Regional Museums in Lamu

Swahili House Museum: Centuries Old Heritage

Swahili House Museum is found near Lamu Museum and is visited on consecutive terms with the German Post Office Museum using the same ticket bought at Lamu Museum. Opened on January 8, 1987, the Swahili House Museum was revamped and fitted-out to conserve, display and demonstrate the rich Swahili architecture for visitors to Lamu town. It depicts both the form and function of a typical Swahili home. The old stone-built house of Lamu is a self-contained building housing all living and sleeping areas that a large family and its domestic staff require. It stands on a small plot averaging less than 250 m2 in surface, and except for the internal courtyard, it covers the plot entirely, giving a coverage ratio of over 75% per floor.

Most existing houses in Lamu are double-storeyed, often with an additional pent-house. The ground floor is, by norm, the staff quarters and the first floor contains the rooms of the owner and family. The entrance to the house is through a porch daka about 3 ms wide, raised one to three steps above the level of the street and more often lined with stone seats. The daka has two carved doors, usually double leafed, one leading to the ground floor, the other to the first floor. The door leading to the first floor opens to the staircase which half-way up gives access to a sabule or guest room. This is not a constant feature in all houses; it is sometimes placed at the ground floor, accessible from the daka through a separate external door.

The staircase ends at a covered landing (tekani) overlooking an open rectangular courtyard (kiwanda). This is the nucleus of the house where most of the daytime activities (play and laundry) take place and around which the rest of the spaces are organized. Opposite the tekani is another verandah serving as the family’s work space, attached to which is a bath and toilet. The third side of the kiwanda often has a staircase leading to the pent-house where the kitchen is placed. The other rooms are more private spaces used as bed-spaces divided off by curtains or walls. In larger houses a fourth space, nyumba ya kati, is often also provided. It may lead to an extra room which spans the street in the form of a bridge (wikio).

The regional museums in Kenya offer a fascinating journey through the country’s history and heritage. They look back at ancient civilizations, cultures as they were centuries ago, cottage industries, colonial legacies, and archaeological finding – in specialization or as a combination – to give insights on the past and present.

Index of Regional Museums in Kenya

Baringo County - Kabarnet Museum , Kipsaraman Museum , Biretwo Museum , Busia County - The Kakapel Cultural Center , Elgeyo Marakwet County - Tambach Museum , Homa Bay County - Abasuba Peace Museum , Kajiado County - Olorgesailie Museum, Kericho County - Fort Tenan Prehistoric Site , Kilifi County - The Gede Ruins, Malindi Museum , Rabai Cultural Landscape , Kisumu County - Kisumu Museum, Lamu County - German Post Office , Lamu Museum , Takwa Ruins, Marsabit County - Desert Museum, Koobi Fora Museum, Meru County - Meru Museum , Njuri Ncheke Museum , Migori County - Thimlich Ohinga, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus Museum , Nairobi County - Karen Blixen Museum, Judiciary Museum, Railway Museum, Nairobi National Museum, Nakuru County - Kariandusi Museum, Hyrax Hill Museum, Nandi County - Koitalel Arap Samoei Museum , Narok County - Narok Museum, Nyeri County - Nyeri Museum, Paxtu House, Samburu County - Kenyatta House Maralal , Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Museum , Wajir County - Wajir Museum , West Pokot County - Kapenguria Museum

Privately Run Museums Around Kenya: Rhodia Mann Museum, Treasures of Africa, The Adamson's Museum, Taita Hills Museum , African Heritage House, Rev. Wray Museum , Maa Museum Enashipai Resort, Swahili House Museum Lamu , Museum of Illusions, Kapkatet Kipsigis Cultural Museum , The Gikuyu Museum, Memorial Peace Museum

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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Explore Destinations Nearby Swahili House Museum

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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