western tip of the island is deserted, lined with coconut palms, bougainvillea and undulating, expansive dunes of pristine white sand.

AN ISLAND TOTALLY PRESERVED

Lamu and Shella, the fishing village where our beach house Forodhani House is located, still offer today examples of what life in the eighteenth century was like. Built of coral stone and mangrove timber, tall houses rise above the narrow streets made of sand. No cars, no scooters, only donkeys and people move around in this maze of tiny streets.

Shella is known as the home of the most beautiful white sandy beaches of the archipelago.

A LOCAL CULTURE THAT IS OPEN AND WELCOMING

Swahili is the culture shared by the people of the East Coast of Africa. The term comes from the plural of the Arabic word sahel ساحل: sahil meaning coast or border. These peoples have diverse backgrounds but share the same characteristics, a Bantu population of African origin with Arab influences and to a lesser extent Persian.

The Archipelagos of Lamu, Zanzibar, the Comoros, Kilwa, the coastal city-state Mombasa, Gede, Malindi, formed a thriving unit Swahili culture, making a living from trading African commodities with domestic and Eastern markets.

It is primarily an urban culture, both African and Muslim, where hospitality and openness are all around. Today, Swahili is spoken by almost all of Eastern and Southern Africa. It is the common link between the peoples of this part of the world who still carry the same values, a warm reception that will never fails to touch ones heart.

As we say here, "Karibu Saana” you are most very welcome!

One of the most interesting aspects of Swahili culture is its architecture, very recognisable and highly refined dating back to the twelfth century and reflecting both Arab and Asian influences. The craftsmanship is equally remarkable.

SWAHILI ARCHITECTURE

Your meandering walks on narrow roads Mkomani lead to large houses built of coral, mosques, Omani style houses along the seafront, picturesque Indian shops, various residences in the main street and even a fortress, whose high niru walls dominate the central square of the old town.

Strolling in Lamu in the labyrinth of alleyways, you will also notice the elegantly carved wooden doors. They hide interiors of an extraordinary level of refinement. In the blind veranda or daka, near the door, the men relax on stone benches or baraza, or chat with friends.

Once through the threshold of the majestic gates, one enters a patio behind which are found a series of long, narrow interior galleries that lead to the most private space of the home, ndani. This unique architectural design is set off with delicate stucco and wall niches that are elegantly and elaborately carved.

The arts in lamu

Seasonal winds brought traders from the Arab World, India, China and Europe - who all participated in a unique exchange of ideas, materials and techniques.

The diversity of arts and crafts of the Lamu archipelago is surprising. It includes interior stucco walls, inlaid and carved chairs, doors, carved beds and chests, beautifully embroidered traditional hats called kofia, woven rugs and unusual pieces of ironwork, including gold and silver jewellery and gold, often adorned with delicate swirls. 

Calligraphy has remained an important art form too.

Boat building has been a tradition in Lamu for many centuries, and it is particularly interesting to watch in the village of Matondoni.

Even today, the master-builders do not build their boats from drawings and are able to construct wooden sailing ships by hand, without the help of modern machines ... or maybe a superb models of a dhow, a poetic memory of this ancestral culture and this wonderful journey.

According to the Organization of World Heritage Cities (http://www.ovpm.org) Lamu dates back to the eighth century AD. The city itself dates from the tenth century with it playing a significant role from the early thirteenth. It was at this time that it became one of the largest cities on the east coast of Africa under the leadership of the local Bantu population and sailors that came from Arabia, the Persian Gulf and the Far East (China and India).

It is this mixture of three cultures Bantu, Arabic and Indian that created the Swahili people and their language: Kiswahili.

In 1506, Tristan da Cunha, Portuguese navigator and conqueror, took the town. The Portuguese were seeking to control the route to India and the spice trade in the Indian Ocean, Lamu was thus a key port.

In 1698, the Omani a significant regional maritime power, drove the Portuguese out of Lamu and the region. In 1840, Sultan Al-Busaidi settled here, also in the village of Shela, and divided his time between Zanzibar which had became the capital, and the archipelago of Lamu and Shella, his favourite residence.

BRITISH PRESENCE TO INDEPENDENCE

After two centuries of Omani rule, the entire east coast of Africa north of Zanzibar was assigned to the Imperial British Company of East Africa. The East African Protectorate was formed. Three years later, Lamu became the district capital.

With Kenyan independence on 12th December 1963 Lamu "became" African again.

Lamu is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 for the preservation of this rich, old, and still extremely vibrant culture.