LAMU CULTURAL FESTIVAL (15-18 November, 2012)
Many of the world’s destinations loudly boast an opportunity for the traveller to “enter another world”. Off the shores of Northern Kenya, the island of Lamu offers this experience in its purest form.
Lamu Old Town is a unique and rare historical living heritage with more than 700 years of continuous settlement.
Since its inscription as a World Heritage Site in 2001, the annual Lamu Cultural Festival has been a celebration of the unique Swahili heritage of the Lamu Archipelago.
Organized by the Lamu Cultural Promotion Group, the three day festival is a showcase of traditional dances, displays of handicraft and competitions on water and land (Swahili poetry, donkey races, dhow races, henna painting), Swahili bridal ceremony and musical performances.
The Lamu Cultural festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience the island’s unspoiled beaches, medieval ambience, architecturally magnificent Old Town, gracious population, and traditions of an enchanted island where history continues to live.
Lamu welcomes you to experience a heritage and traditions that have earned the Island a place in the coveted UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
15
Programme
– 18 November 2012
Thu. 15th
through to Exhibition: Lamu 30 yrs ago Lamu Fort
Sun. 30
with the National Museums of Kenya
09:00
th Nov. by Okoko Ashikoye, photographer– 11.00 School parade From Mkunguni
Students Performance on stage
Seafront
Square along the
16:30
– 18:00 Finals of the Football tournament Twaifu Ground
20:00
– 23:00 Madrasa tul madina Mkunguni square
Kasida from Mombasa
Fri. 16
th 09:00 – 16:00 Traditional displays next to DC’s office
10:00
– 12:00 ‘Smart Solutions for a Green Lamu’ Zahidi Ngumi Hall
Talk and discussion based on the results
Lamu Museum
of a recent field study on energy system
and related environmental issues on Lamu by
Swedish Engineer, Dan-Eric Archer
13:00
– 16:00 Jahazi Race Seafront
Swimming preliminaries
16:00
– 18:00 Dances: Seafront &
Shabwani, Kirumbuzi, Mdurenge dances
Mkunguni square
20:00
– 22:30 Dances: Seafront &
Chama cha Matondoni (Matondoni Village)
Mkunguni square
Uta Dance (Lamu Town), Goma la Barani,
Tari la Ndia (Pate village)
Sat. 17
th 09:00 – 16:00 Traditional displays next to DC’s office
10:00
Museum
– 11:00 Donkey race in front of Lamu
11:00
– 12:00 Canoe Race Seafront
14:00
Swimming final
– 16:00 Mashua Race final Seafront
16:00
– 18:00 Prize giving Mkunguni square
19:00
Food Bazaar (traditional Swahili cuisine) Sunsail Hotel
20:00
– 21:00 Swahili bridal display Lamu Fort
Vugo dance/Traditional outfits show
Dances Mkunguni square
Giriama dance, Pokomo dance
/sea front
Orma dance, Chama cha Matondoni
21:00 - Dawn
Live performances: Mkunguni square
- Lelele Africa
Sun. 18
th 09:00 – 12:00 Traditional displays next to DC’s office
16:00
– 18:00 Dances Seafront/
Goma la Barani, Mdurenge, Kirumbuzi,
Mkunguni square
Uta Dance, Giriama, Orma
21:00
– 23h00 Open Concert Mkunguni square
Lamu Local artists