Lamu Archipelago

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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 Lamu 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.

There are some other accounts that mention Chinese ships of Zheng He's fleet sinking near Lamu Island in Kenya in 1415.[1] Survivors settled on the island and married local women. This has been proven recently by archaeological work on the island that has resulted in the finding of evidence to suggest this connection. Further DNA testing done on some residents show that they indeed have Chinese ancestors.[2][3][4]

References

  1. ↑ Engel & Ramos 2013, p. 163.
  2. ↑ Eliot 1966, p. 11.
  3. ↑ "Kenyan girl with Chinese blood steals limelight". Chinese Embassy in Kenya. Retrieved 3 April 2009. 
  4. ↑ Kristof, Nicholas D. (6 June 1999). "1492: The Prequel". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 April 2009. 

Bibliography

  • Allen, James de Vere: Lamu, with an appendix on Archaeological finds from the region of Lamu by H. Neville Chittick. Nairobi: Kenya National Museums.
  • Eliot, Charles (1966). The East African Protectorate. Routledge. ISBN 0-7146-1661-3. 
  • Engel, Ulf; Ramos, Manuel João (17 May 2013). African Dynamics in a Multipolar World. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-25650-7. 

Views from the Lamu Archipelago

Lamu Island
Manda Island
Pate Island
Kiwayu Island

Coordinates: 2°06′12″S 41°01′14″E / 2.10333°S 41.02056°E / -2.10333; 41.02056


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