Lamu Archipelago

The towering pillar of Mnarani Mosque

in the ancient Swahili village of Shela

on Lamu Island, Kenya

On Sunday afternoon, we arrived on Manda Island within the beautiful Lamu Archipelago on the coast of Kenya for a three day holiday. With its six main islands, surrounded by mangrove forests that grow out of the sea, white sand beaches and tropical waters, Lamu has been called the jewel of Kenya. This was our first journey to this ancient Swahili centre, that dates back to the 7th and 8th centuries when the pre-Arab tribes of the Bajun people established the earliest known settlements. The great stone towns that exist today were cut from the coral reefs by the Arab settlers who established trading ports in Lamu in the 16th century.

A Lamu Dhow Eye

Arabic dhows have been the principle source of transportation along the coast of East Africa for centuries. The small dhows that you see around Lamu are called kijahazi and are used today by fisherman and as local ferries. They are powered by the wind by large triangular sails called a lateens. The hulls, according to local sailors, are often dug out from a large mango tree. Distinctive of Lamu, are a number of interesting ornaments on their dhows from a sky blue nose carving with white scroll work, to the bright "dhow eye" that is suppose to bring luck to the sailor. These dhows eyes are found throughout Lamu as a good luck charm on shops and houses alike.

Shela Village

We stayed our first night in the medieval village of Shela with its wonderful maze-like streets and alleys, along an incredible untouched beach. There are no cars or modern roads in Lamu, donkey or dhow are the only two options for getting around besides hiking and swimming. We had a great time exploring the village and getting to meet some of the locals.

Donkey Riding

A fishing dhow returning to harbour

Walking the beach at sunset

Sunset over beautiful Manda Bay,

Lamu, Kenya