The Swahili Coast

I’ve spent the last few days on the Indian Ocean on the coast of East Africa.  More specifically I visited Lamu (Kenya) and Zanzibar (Tanzania).  While I do love perfect white sand beaches, warm sun and boat rides, I’m digging the culture more.

The Swahili coast is the result of ancient trade routes between Africa, Arabia and India.  What resulted was a mixed people, Language and culture that is now known as Swahili.  These towns are filled with Blacks, Arabs, Indians, Christians, Muslims, Rastas and every sort of mixture of those identities possible.

The Swahilis also live in these paradise islands.  They were once strategic points for trade and agriculture, because of their ease of access, but today they are mostly geared for fishing and tourism.  The towns remain untouched and walking through the narrow passages in “Stone Town” one could easily think they are living in the 1700s!

And as with almost every African culture I’ve come into contact with, the people here are great.  Friendly, easy going people who are living a nice island paradise life.  While the Rastas do throw in the Jamaican “ya mon,”  most people’s tag-line is “Hakuna Matata”  (no problem, we’re free).

And my favorite part… FISH! I haven’t eaten good seafood for over a year in land-locked Rwanda, so needless to say, the fresh-catch seafood combined with the amazing Swahili spices has me in heaven.

This is the mighty “Zeitum” the dhow (Swahili sailboat) that I took a day tour for some fishing and beach relaxing.  I didn’t catch any fish, but the captain did and we had fresh caught barbequed fish on the beach.

Hand-carved doorframe from stonetown: Lamu

The seafood spread in Zanzibar.  A street buffet where you choose what you want from the vendor and he cooks it right there on his grill! (The Barracuda was excellent!)

 

Looking out my hotel in Stonetown, Zanzibar.  Small stone streets that aren’t big enough for cars (there aren’t any cars in Lamu anyway!) make for close quarters with every person, moped, donkey or camel that may be passing through!