Cultural Centres in Lamu

Mosque College of Lamu: The Islamic Centre

Located alongside Masjid Riyadha, the Mosque College of Lamu more proper Islamic Centre offers a beneficial bookroom to further the exercise of knowing backwards the history, application and impact of Islam in Lamu. It has a vast rickle of scripts, many unique, representing Islamic education in East Africa for the past few hundred years, with a lot of the manuscripts dating from 1837 to 1920. The collection is in a state of rapid deterioration, being stored in a broken cupboard exposing the material to harmful climatic affair prevalent in Lamu, of humidity causing fungus and mildew. Insects, too, have caused much damage the scripts.

In 2019, a digitization drive was begun in a bid to preserve these. The Mosque College stands in the middle of a large open space south of Lamu Fort, a space usually packed and filled with dancers during Maulidi. Founded in the late 19th century by Habib Swaleh, it is one of the first continuously functioning Islamic teaching institutions in Eastern Africa. At hand, the date of his death is recorded on his tomb with an Arabic inscription, whose translation reads: “The grave of the distinguished in learning, the knowing of God, Habib Swaleh ibn Habib, Alawi ibn Habib, Abdullah Jamal al-Lail, who died on Saturday, the second Muharram, in the Year 1354. May God have mercy on him, upon his parents and upon the Muslims.”

A visit to the Riyadha Masjid and to the tomb of Habib Swaleh is the main purpose of every pilgrim to Maulidi Festival. At night, hundreds of families sleep inside the mosque and outside it, in a lively coloured atmosphere in the touching alleyways. From its inception to present, the Mosque College of Lamu has drawn students from all over the region and held on to teaching tradition closely linked with like institutions in Yemen and with offshoots elsewhere in East Africa. It runs courses lasting two to five years. Masjid Riyadha is the seat of the academy and holds song sessions three times a week during which an Arabic verse in glorification of the Prophet is sung to the harmony of tambourines. Habib Swaleh was powerful in the unveiling of this new, but controversial, use of music and song in mosques.

That Kenya has a rich cultural diversity needs no introduction. It is an invaluable blessing to the nation. To foster an understanding of this heritage, there are cultural centers around Kenya that provide insights into the tapestry of cultures and traditions in their regions. These centers preserve and celebrate traditional practices and customs amidst the shift towards modernization and globalization.

Index of Cultural Centres in Kenya

Baringo County - Mogotio Equator Center, Bomet County - Kipsigis Oasis Sanctuary Culture , Kaplelach Cultural Centre , Busia County - Kakapel Cultural Centre , Garissa County - Garissa Cultural Centre , Isiolo County - Gotu Cultural Centre , Malka Cultural Centre , Kakamega County - The Nabongo Mumia Centre , Kericho County - Kipsigis Cultural Museum , Kiambu County - Gikuyu Cultural Museum, Kirinyaga County - Thingira Cultural Centre , Lamu County - Swahili House Centre , Mosque College Lamu , House of Habib Swaleh , Machakos County - The Syokimau Cultural Centre, Makueni County - Makueni Cultural Center , Meru County - Murithi Mpuri Cultural Centre , Thiiri Centre , Mombasa County - Swahili Cultural Centre , Little Theatre Club , Bombolulu Cultural Centre , Ngomongo Villages , Muranga County - Mukurwe Wa Nyagathanga , Nairobi County - Bomas of Kenya, Kenya Cultural Centre, The Goethe Institut, Alliance Française, Nakuru County - Bomas of Nakuru, Nandi County - Cheruiyot Ecosystem , Nyamira County - Otenyo Cultural Centre , Samburu County - Umoja Women Village , Tana River County - Tana Delta Cultural Center , Tharaka Nithi County - Ura Gate Meru

Lamu County is one of Kenya’s most unique and enchanting regions, known for its rich Swahili culture, pristine beaches, and UNESCO-listed heritage. Located on the northern coast of Kenya, it consists of a group of islands (Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayu) and a stretch of mainland coastline. Lamu Island in particular is more than just a destination—it’s a living piece of Swahili history and coastal paradise.

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A Guide to Lamu County

A Summa Digest of Lamu

About Lamu Way Back When

70 Destinations in Lamu County , arranged as one would visit these - west, south, north then west - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Delta Dunes Lodge , Lake Moa , Old Town Witu , Witu Forest Reserve , Pangani Swamp, Lake Kiboko , Amu Ranch , Lake Amu, Kipini Conservancy , Lake Kenyatta , Amu Baharini Beach, Kizuke Beach , Lamu (Manda) Port , Red Pepper House , Lamu Island , Matondoni Dau Workshop , Matondoni Ruins , Tusitiri Dhow , Kipungani Ruins , Kizingoni Beach , Old Town Lamu, Lamu World Heritage Sector , Lamu Museum , The Swahili House Museum , German Post Office Museum , Lamu Fort , Lamu Market , Masjid Khoja Ithnasheri , Masjid Riyadha , House of Habib Swaleh , The Mosque College Lamu , Lamu Catholic Church , Tamarind Tree Cafe , Donkey Sanctuary , The Floating Bar , Boat Rides , MaraRaha , Kijani Hotel , Shela Village , Friday Masjid , Forodhani House , Peponi Hotel , Shela Beach , Bahari Restaurant , Fort at Shela , Ras Kitau , Diamond Village , The Maljis , Takwa Ruins , Manda Island , Manda Lodge , Manda Toto , Manda Coral Quarry , Nabahani Ruins , Pate Island , Shanga Ruins , Siyu Fort , Shindamweh, Atu Ruins , Chundwa Ruins , Faza Village , Lamu Monuments , Mangrove Forests , Dodori National Reserve , Kiunga Marine N. Reserve , Kiwayu Island , Ashuwei , Boni Forest National Reserve , Ishakani Ruins , Lamu Festivals

Know More About Lamu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Air Like In Lamu?

Lamu County lies along the Equatorial Climate System, enjoying two rainy seasons and temperatures between 24°C and 30°C year round – Hottest in December & April

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.05?

Lamu is composed of a coastal zone of 65 islands, vast creeks, bays, sand bars and mangrove. Among these, Lamu Island, hosting Lamu Town, is the bussiest. The mainland is flat to undulating.

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