Lamu history

Foundation and First Mentions

Lamu is considered the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa. Although the exact date of its foundation is lost in the centuries, historians believe the settlement emerged in the 12th century. The first mentions of the town appear in Arabic chronicles and travelogues of navigators describing flourishing trade ports on the Indian Ocean coast. The active development of stone construction, which formed the modern appearance of the old town, began in the 14th century.

Key Factors of Establishment

Lamu's transformation from a small fishing village into an important city-state was driven by a unique combination of geographical and economic reasons:

• Strategic Location: The island is located at the intersection of important maritime routes. A deep and protected harbour allowed for the reception of large trading vessels (dhows) plying between Africa, Arabia, and India.
• Wind Patterns: Seasonal monsoon winds dictated the trade schedule, making Lamu an ideal place for docking and replenishing supplies before long ocean crossings.
• Natural Resources: The availability of fresh water and mangrove forests provided residents with building materials and opportunities for timber export.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Lamu was built on international trade. Merchants exported ivory, mangrove poles, and tortoise shells, receiving textiles, spices, and porcelain from the East in return. This constant interaction formed the unique Swahili culture — a fusion of African traditions with Arab, Persian, and Indian influences.

The architectural style of the town, which originated during this period, is distinguished by the use of coral stone and limestone. Narrow streets, designed to create shade and coolness, along with massive carved doors, became the hallmark of the city, symbolizing the wealth and status of its early inhabitants.

Major Historical Milestones

• 14th Century (c. 1370): The beginning of the active construction of stone mosques and residential houses, laying the foundation for the architectural appearance of the old town.
• 1441: One of the first written mentions of a ruler of Lamu appears in the works of the Arab historian Al-Maqrizi.
• 1506: The Portuguese fleet under the command of Tristão da Cunha arrives at the archipelago, establishing control over maritime trade.
• 1698: Omani Arabs expel the Portuguese from the Swahili coast, and the city comes under the patronage of the Omani Sultanate.
• 18th — Early 19th Centuries: The "Golden Age" of Lamu, characterized by an unprecedented flourishing of crafts, poetry, literature, and the construction of luxurious mansions.
• 1813: The famous Battle of Shela, during which the people of Lamu defeated the forces of Mombasa and Pate, securing their leadership in the region.
• 1821: Completion of the massive Lamu Fort, initiated by Sultan Said bin Sultan to house a garrison.
• Late 19th Century: Habib Salih founds the Riyadha religious college, turning the city into a vital centre of Islamic education in East Africa.
• 1895: The territory becomes part of the British East Africa Protectorate, changing the political structure of governance.
• 1907: The official abolition of slavery on the coast leads to a transformation of the city's economy, which previously depended on plantations.
• 1963: Lamu becomes part of the newly independent Republic of Kenya.
• 1970: Opening of the Lamu Museum, which became an important institution for preserving the cultural heritage of the archipelago.
• 2001: Lamu Old Town is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list as a unique monument of the Swahili civilization.

Milestones of Lamu's Development and Transformation

The history of Lamu is a journey from a trading port to a guardian of Swahili traditions. Each of the events listed below radically changed the economic structure, architectural appearance, or cultural role of the city.

• Formation of the Stone Town (14th–15th Centuries)
  The transition from wooden architecture to construction using coral limestone was an urban planning revolution. It was during this period that the unique network of narrow winding streets and multi-story houses, ensuring shade and coolness, was laid out, defining Lamu's architectural look for centuries to come.
• Establishment of Omani Influence (Late 17th Century)
  The expulsion of the Portuguese and the transition under the protectorate of Oman opened an era of stability. This gave impetus to the development of international trade and led to strengthened Arab influence in culture, clothing, and cuisine, finally shaping the Swahili identity.
• "Golden Age" of Trade (18th — Mid-19th Century)
  The economic peak of the city's development. Lamu became a key exporter of ivory, mangrove timber, and oilseeds. Accumulated wealth allowed the local nobility to build luxurious mansions with courtyards and famous carved doors, which are the city's calling card today.
• Construction of Lamu Fort (1813–1821)
  The erection of a massive fortification after the victory in the Battle of Shela changed the urban layout. The fort became not only a military guarantor of security but also a new civic centre: the main town square, Mkunguni, formed around it, becoming a place for gatherings and trade.
• Spiritual Renaissance (Late 19th Century)
  The founding of the academy at the Riyadha Mosque by Habib Salih turned the trading city into a religious centre for East Africa. This event changed Lamu's cultural calendar, making the annual Maulid festival a major event attracting pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
• Economic Isolation (Early 20th Century)
  The abolition of slavery and the construction of the railway in Mombasa (bypassing Lamu) led to the decline of the traditional economy. This stagnation, paradoxically, played the role of a preservative: the lack of funds for modernization saved the historic buildings from demolition and redevelopment in a modern style.
• Awarding of UNESCO Status (2001)
  The inclusion of the old town in the World Heritage list marked a turn towards a tourism economy. This attracted funds for the restoration of monuments and created new jobs, turning cultural heritage into the region's main economic asset.

Urban Structure and Uniqueness

The architectural appearance of Lamu represents a benchmark example of a Swahili settlement, preserved in an almost unchanged state. Unlike European cities, the change of eras here was reflected not in the alternation of global styles (such as Baroque or Classicism), but in the evolution of local building traditions under the influence of trading partners from Arabia and India.

The layout of the city is subject to the climate and Islamic traditions of privacy. Narrow winding streets are designed so that the high stone walls of the houses create constant shade and channel the sea breeze deep into the neighbourhoods. The absence of wide avenues is due to the fact that the city was never designed for wheeled transport; donkeys and pedestrians have remained the main means of movement here for centuries.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

• Classical Swahili Style (18th — Early 19th Centuries): Lamu's "Golden Age". Buildings of this period were erected from coral stone and lime mortar. Characteristic features: flat roofs, massive walls, absence of windows on the ground floors (for protection and coolness), and internal courtyards. Interiors were decorated with intricate plasterwork vidaka (wall niches), and entrances with monumental carved doors.
• Omani Style (Early 19th Century): With the strengthening influence of the Omani Sultanate, elements of fortification and monumentality entered the architecture. This style is stricter and more functional, oriented towards defence and the demonstration of power.
• Indian and Colonial Style (Late 19th — Early 20th Centuries): With the arrival of the British and Indian merchants, the façade of the city facing the sea changed. Buildings appeared with open verandas, balustrades, columns, and pitched tiled roofs, creating a contrast with the traditional flat construction in the depth of the island.

Iconic Buildings that Shaped the City

The architectural fabric of Lamu is heterogeneous and contains several dominants marking different stages of development:

• Lamu Fort (1813–1821): The central structure of the city. A massive fortress with corner towers, built in a utilitarian military style. It served as a prison for a long time, and now serves as a community centre and museum.
• Riyadha Mosque (Early 20th Century): A unique example of religious architecture. Unlike old Swahili mosques, which did not have minarets, this building possesses a domed minaret inspired by the architecture of Hadhramaut (Yemen), symbolizing the city's international ties.
• Seafront: The face of the city, formed in the colonial era. Former administrative buildings and mansions of wealthy merchants are located here, combining Swahili elements with Indian Gujarati style.
• Traditional Stone Houses: Residential mansions in the depths of the old town (for example, the Lamu House Museum). They are the main carriers of the island's architectural code: multi-story, with a rainwater collection system and clear zoning of space into public and private areas.

Notable Figures of Lamu

• Mwana Kupona binti Msham
  Poetess and author of classical Swahili literature (19th Century)
  One of the most famous women in the history of East African literature. She lived in Lamu and wrote the famous poem "Utendi wa Mwana Kupona" ("The Book of Mwana Kupona") — an instruction to her daughter on worldly wisdom, etiquette, and the duties of a wife. This work is considered a masterpiece of Swahili poetry and an important historical source on the daily life of that era. The house where she lived has been preserved in the old town to this day.
• Habib Salih bin Alawi
  Religious reformer and founder of the Riyadha Mosque (1853–1936)
  Arrived in Lamu from the Comoros Islands and became a key figure in the spiritual life of the city. He founded the Riyadha Mosque and college, transforming Lamu into a vital centre of Islamic education in East Africa. Habib Salih also established the annual Maulid festival, which still attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists, being the main cultural event of the archipelago.
• Muhammad Kijuma
  Poet, musician, calligrapher, and scribe (1855–1945)
  Known as the "Socrates of Lamu". Kijuma was an outstanding polymath and master of arts: he created unique carved doors, played traditional instruments, and preserved ancient manuscripts. He played an invaluable role in transmitting Swahili cultural heritage to Western scholars, helping to translate and interpret classical texts.
• Mwana Hadie Famau
  Spiritual leader and educator (16th Century)
  Revered as the "Saint of Lamu". Mwana Hadie was known for her deep religiosity and struggle for the rights of women and children. She organized education for women, which was rare for that time, and created a network of female students spreading knowledge throughout the archipelago. Her tomb in Lamu remains a place of visitation and respect for locals.
• Fumo Madi ibn Abi Bakr
  Sultan of Pate and initiator of the Lamu Fort construction (Early 19th Century)
  Although Fumo Madi was the ruler of the neighbouring Sultanate of Pate, his influence on the appearance of Lamu is undeniable. It was he who began the construction of the massive Lamu Fort on the seafront in 1813 to strengthen his power in the region. The Sultan's death stopped the construction, but the fort, completed later, became a central element of the city's defence and public life for centuries.
• Ustadh Mahmoud Mau
  Contemporary poet and Imam (born 1952)
  A prominent modern cultural figure of Lamu, continuing the traditions of classical Swahili poetry. His poems, written in Arabic script (Ajami), touch upon current social problems of society. He is a living guardian of the Kiamu literary language (the Lamu dialect) and a connecting link between ancient traditions and modernity.