Lamu Island is located off the northern coast of Kenya, just south of Somalia. It is the site of the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, founded in the 14th century.

Lamu has seen many visitors and influences, including Portuguese explorers, Turkish traders and the Omani Arabs. All left their mark, but Lamu developed its own particular culture, which has ultimately endured, retaining its traditional functions. Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors.

The people of Lamu are great believers in tradition and custom, and this is a strong society built on a respect for the past. Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.I hope these portraits give you a sense of this unique place, which is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I have focused on the people of Lamu - as part of our colorful world in which our common humanity unites us.