KENYA: Fun and feast engulf Lamu island during cultural weekend aimed at boosting Kenya's tourism

Record ID: 362753

  • Title: KENYA: Fun and feast engulf Lamu island during cultural weekend aimed at boosting Kenya's tourism
  • Date: 16th August 2003
  • Summary: DONKEY RACE WINNER OF THE DONKEY RACE GREETING FANS (L!1) LAMU, KENYA (AUGUST 17, 2003) (REUTERS) KENYA'S MINISTER OF GENDER AND CULTURE, NAJIB BALALA (SOUNDBITE ) (English) KENYA'S MINISTER OF GENDER AND CULTURE NAJIB BALALA SAYING: "The Lamu cultural festival is unique, it has a history of culture that is over thousands of years old and a heritage that needs to be pr
  • Embargoed: 31st August 2003 13:00
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  • Location: LAMU, KENYA
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Travel / Tourism
  • Reuters ID: LVAB0YELNB8JOLRFMSUSJWQS1OM6
  • Story Text: Fun and feast engulfed Lamu Island during a cultural weekend aimed at boosting Kenya's tourism.
    Lamu archipelago is situated off the Kenyan Indian Ocean coastline. For years the island harboured traders sailing from as far as the Arabian Persian Gulf, and Portugal, leaving a legacy that shaped the language and lifestyle of the local Bantu people. As a result, the Swahili culture as it is known today was born.
    Combined with the conservative Swahili culture, Lamu has since December 2001, been recognised by UNESCO as a preserve. The traditional carved brass doors, a heritage of the Persian Gulf, and the unique coral architecture are some of the historical structures that have led to Lamu being designated as a world heritage site.
    The Kenyan government has as a result taken advantage of this by organising special weekends of fun and feast, aimed at boosting Kenya's troubled tourism.
    A three-day festival dubbed the Lamu Cultural Festival - in the archipelago - saw thousands of people from diverse backgrounds join in the festivities. The people of Lamu held street parties and celebrations, and participated in various traditional events, like this dance where men take up 'arms' and show-case their masculinity a sign that they are competent enough to defend their homesteads.
    The island boasts of only one Government car, which no one really sees - and numerous donkeys, which are their fastest means of travel. At the festival, donkey owners had a chance to show off how fast their donkeys could run - a popular event as owners tried to prove to nearly 73,000 other residents, whose donkey was the best in town.
    "The Lamu cultural festival is unique, it has a history of culture that is over thousands of years old and a heritage that needs to be protected. It's a life history that we have in Lamu, but other festivals talk about the past only.
    This is the continuous livelihood of the people here is the culture and they tend to benefit form this culture" said the Gender and Culture Minister, Najib Balala, who had a chance to participate in some of the cultural events.
    "The purpose of this cultural festival is not just a celebration and it is a one-off celebration, it is the sensitisation of the people to understand that hey have a value that they need to preserve and protect, as well as to appreciate the modern society and the contemporary culture that is coming into this country,"he added.
    Lamu's status of being a world heritage site could be a silver lining, which could draw tourists to a country, which has suffered bad publicity twice from terrorism - in 1998 and 2002.
    Kenya's efforts in making sure that the Island is not forgotten, could be rewarded by thousands of tourists who just enjoy the cultural values of the island.
    Dhows - another spectacular means of transport for the Islanders are also popular. A dhow ride is a good enough way to see impressive mangrove bushes which grow on the Island.
    A ban on the harvest of mangrove - traditionally used to build and support walls and roofs - has angered many Lamu residents, and the wear and tear of their houses is visible.
    "The ban on mangrove harvesting should be lifted, that way people can go back to their normal way of live. I don't think there is much to talk about the issue that's all we need," said a Lamu resident.
    The festival also provides local craftsmen to show off their skills. A case in hand are Mohammed Omar, and his partner, who enjoy the presence of tourists and locals watching their work.
    It his hoped that the cultural festival will boost the country's tourism.
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