Holiday Homes in Lamu, Kenya

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Maulidi

There is more to it than you expect coming to Africa on a holiday. The
different festivals and events on Lamu Island will show you the diversity of the local culture.

Islam plays an important role in Swahili culture and Lamu has a reputation for the yearly celebration of the Maulidi Festival. Celebrating the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, it is held during the third month of the Muslim calendar –between February and April. This version of the Maulidi, unique in East Africa, is believed to have been developed in Lamu by the Holy Habib Swaleh by the end of the 19th century. Swaleh was an Arab who reformed the religious rituals of the festival and became famous for the highly artistic performance of the verses of the Koran that has nowadays a certain influence on Swahili poetry. Since Habib Swaleh’s times, the importance of music as a constituent of the religious ritual has increased continually.

Today, thousends of pilgrims from the Kenyan mainland and the Arabian world come to Lamu to listen to the religious recitals and attend the colourful performance of dancers and musicians from various ethnic groups. On the final day of the celebrations, a procession heads down to the tomb of Habib Swaleh.

Lamu Cultural Festival

Another highlight in the cultural life of Lamu is the Cultural Festival, usually held in the last week of November. The purpose of this festival is to promote the Swahili heritage and preserve the local culture of the islands. Founded in 2001, it is supported by various international embassies and private sponsors. The festival is very popular and the agenda reflects the richness of Swahili culture. Readings and performances by storytellers express the old skills in Swahili poetry.  On the main square, there are plenty of musical performances. All the traditional dances (ngoma) from the islands of the archipelago are put into one single venue in the streets of Lamu Town.

During the festivities, the magic of the past turns alive. Traditional displays like dhow building, henna painting, fish trap making, palm weaving and bao games are shown.
The donkey races along the Lamu seafront and the dhow races are thrilling and a feast for everyone. It’s fascinating to watch the various types of dhows: the bigger one Jahazi, the smaller Mashua or the fast and indeed most elegant Mozambique dhow. The dhow regattas are a big attraction and certainly the highlight of the festival.

Lamu´s 1st annual Painters Festival 1st - 15th Feb 2011

Some of the finest painters from Germany, the Netherlands and East Africa have been invited to Kenya to celebrate Lamu´s traditional culture and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape through their artwork. European realist and impressionist styles will mirror the essence of this traditionally islamic island and coastal Swahili life, a reminder of Lamu´s value as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Exhibitions in Baitil Aman Hotel, Shela and Lamu Fort: www.lamupaintersfestival.org

Artistic Hat Competition

Lamu people are very enthusiastic about all kind of competitions. Mostly they do swimming competitions or the classic Tag Of War, donkey races or the legendary dhow competitions. On March 20th, 2010 an artistic competition was hold at Peponi beach about the design of funny hats from used materials. Follow the link and watch the talents of Lamu people: www.shela-hat-contest.com

New Year’s Eve in Shela

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Shela is not exactly a festival, but it feels pretty much the same. The village is full of people and everywhere there is a party. The Muslims commemorate the end of the year with various and colourful weddings and visitors are warmly welcomed to join as guests.  After the lively New Year’s Eve, the Peponi Hotel hosts a very popular dhow race on January 1st, which, under the tropical sky, is definitely a perfect start into your new year.