Tag: manda island

Turtles Hatching

Published on by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

On Manda Island in the Lamu archipelago

Above: Green Turtles hatching on Manda Island – Copyright Maya Mangat

“The turtles are hatching today,” announced an excited Famau Shukri of Lamu Marine Conservation Trust ( LaMCoT) over the phone. With exciting news like this first thing in the morning, l jumped out of bed and raced down the two flights of steps of Amu House, the historical 16th century old house in Lamu. “The turtles are hatching today,” l relayed the news to everyone at breakfast and plans immediately changed to sail to Shela the neighbouring village to Lamu Stone Town to meet up with Shukri.

Continue reading “Turtles Hatching” →

Sand dunes of Shela looking across at Manda Island Copyright Rupi Mangat

Shela’s Splendour

Published on by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published Saturday magazine Nation newspaper 21 October 2017

Above: Sand dunes of Shela looking across at Manda Island – Copyright Rupi Mangat

1960s picture of Shela with the 1829 Friday mosque so prominent - featured on the booklet on Shela ‘Quest for the Past’ an historical guide to Lamu archipelago by Chrysee MacCasler Perry Martin and Esmond Bradley Martin published in 1969.
1960s picture of Shela with the 1829 Friday mosque so prominent – featured on the booklet on Shela ‘Quest for the Past’ an historical guide to Lamu archipelago by Chrysee MacCasler Perry Martin and Esmond Bradley Martin published in 1969.
The 1829 Friday mosque in Shela today - notice the electricity power lines above that are nowhere in the 1960s picture. Copyright Rupi Mangat
The 1829 Friday mosque in Shela today – notice the electricity power lines above that are nowhere in the 1960s picture. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Shela was Lamu’s (town) poorer cousin. Set on the same island of Lamu, l’m reading an interesting account of Shela in ‘Quest for the Past’ an historical guide to Lamu archipelago by Chrysee MacCasler Perry Martin and Esmond Bradley Martin published in 1969. The sultan of Pate sacked Kitau on Manda island in mid-14th century and the people fled to Lamu town as refugees. 200 years later, they asked the Sheikh of Lamu if they could build their own town. He agreed but on condition that no stone building was to be built in Shela.

Continue reading “Shela’s Splendour” →

Beautiful beach by Diamonds on Manda Island opposite Lamu island on Kenya coast Copyright Rupi Mangat

Diamonds on the Beach

Published on by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

On the isle of Manda, a beautiful life

Published 2 September 2017 Saturday magazine Nation newspaper

Above: Beautiful beach by Diamonds on Manda Island opposite Lamu island on Kenya coast. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Diamonds on Manda Island facing the sand dunes of Shela on Lamu island Copyright Rupi Mangat
Diamonds on Manda Island facing the sand dunes of Shela on Lamu island Copyright Rupi Mangat

The ocean tide flows in from the deep sea in the late afternoon putting aside any thought of visiting the little-known fort at the tip of the channel between the isles of Lamu and Manda – unless we want to battle the ocean current. Continue reading “Diamonds on the Beach” →