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Swahili Culture Collection

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: Siyu Fort. The Sultan of Zanzibar in the middle of

Siyu Fort. The Sultan of Zanzibar in the middle of the 19th century built this impressive fort at the end of the mangrove-lined tidal channel leading to Siyu village on Pate Island

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: The eyes of a Lamu woman wearing a traditional black

The eyes of a Lamu woman wearing a traditional black Islamic dress and face veil (known locally as buibui). Situated 150 miles north-northeast of Mombasa, Lamu town dates from the 15th century AD

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: A Lamu man strings the back of a traditional Lamu-style

A Lamu man strings the back of a traditional Lamu-style chair embellished with marquetry. Situated 150 miles north-northeast of Mombasa, Lamu town dates from the 15th century AD

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: A Lamu woman demonstrates the use of the shiraa

A Lamu woman demonstrates the use of the shiraa, a tent-like cloth held up with two sticks, which obscured the face and body of a woman when she ventured outside her home one hundred years ago

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: A Pate farmer tends his tobacco crop among the coral

A Pate farmer tends his tobacco crop among the coral ruins of old Pate town. His Arabian origins are unmistakable. Pate was established by Arabs from Arabia in the 13th century, or possibly earlier

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: An inhabitant of Pate village rides his donkey through

An inhabitant of Pate village rides his donkey through ruins on the outskirts of modern Pate Village. With no roads or motor vehicles on the island

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: The 17th century tomb of Mwenya Bunu among ruins on

The 17th century tomb of Mwenya Bunu among ruins on the outskirts of modern Pate Village. All the buildings in Pate were constructed of coral rag

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: A collection of rusted cannons

A collection of rusted cannons, which once defended the army garrison at Siyu Fort. The Sultan of Zanzibar in the middle of the 19th century built Siyu Fort at the end of the mangrove-lined tidal

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: The waterfront of the old historic town of Faza on

The waterfront of the old historic town of Faza on Pate Island can only be approached by sailing boats at high tide along a tidal inlet lined with mangrove trees

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: At sunrise the fishing fleet sets sail from the sheltered

At sunrise the fishing fleet sets sail from the sheltered, natural harbour of Kisingitini on Pate Island for a days fishing

Background imageSwahili Culture Collection: Lamu women are expert in intricate hand and body designs

Lamu women are expert in intricate hand and body designs using henna and other dyes. Here, a woman with finely decorated hands


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