Lamu Archipelago

The Lamu Archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean close to the northern coast of Kenya, to which it belongs. The islands lie between the towns of Lamu and Kiunga, near the Coast Province. It is a part of Lamu District.

The largest of the islands are Pate Island, Manda Island and Lamu Island. Smaller islands include Kiwayu, which lies in the Kiunga Marine National Reserve, and Manda Toto. Today the largest town in the archipelago is Lamu Town, on Lamu Island. The town is on the World Heritage List.

The archipelago contains several archaeological/historical sites of great significance, such as Takwa and Manda Town (both on Manda Island) and Shanga (on Pate Island). Some have been partially excavated in later years, shedding important new light on Swahili history and culture.

There are some other accounts that mention Chinese ships of Zheng He's fleet sinking near Lamu Island in Kenya in 1415. Survivors settled on the island and married local women. This has been proven recently by archaeological work on the island that has resulted in the finding of evidence to suggest this connection. Further DNA testing done on some residents show that they indeed have Chinese ancestors.

The Mosques of Lamu Archipelago
For centuries, the Swahili coast of East Africa has been a cultural crossroads. The mosques, central to the religious life of the region, bear witness to this rich heritage. Their architecture reflects not only Islamic traditions but also the artistic influences of various trading partners. This is particularly evident in the design of the mihrab, the prayer niche of symbolic importance within a mosque.

The 18th and 19th centuries witnessed a period of significant change on the Swahili coast, particularly in the Lamu archipelago. The rise of Pate as a major political force, challenging Portuguese control of Mombasa, is thought to have been the catalyst for a distinct "new Swahili mihrab" style. This essay examines the development of this unique style, exploring its key features, the influences that shaped it, and prominent examples.

The period was marked by a surge in mosque construction, with 22 mosques built in Lamu town and 12 in Pate between 1750 and 1820. A new style of mihrab (prayer niche) was developed, characterised by two key elements: a pronounced use of stucco for decoration and the adoption of the trilobal arch.

The trilobal arch, a more elaborate design than the broken arch used previously, emerged in the 17th century under the influence of Indian traders. By the late 18th century this form had evolved into a polylobal design. The construction techniques for the mihrab arches involved ashlar blocks of coral bound with mortar, covered with a thick layer of stucco, and topped with pointed arches with a central boss.

Decoration played an important role in the new style. The tympanums, the recessed areas above the arch, continued the tradition of using inlaid ceramics as seen in Pate. However, there was a change in the material used for the central boss, from coral to stucco. The frame of the mihrab itself was decorated with stucco panels with geometric designs. The interior of the mihrab apse was decorated with triangular plaster mouldings, while the semi-dome vault had a fluted surface.

Examples of this style include a Lamu mihrab with an inscription dated 1753, and mihrabs at Simambaya and Utondwe (Tanzania) dated 1796 and 1782 respectively. Interestingly, Omani mosques built during this period showed a strong resemblance to the Swahili models, with bays parallel to the qibla wall and a projecting mihrab. The Omani Simambaya Mosque, built between 1725 and 1765, is an example of this similarity.

A later example, the Swahili Wa Deule mosque at Shela (Lamu), built in 1848 according to an inscription in the mihrab, demonstrates the continued use of the trilobal arch. This particular mihrab was framed by semicircular mouldings and decorated with panels of floral and geometric motifs.

The influence of external factors is also evident in this architectural development. The flowering of this new style finds parallels in Yemeni mosques, particularly in Surat, where mihrabs with finely carved trilobal arches suggest a growing economic relationship with India. The Ndia Kuu Mosque in Mombasa, excavated in 1985, reinforces this external influence. This 17th century mosque, probably used by Indian and Pakistani mercenaries, had a square plan, a small mihrab decorated with Indian-style volutes and blind arcades, and two small pillars flanking the mihrab projection.

In conclusion, the 18th and 19th centuries witnessed a dynamic change in the design of mihrabs within the mosques of the Lamu archipelago. The emergence of Pate, changing political landscapes and external influences from India and Oman all contributed to the development of a distinct 'Lamu style', characterised by the widespread adoption of the trilobal arch and the use of stucco ornamentation.