World Heritage Identification Number: 1055
World Heritage since: 2001
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Historic Cities & Urban Areas
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇰🇪 Kenya
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Africa
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A Journey Through Time: The Enchanting Lamu Old Town, Kenya's UNESCO World Heritage Gem
Nestled on the eastern coast of Africa, the picturesque Lamu Old Town stands as a testament to the rich cultural tapestry woven over centuries. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, this ancient Swahili settlement offers a unique glimpse into the history, architecture, and traditions of East Africa.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions. 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. Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ii): The architecture and urban structure of Lamu graphically demonstrate the cultural influences that have come together there over several hundred years from Europe, Arabia, and India, utilizing traditional Swahili techniques to produce a distinct culture.
Criterion (iv): The growth and decline of the seaports on the East African coast and interaction between the Bantu, Arabs, Persians, Indians, and Europeans represents a significant cultural and economic phase in the history of the region which finds its most outstanding expression in Lamu Old Town.
Criterion (vi): Its paramount trading role and its attraction for scholars and teachers gave Lamu an important religious function (such as the annual Maulidi and Lamu cultural festivals) in East and Central Africa. It continues to be a significant centre for education in Islamic and Swahili culture.
Encyclopedia Record: Lamu
Lamu or Lamu Town is a small town on Lamu Island, which in turn is a part of the Lamu Archipelago in Kenya. Situated 341 kilometres (212 mi) by road northeast of Mombasa that ends at Mokowe Jetty, from where the sea channel has to be crossed to reach Lamu Island, it is the headquarter of Lamu County and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Additional Site Details
Area: 15.6 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
(vi) — Directly associated with events or living traditions
Coordinates: -2.284444444 , 40.8525
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© MysteryBee, CC BY-SA 2.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
