Lamu Archipelago

Lamu Archipelago
Map of Kenya showing the islands
Lamu Island Lamu Town †•
Shela
Matondoni
Kipangani
Manda Island Manda Town ‡
Takwa
Manda Airport
Pate Island Faza
Pate Town
--Rulers of Pate
---- Bwana Mkuu
---- Bwana Tamu
---- Fumo Madi
Siyu
Kizingitini
Shanga ‡
Kiwayu Island
† Administrative Centre
Archaeological site
World Heritage Site

The Lamu Archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean close to the northern coast of Kenya, to which it belongs. The islands lie between the towns of Lame and Kiunga, close to the border with Somalia, and is a part of Lamu District.

The largest of the islands are Pate Island, Manda Island and Lamu Island. Smaller islands include Kiwayu, which lies in the Kiunga Marine National Reserve, and Manda Toto. Today the largest town in the archipelago is Lamu Town, on Lamu Island. The town is on the World Heritage List.

The archipelago contains several archaeological/historical sites of great significance, such as Takwa and Manda Town (both on Manda Island) and Shanga (on Pate Island). Some have been partially excavated in later years, shedding important new light on Swahili history and culture.

The islands are reputed to be one of the westernmost ports of call of the great Chinese fleet of Zheng He, or even to be the resting place of a wreck of one of his ships. No direct evidence has yet been discovered of his visit, although it is known that he visited Mombasa, further down the Kenyan coast, in around 1415.

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