Lamu Island

　　   　　   　 　    Highlights        Donkeys: Arab merchants not only brought Muslim civilization to the island but also introduced donkeys. Today, Lamu is world-renowned as the “Donkey Island,” where donkeys are the sole mode of transportation. Nearly every household owns several donkeys, which are indispensable companions in daily life.     To preserve the island’s donkey-centric character, the government prohibits the introduction of modern vehicles. There is a donkey hospital on the island that provides free treatment for sick donkeys and cares for orphaned foals. Established with the support of an international donkey welfare organization, the hospital aims to increase human understanding of donkeys’ needs, improve their living conditions, and promote humane treatment so they can work and live normally without unnecessary harm.     Alleys: The alleys of Lamu Island are quite distinctive. In fact, aside from a slightly wider road along the shore, Lamu has almost no proper roads—most are narrow lanes just wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about maneuvering around goods being transported; every 3–5 meters, a household typically sets back part of its frontage to create a recessed area with a row of stone benches, offering a spot for family, friends, or passersby to rest, take shelter, or even nap. Each house’s front door is uniquely designed, with no two alike, and not even a single wall is identical to another. Locals often inlay coral into the walls, both for decorative beauty and to prevent children from drawing graffiti.     Introduction  

　　     Lamu Island is located in the northeastern waters of Kenya. Historically, it was an important stopover; Arabs began settling here in the 9th century, Zheng He’s fleet passed through in the 15th century, and during the 19th-century rule of the Sultanate of Oman, the island flourished through ivory and slave trade. Lamu is the most densely populated island in the Lamu Archipelago, with a current population of 17,000, 99% of whom are Muslim. It’s said that people concentrate here because Lamu is the only island where groundwater can be found without a salty taste. On Pate Island, some descendants of ancient Chinese sailors have settled, with a few exhibiting distinctly Chinese features.     Lamu is a peaceful tropical island where life seems to have changed little over the centuries. Yet its history is as mysterious and captivating as the winding streets of its medieval stone town. The town of Lamu was established in the 14th century following a migration of Swahili people. But the island has welcomed many visitors over time, including Portuguese explorers, Chinese merchants, and Arabs from Oman, all of whom left their mark.     The fusion of Eastern and Western cultures is vividly reflected in Lamu’s architecture. The buildings are a blend of Swahili and Arabic styles, and even homes built by newer white immigrants maintain this aesthetic. As a result, Lamu Town largely retains its ancient appearance.         Dining / Accommodation / Shopping        The island offers everything from luxury hotels to budget guesthouses. Most lodgings are small and have the cozy feel of a family-run inn. Luxury hotels cost around several hundred dollars, while budget accommodations range from 1,000 to 2,000 Kenyan shillings.   　    Transportation        Aside from riding donkeys, walking is the only means of getting around Lamu Island. Fortunately, the narrow, elongated island isn’t very large—it takes about 40 minutes to walk from one end to the other, and around 80 minutes to circle the entire island. While riding a donkey isn’t much faster, it does save energy.    

　　 Mombasa, Kenya