Lamu Cultural Values And Tradition

Removing Shoes

In many places around Lamu, you will have to remove your shoes while entering other peoples’ houses. Shoes are normally left on the entrance and it is considered as disrespect not to remove them. It is very common to see people walking bare feet in town.

Table Manners

The traditional way of eating in Lamu is by sitting down on a mat with legs acrossed. People normally eat using bare hands and it’s common to see them eating from the same plate.

Prayers (Swallah) 5 times a day

Most businesses are closed during prayers. Non Muslims are not allowed to enter the Mosque.

Weddings

Lamu host both christian and muslim weddings. Christians can wed from the church or at DC’s office while the muslim marry using the sharia law either in the mosque or at the Khadi’s office.

Women

Majority of the women in Lamu are muslims. Not many will be seen walking during the day as they are not suppose to be seen by men from outside the family. In this case, you will find a big number of men in many public places.

Cultural Festival

Lamu Cultural festival is the largest celebration of the art and culture of the Lamu people. It’s held every November and draws a big local and international crowd. Events include dhow and donkey races, calligraphy and henna competitions, cultural dances, craft exhibits, a food bazaar and various theatrical performances.

Idd Ul-Fitr

Idd ul Fitr marks the end of Ramadhan (1 month of fasting) and is a religious holiday which is celebrated by many. During this month there is a carnival feeling as the community concentrates on family, good deeds and giving to the poor. There is a fete for the kids in the town square and traditional dance on the seafront.

Maulid

Maulid marks the birth of the Islamic prophet Mohamed. The event is celebrated in the 3 major mosques in town. It’s a month long celebration that climaxes in a 3 days event that attracts Muslim pilgrims from as far as the Comoros and Zanzibar Islands. Each night Maulid is performed in the mosques, there is reciting of poems, singing and drumming, on the final day men and boys parade through the town singing, dancing and playing traditional music.