About Lamu

Lamu, Kenya's oldest living town, was one of the originial Swahili settlements along coastal East Africa. The port of Lamu has existed for at least a thousand years. The town was first attested in writing by an Arab traveller Abu-al-Mahasini who met a Judge from Lamu visiting Mecca in 1441. The town's history is marked by Portuguese invasion beginning in 1506, and later the Omani domination around 1813 (the year of the Battle at Shella). The Portuguese invasion was prompted by the nation's successful mission to control trade along the coast of the Indian Ocean. For considerable time, Portugal had a monopoly in shipping along the East African coast and imposed export taxes on the pre-existing local channels of commerce. In the 1580s, Lamu led a rebellion against the Portugues, prompted by Turkish raids. In 1652, Lamu was assisted by Oman in lifting Portugues control. Lamu's years as an Omani protectorate mark the town's golden age. During this period, Lamu became a center of poetry, politics, arts and crafts as well as the trade.