Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions.
The World Heritage Committee inscribed Lamu Old Town on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.
Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors.
The town has Muslims as most of its population and has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century.
It has become a significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.
The most outstanding expression of Lamu Old Town is its architecture and distinctly unique Swahili culture.
The town of Lamu began life as a 14th-century Swahili settlement, which was influenced by many visitors and influences, including Portuguese explorers, Turkish traders, and the Omani Arabs. All left their mark, but Lamu developed its own particular culture, which has ultimately endured.
Lamu’s narrow streets remain unchanged, and in the markets and squares around the fort life moves at the same pace as it always has.
There are no vehicles on this island, and the donkey and the dhow remain the dominant form of transport.
The people of Lamu are great believers in tradition and custom.
For the traveler, Lamu is a hypnotically exotic experience, made even more enjoyable by the relaxed and welcoming attitudes of the locals.
To visit Lamu is to enter another world, and the visitors find themselves becoming a part of this world/ society.
Life slows down, and long days are spent strolling along the waterfront, exploring the town, or relaxing on the beaches.
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