Lamu

Off the coast of northern Kenya is the island of Lamu--Kenya's oldest townand one of the original Swahili settlements along coastal East Africa. Theport of Lamu has existed for at least a thousand years. Traveling to Lamu isa hypnotically exotic experience of entering another world, and visitors findthemselves becoming a part of this magical world. With 300 exquisite, neverbefore- seen images by four of the world's most renowned photographers,the island, its rich culture, architecture, and natural beauty all come to life. A compelling and elegant text by George Abungu, Director-General of theNational Museums of Kenya, provides a context to Lamu's fascinating culturalhistory. Lamu is a place like no other, with a history as mysterious as the windingstreets of its medieval stone town. For those who appreciate the symbioticrelationship between man and nature in the making of a cultural landscape, thetranquility of place, and the rich history of a people, Lamu is considered the jewelof the works of man and nature. The island itself is a beautiful place of rollingdunes and endless beaches, where tiny villages nestle among coconut and mangoplantations and lateen-sailed dhows ply the waters. But Lamu's real attraction isits Old Town. Old Town is one of the places listed by UNESCO in its prestigiousWorld Heritage List due to its Outstanding Universal Value. The town of Lamubegan life as a 14th-century Swahili settlement, but the island has seen manyvisitors and influences since, including Portuguese explorers, Turkish traders,and the Omani Arabs. All left their mark, but helping Lamu to develop its ownparticular culture, which has ultimately endured. Lamu's narrow streets remainunchanged, and in the markets and squares life moves at the same pace as italways has. There are no vehicles on this island, and the donkey and the dhowremain the dominant forms of transport. The people of Lamu are great believersin tradition and custom, and this is a strong society built on a respect for the past.