The Beaches Of Kenya

It's History, People's and Culture

Ruth (Sister in Law) and I. Photo taken at Fort Jesus. Look at the Drawings on the Wall. It's all to do with the Portuguese invasion of the coast in the early years.

Beaches of Kenya are superb and have a life of thier own. The history, peoples and even the landscape is somewhat different from the mainland.

History at a Glance:

Tourist records indicate that Mombasa is over 2000 years old.

  • 1505: Invasion and destruction by Portuguee

  • 1528: Further invasion by Portuguese

  • 1593: Fort Jesus built by the Portuguese

  • 1696-98: Fort Jesus seized by Omani Arabs

  • 1800s: British presence on the island. British lease the coastal strip from the Sultan of Zanzibar

  • 1963: Declaration of independence in Kenya. Kenya Coast becomes part of the Republic of Kenya.

Peoples Living On The Beaches of Kenya

Swahili speaking people arrived on the coast over 2000 years ago. Arabs from Arabia and Asia also settled on these beaches and intermarried with the swahili people. Swahili speaking people are pre-dominant in the coast.


There are also other tribes such as Mijikenda and Giriyama. They are part of the bantu tribes. Dancing is one of thier pass times (like all other tribes). As you can see, Baby Stephen is right into the thick of it! Bless him!!

Baby Stephen Goes Dancing With A Giriyama Lady

Back to the coast and their peoples........there are also Spanish, Italians and British people living at the Coast today.

Most of them have invested heavily in the tourism sector and own alot of beach properties. For example, the british own Turtle Bay Beach Club in Watamu.

Language, Religion and Culture

Swahili language is pre-dominantly used in the Coast.Islam is the main religion and has been since the 10th century. Islam has influenced the mode of dressing evident by the local residents.

Women dress in 'buibui' while men wear 'kanzu' - long flowing attire - usually white in color with a cap on the head.

Swahili Proverbs

The swahili people make reference to ancient wisdom and quite often they like to use proverbs. Swahili people tend to wear clothes made out of 'kanga' (picture on the right side) - and they tend to inscribe thier proverbs on it.

Here are some classic ones swahili proverbs.

Akiba haiozi: A reserve will not decay

Asifuye mvuwa imemnyea: He who praises rain has been rained on.

Akili nyingi huondowa maarifa: Great wit drives away wisdom

Asiye kubali kushindwa si mshindani: He who does not admit defeat is not a sportsman

Atangaye na jua hujuwa: He wanders around by day a lot, learns a lot

Asiye kuwapo na lake halipo: If you are absent you lose your share

Avumaye baharini papa kumbe wengi wapo: Shark is the famous one in sea the but they many others

Baada ya dhiki faraja: After hardship comes relief.


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