Page 51 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 34
P. 51
Art & Culture
A Walk with Satan
Exploring Ancient Lamu Town
By Wanyama Ogutu
he Lamu Tamu (island) has an impressive picturesque landscape for impressionist
artists such as Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Auguste Renoir, and
TCamille Pissarro. It has an astonishing linear perspective of Swahili buildings,
mosques, restaurants, and hotels. On the opposite side is an atmospheric view of the sea with
some varnishing of boats and a forest of mangroves. A crowd of women dressed in brightly
colored buibuis’ and hijabs’ strolls slowly in pairs taking in a low tone. The men are walking
looking up wearing kanzus, vikoi, long-sleeved shirts, and Islamic capes. I disembarked from
the mashua (a traditional large triangular sailboat) and stumbled upon a mischievous one-eyed
boy who was hawking at me. He stuffed his mouth with Gomba (chewing gum), Muguka, and
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