Lamu: Oldest Swahili Settlement in East Africa

Lamu’s fishermen fish the traditional way, using small wooden dhows, which they say cannot handle the rough conditions of the open sea, Nov. 25, 2014. (VOA / Hilary Heuler)

Vae Buno Vae has been fishing around Lamu for 35 years, but now he’s afraid fishing as a livelihood is about to vanish, Nov. 26, 2014. (VOA / Hilary Heuler)

Lamu’s historic old harbor, where traditional fishing boats have been jostling for space for centuries, Nov. 25, 2014. (VOA / Hilary Heuler)

The first building of the planned container port, the largest on Africa’s eastern seaboard, due to be built just a few miles from Lamu, Nov. 25, 2014. (VOA / Hilary Heuler)

Acres of mangroves have already been cleared to make way for the new port, and many more will follow, with serious environmental consequence for the area, Nov. 25, 2014. (VOA / Hilary Heuler)

Life in Lamu is much the same as it has been hundreds of years, with donkeys, rather than motor vehicles, providing transport,. Nov. 26, 2014. (VOA / Hilary Heuler)

Lamu’s picturesque harbor area is a magnet for tourists, although locals are afraid the port will keep them away.

UNESCO has declared Lamu’s old town a World Heritage Site for being “the oldest and best preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa”, whose ancient streets date back to the 12th century, Nov. 26, 2014. (VOA / Hilary Heuler)