Swahili Route

02/03/2023

A traditional cup of coffee at the heart of Old Town Mombasa by the Fort Jesus.
Tradition and history with a perfect view
📍Old Town Mombasa.
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21/02/2023

Chicken tikka, mishkaki, chips and naan are a MUST have while visiting the coast.
The sauces are a fusion of Indian and Swahili mixes.
📍Rosina Restaurant, Mkomani, inside Ratna Square, Nyali, Mombasa

19/02/2023

A lazy Sunday relaxing on Lamu furniture with the ocean breeze and sound of waves in the distance.
📍 , Watamu, Kilifi, Kenya
Beautifully captured by .101

12/02/2023

Modern meets traditional. An aromatic coffee brew at Waka Waka island.
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08/02/2023

Madafu: Swahili for young coconut. A popular drink across the Kenyan Coast.

22/08/2022

Foot prints and palm tree shade make a perfect afternoon.
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07/07/2022

HAPPY KISWAHILI DAY. From us to you and your loved ones.
An international day to celebrate a beautiful language that has connected cultures, countries and continents.
Follow to see the beauty of East Africa and beyond. Places touched by Swahili.

07/09/2021

Paradise found.
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📸: .traveljournalist

04/09/2021

Summer playlists on repreat. Stay hyrdated!
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26/08/2021

describes Mombasa Old Town as unique in charactor; a collection of historical buildings dating from the 18th century which combines, African, Arabic and European influences. Many of these buildings still exist, in beautifully carved doors as well as elegantly styled balconies attached to their turn of the century facades. As generations grow and pass along these narrow streets, Old Town preserves the sounds of social chatter, music and beeping horns.

Have you visited this treasure along our ?
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06/08/2021

Fresh, Fresh. Nothing else like it.

One of our team members snapped this pic when out and about in Old Town, Mombasa. Don't forget to tag us in your captures to be featured!
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30/07/2021

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26/07/2021

We've been hearing all kinds of latest news and happenings over the past new months in regards to the state of the world. To us, what matters most and what brightens our day, is the along the Swahili Route. What good news do you have to share with us today?
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14/04/2021

It is integral to our mission to nurture, cultivate, and share the beauty and wealth of culture that spans across the East African coastline. Photos, videos, and blog entries are a huge help in reaching that mission and serving our community.

So, whether you took a snap of smiling faces at the beach, a journal entry recounting a favorite coconut curry dish, or a video clip walking through the bustling markets, the Swahili Route team invites and encourages you to submit your content to us! We would be so excited to feature you on our social platforms and website. In doing so, you are also joining a close-knit and loyal gathering of SR Ambassadors based all across the world.

14/04/2021

Looked up a lot of sunset quotes to pair this picture with but let’s be honest, nothing does the justice. 🌅
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📸: oreo_monkey_photography

10/04/2021

If this doesn’t make you smile, we don’t know what will. 💐 Welcoming you home, with love always from the .
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08/04/2021

Take it easy 🌍🌊
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01/04/2021

Community is a distinct part of Swahili culinary arts. You’ll rarely find the chef alone. Pictured here: Samosa
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25/03/2021

View Diani from above in a microlite! Where sand, sea and sky meet
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23/03/2021

As the sun hits the shimmering plaster synonymous with Swahili architecture, experience a Golden Hour like no other in one of the many private luxury villas dotted across Lamu
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15/03/2021

Come share a cup of traditional 'kahawa' with us. Typical kahawa is a light-coloured, sweet coffee brewed with spices and served street side in small handle-less cups. In Swahili culture, sharing coffee is welcoming and a symbol of friendship.
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📸: .kuyo

13/03/2021

Old Town Beauty
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06/03/2021

What's the one snack that you would take with you when on safari? Ours is spiced cassava crisps
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01/03/2021

All I need are palm trees and a little bit of paradise
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18/02/2021

Hey there! Have a look at our first guide that we have created at Swahili Route on things to do in Diani.

Let us know what your favourtie activity was and if we missed anything out that you loved while exploring this southern gem of the Swahili Route!!

Keep your eyes peeled for more to come...

http://bit.ly/3qzAlzf

Discover Diani, along the southern Swahili Route with its white sandy beaches, adrenaline rushing experiences and hidden gems

02/01/2021

SWAHILI NEW YEAR PT2

DID YOU KNOW that Siku ya Mwaka Procession was held a day before the first day of the year? Just before dawn male adults and all the madrassa children of the town assembled at Ngomeni (Fort Jesus) Driving a sacrificial ox in front, the entire assembly of many hundreds would move off in procession along Ndiya Kuu (the High Street of Mombasa's Old Town) reading aloud portions from the Holy Qur'an with the intention of petitioning God to protect the town throughout the coming year.

It was forbidden to cross the road in front of the procession. The procession in which the bull or cow is led by a rope to Ngomeni (the Portuguese-built fortress) to Kwa Shee Mvita (the area around Shee Mvita's grave in the north) has been discontinued for several years.

The traditional route of the "siku ya mwaka" procession had seven stations. They were, starting from Ngomeni (Fort Jesus)

1. Mandhry mosque.
2. Jeneby (al-Azhar) mosque.
3. Mkanyageni mosque (known as kitovu cha mji or the navel of the old town)
4. Mlango wa papa mosque
5. Mswalani mosque.
6. Kilifi mosque
7. Kwa Shee Mvita.

The first three stations are in the southern half of the Old Town known as Kavani, the moiety which was formerly the home of the three Swahili tribes (Miji mitatu) of Mombasa while the last four stations are in the northern half known as Mji wa kale, the home of the "miji tisa" nine Swahili tribes of Mombasa. At each
station there was a halt during which the adhan ('the call to prayer') was proclaimed.

It was forbidden to cross the I'Oad in front of the procession. The reason for this
prohibition was that some believed the sacrificial cow could drive evil spirits out of the town and so, if someone crossed the animal's path there was the possibility that the
evil spirits would be diverted and enter the person unlucky enough to be in the way.

Fascinating, right? Now that you know, wait till you hear what used to happen during the 1st day of the year!

PART 3 LOADING......

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01/01/2021

2020 has been full of ups and downs. The tourism sector at the Kenyan Coast was majorly affected by the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Most hotels were closed and alot of livelihoods were affected and many were pushed to depression but most stood strong and adjusted to the situation.

As we start 2021 and tourism is back to normalcy at the Kenyan Coast as witnessed during the past holiday season, let us take you back to where Mombasa was way back then.

Let's embrace the beauty of our sandy beaches and the rich Swahili culture we boast of for hundreds and hundreds of years.

We appreciate everyone who has made our cultural journey a success through the last year. We promise to continue this journey together of upholding, embracing and exploring the .

We would love to hear and share all stories and content (Photos, Videos, Journals, Research Papers, Thesis etc) related to the Swahili Culture as we embark to launch our official Swahili Route portal.

Email: [email protected]

It's going to be a good year!

Happy New Year Once again!

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31/12/2020

SWAHILI NEW YEAR PT1

DID YOU KNOW the Swahili solar year pre-dates the introduction of the lunar Islamic calendar to the East African coast, but it is no longer possible to say when the rites and ceremonies of the "siku ya mwaka" evolved, because the people of the East African coast were formerly farmers, fishermen and sailors.

The Swahili solar year continued alongside the Islamic lunar year the latter bearing no relation to the agricultural and nautical seasons. After the arrival of Christian-European missionaries, traders and administrators in Swahili-land in the second half of the nineteenth century the Gregorian calendar supplanted the Hijri calendar in very many respects, and the Swahili calendar in almost all respects.

Central and Southern "Swahili-laruf" the earliest reference to siku ya mwaka in central Swahili-land was made in 1844, in southern Swahili-land the first description, the History of Kilwa kisiwani relates to the years 1847 and 1848.

In central Swahili-land the feast was observed not only in Mombasa, but also in Jomvu K'uu (a Swahili village to the west of Mombasa), Wasini (an island to the south), and on the island of Pemba. There may well have been celebrations elsewhere in the region at Malindi and at Mnarani (Old Kilifi) but, if so, reliable information has not been forthcoming.

It is interesting to note that the observance of
siku ya mwaka was introduced or, possibly, reintroduced at Mtwapa (a Swahili village
to the north of Mombasa) in 1417 AH/AD 1996.

Now You Know! Right?

PART 2 LOADING.....

TUNAWATAKIA MWAKA MPYA WENYE HERI NA FANAKA.



Part Excerpt from YAHYA ALI OMAR (A Swahili Historian)

28/12/2020

The year is about to end and it will be a shame if you're in Mombasa and never stepped foot at the beautiful Nguuni Nature Sanctuary.

Named after 3 hills found here. This is one place you never thought the Kenyan coast could offer because the coast is known to offer white sandy beaches, beautiful beach hotels and all that but not giraffes, ostriches, waterbucks to name just but a few.

This is the perfect place to catch up with family, friends, business colleagues and even do weddings in a very beautiful setting with giraffes in the background.

Nguuni Nature Sanctuary is located only 4 kilometres away from Bamburi Cement Factory in Bamburi off Kiembeni Road.

There are more than 250 species of birds in Nguuni Nature Sanctuary and they have very many nesting areas both in the wetlands and woodlands which constantly change.

This is actually what took you here in the first place. Book a guided environmental tour and see the amazing features of the sanctuary including wild animals and the beautiful water lillies on the wetlands among many other things.

Sunset there, as is the case with most other parts in the Kenyan coast, is at around 6:20 p.m. The one at Nguuni is like a celestial fireball. It almost looks unreal, coupled with the chirping birds who seemed to become more melodic as the sun sets.

as always will keep you in the loop as to where to always enjoy during your stay at the

22/12/2020