Lamu old town
Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili
settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions. Built in coral
stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of
structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and
elaborately carved wooden doors. Lamu has hosted
major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a
significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.