A Guide To Takwa
Takwa ruins are remains of a thriving 15th and 16th century Swahili trading town before being abandoned in the early 17th century. With its scenic and tranquil waters, it is home to two important mosques: Whitewashed Friday and Wa Deule, which has an intricately carved mihrab dating back to 1848.
The Takwa settlement is situated on the south side of Manda Island, in the Lamu District in the coastal province of Kenya. They are the ruins of a town which was abandoned around the 18th century.
The Takwa site can be easily reached from Lamu town. The ruins were first excavated by James Kirkman in 1951. In 1972 the site was cleared again under the supervision of James de Vere Allen, the Curator of the Lamu Museum.
Takwa was never a large place. It was founded around 1500, and probably abandoned around 1700. Kirkman thought that it was perhaps a place where holy men or religious people retreated. The Great Mosque at Takwa is relatively well preserved. The other structure of importance is the Pillar Tomb, which has an inscription with the date of 1681-1682. It is reported that when Takwa was abandoned, its inhabitants settled just across the bay at Shela on Lamu Island. The Pillar tomb of Takwa is high walled unroofed rectangle with a pillar over six metres high and is located at the east end. The tomb is still considered sacred to the people of Shela who visit the tomb twice a year to pray for rain. The Takwa Ruins were designated a Kenyan National Monument in 1982.
The Great Mosque at Takwa
The mosque is located at the center of the site. Its location reflecting the central place of Islam in the religious and social life of the community. The mosque is characterized by an unusual and striking pillar which rises from the center of its north wall. It is possible that the mosque is located on the site of the tomb of a revered person. The pillar may have been placed on the mosque on commemoration of the burial site. In the north wall or Qibla pointing to the direction of Mecca, is the Mihra, the main focal point of the mosque. The Takwa Mihrab is completely of cut coral construction and its plain lines contrast with the ornate trefoil designs of plasterwork common in the later mosques of the region.
Outside the mosque to the east is a well built conduit and cistern comprising a system for ablutions before prayer. Bordering the exterior of the cistern are the remains of coral foot scrapers used to clean the feet before entering the mosque. A blue and white Portuguese dish of the mid sixteenth century and two earthenware dishes survive on the inside floor of the cistern. From the ablution area, three carged doorways led directly into an eastern anteroom from which access to the main room of the mosque, the Musulla, was gained through another three arched doorway.
How to get to Takwa
The ruins of Takwa are located on the south eastern corner of Manda Island Lamu District in Coast province and is a 30 minute boat ride from Lamu Town.
Takwa Contacts
Attraction Type: Historic Sites, Culture
Category: Ruins, Mosque, Cultural Museum
Region: Coast
City / Town: Lamu
Road / Street: Pate Road
Telephone: +254 20 374 2131, +254 721 308485
Email: takwa@museums.or.ke
Website: http://www.museums.or.ke/content/blogcategory/4/36
Entrance Fee: Yes
More About Kenya
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Kenya Safari
Kenya is the ultimate safari destination, providing travelers with a window into the heart of Africa. But this is not all that Kenya has to offer. Located near the equator, Kenya´s magic lies in the fact that the country encompasses an astounding variety of landscapes and climates, flora and fauna, as well as communities and cultures, home to water sports, a swim with dolphins and adventure.
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Hotels in Kenya vary enormously in price and facilities. Luxury hotels in Kenya offer excellent standards of service and are comparable to the best hotels anywhere in the world. Kenya’s abundance of natural produce, combined with the rich variety of cultures and traditions, has created a great culinary nation.
The fertile volcanic soil of the Rift Valley produces a bounty of fresh vegetables, while the coast is a great source of tropical fruit and fresh seafood. The Kenyan coast is also the home of the world-renowned Swahili cuisine, a blend of Middle Eastern and African cooking with a particular coastal twist.
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Kenya’s culture blends together diverse tribes, traditions, and religions into one beautiful, well-woven tapestry. These traditions complement each other while incorporating the modern influences of globalization – resulting in a vibrant cultural spirit that is uniquely Kenyan. Kenya has over 42 different tribes with different languages and several dialects. Kenyan tourism has made the Maasai and Samburu tribes the most famous because of their long preserved culture.
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Watch a Video of Takwa
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