Historic Mosque in Mombasa

Mazrui (Graveyard) Cemetery: Rulers 1741 to 1837

The Mazrui Cemetery is found at the corner of Ndia Kuu and Nkurumah Roads with its gate locked with a padlock set back to the right hand side. It belongs to the Mazrui family, native to the Rustaq region of Oman, who ruled Mombasa in the 18 th century. In 1698, after the Portuguese were ousted from power by Omani Arabs, a member of the Mazrui family was appointed as governor for Mombasa.

Though at first just governors, soon the Mazrui became practically independent. Between the end of the Shirazi dynasty and the beginning of Mazrui hegemony, Mombasa had been governed by an uneasy condominium administered by the Sheikhs of Malindi and the Portuguese Captains of Mombasa (1593–1631), by the Captains of Mombasa alone (1632–1698), and by various representatives of the Imam of Muscat (1698–1735) with a brief reversion to Portuguese control in 1728–1729. From 1698, the Mazrui family through fourteen Mazrui clans came to be represented in East Africa until 1837 when they were dethroned by Seyyid Said. During the Mazrui era Mombasa grew into a predominantly Muslim settlement.

To unite the people of Mombasa, the Mazrui mediated between the two major Swahili sections. Their efforts, including the granting of considerable autonomy to each of them, managed to bring some peace between them. Outsiders’ attacks on the city of Mombasa helped consolidate the Nine Tribes with the Three Tribes and draw them closer, yet bridging the clan or tribal gap between them required 150 years and a foreign dynasty. Active conflicts and ultimate reconciliations between the two main sections of the Twelve Tribes were common in their lengthy history.

There were many armed clashes between the tribes and in one the Three Tribes conspired with one of the Mijikenda tribes, Duruma, with whom they maintained a patron-client relationship, as they also did with the Digo to restore Mazrui rule after it was disrupted by the assassination of the local Mazrui ruler. This murder was committed by agents of the new Omani dynasty in Zanzibar, the Busaidi, with the collaboration of members of the Nine Tribes confederation – The Taifa Tisa.

As it so happened, despite their role mediator role, the Mazrui often sided with the Three Tribes: the “wazir”, or local subordinate ruler, always chosen from a descent line in Kilindini Taifa; Three Tribes block. Because of the ties between the Mazrui and the Three Tribes, the Nine Tribes were often at odds with the Mazrui rulers. Even so, Mazrui rule lasted over 150 years, continuing well into the 19 th century. Mombasa enjoyed a period of power and influence unrivaled since the Shirazi dynasty – a migrants group from the Persian Gulf and southern Arabia who, in the second half of the 12 th century, had migrated southward to the Lamu archipelago, further on to Pemba, Mafia, the Comoro Islands, and to Kilwa, where by the end of the 12 th century had founded a strong, active dynasty. During the 15 th century, the Shirazi house continued to rule in Malindi, Mombasa, Kilwa, Zanzibar and Pemba.

The heroic Mazrui Dynasty came to an end following several rapid changes in rulers and considerable intrigue among the Mazrui. The Mazrui conflict eventuated in an alienation of the Three Tribes from the Mazrui and the cooperation of this section in a conspiracy plot that brought Mombasa and its domains under the Omani ruler of Zanzibar and Muscat, the Busaidi sultan, Seyyid Said, in 1837.

The final struggle between the Mazrui and the forces of Said led to the burning of Kilindini Town. Instead of rebuilding where they had been, the Three Tribes decided to establish themselves in their own area of Mvita, that is, Mombasa proper, adjacent to the Nine Tribes area, to form what is now famously known as Old Town Mombasa. This provided the basic geographic division of the area, with the Three Tribes section called Kibokoni and the Nine Tribes section called Mjua Kale. In 1895, it came under British rule, which, while under authority of the sultan, explicitly put all legal governing power directly in the hands of British.

The proclamation coincided with a succession dispute among the Mazrui who had been relocated by the Busaidi to Takaunga – north of Mombasa. The Mombasa Swahili got involved in this dispute on the side of the Mazrui group opposing the intervention of the British, and some members of the Mombasa community, including the Nine Tribes tamim and his son and the sheikh of one of the Three Tribes, joined the rebels in armed hostilities against the British E.A Company.

Kenya has a rich tapestry of legends and heroes that reflect its diverse cultures and historical narratives. Among these is Mekatilili wa Menza, the lionized Giriama elder and prophetess who led here people on a resistance against British colonial rule in the early 20th century. These legends and heroes highlight the diversity of Kenya’s heritage and the resilience of her people in the face of challenges.

Index of Kenyan Legends & Heroes

Homa Bay County - Nyamgondho Wuod Ombare , Gor Mahia , Kajiado County - Laibon Mbatian, Kakamega County - Nabongo Mumia, Kilifi County - Mekatilili wa Menza , Kisumu County - Luanda Wa Magere, Kwale County - Mwaozi Tumbe , Lamu County - Gasara Winn, Mwana Kupona Binti Msham, Mwana Tau, Mwana Hadie Famau, Mwana Masura, Mombasa County - The Mazrui , Muranga County - Karuri Wa Gakure , Wangu Wa Makeri , Nandi County - Koitalel Arap Samoei , Nyamira County - Chief Otenyo Nyamaterere , Nyeri County - Mugo Wa Kibiro, Taita Taveta County - Mwangeka Wa Malowa , Tana River County - Fumo Liyongo , Turkana County - Nayeche the Jie Heroine

Well-famous for its rich Swahili culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife – acclaimed as one of the top destinations in Kenya – Mombasa County is home to Mombasa City, Kenya’s second-largest city and a primary port town that has been a key trade center for centuries. Mombasa County is more than just beaches—it’s a cultural melting pot with history, adventure, and guaranteed coastal vibes.

You Are Here: Mazrui (Graveyard) Cemetery

Where to Next?

Explore Destinations Nearby Mazrui (Graveyard) Cemetery

A Guide to Mombasa County

A Summa Digest of Mombasa

About Mombasa Way Back When

80 Destinations in Mombasa County , arranged as one would visit these - south, north then east - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Arab Rifle's Monument , Buli Monument , Fort Jesus Curio Shop , Camel Joint, Old Town Mombasa , Fort Jesus Museum I World Heritage Site , Mombasa Butterfly House , Santo Antonio de Tanna , Swahili Cultural Center , Sanaa Gallery , Old Port Mombasa , Leven House I Steps , Forodhani Restaurant , The Mandhry Mosque , Burhani Mosque , Tulia Backpackers , Bahdala Mosque , Mazrui Cemetery , Old Law Courts , Treasury Square , Africa Hotel , Kizingo BBQ, St. Joseph's Fort , Ras Serani Lighthouse , Kizingo War Camp , Mombasa Golf Club , Mama Ngina Waterfront Park , Shelly Beach , The Likoni Floating Bridge , Mbaraki Creek, Mombasa Yatch Club , Mbaraki Pillar , The Mombasa Mbaraki Cemetery , The Little Theatre Club , Kilindini Harbour , The Mombasa Memorial Church , The Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral , Lord Shiva Temple , The Old Mombasa Railway Station , Railways Park , Mombasa African Memorial , Mombasa’s Tusks , Fort Makupa , Kibarani Recreation Park , Akamba Handicraft Shop , Manyimbo War Cemetery , Tudor Water Sports Marina , Nyali Bridge , ACK Emmanuel , The Kengeleni Monument , Bahari Beach Resort , Tamarind Dhow Cruise , Krapf Memorial Heritage Park , Kenyatta Public Beach , Bombolulu Workshop , Haller Park , Mombasa Butterfly Pavilion , Bamburi Rifle Range , Mombasa Go-Kart , Suli Suli Fishing , Nguuni Nature Sanctuary , Mamba Village , Nyali Golf & Country Club , Wild Waters , Nyali Shopping Mall , Mombasa Marine Park I Reserve , Ngomongo Village , Shimo la Tewa Site , The Moorings , La Marina Restaurant

Know More About Mombasa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.01?

Mombasa County can be split into 3 zones: 1. Coastal plain, covering parts the Island; 2. The hilly areas rising gently from 45 ms to 132 ms asl in the west; and 3. The Indian Ocean and the shoreline.

What’s The Air Like In Mombasa?

May is generally the wettest month, then April and June. Average temperatures are always high, rarely falling below 24 o C across the year.

Know More About Mombasa County…

Bri