Page 55 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 34

Art & Culture

is long. Satan took me through key historic

places on Lamu Island. He furnished me
with insightful information about the Swahili
culture. He guided me through vichochoro

(pathways) which were densely populated
with old Swahili houses, Swahili galleries,
old shops and vibanda (small shops), and the
graveyard of the Sultans. We mingled with
a group of young and old women dressed

in colorful buibuis’ and hijabs. We greeted
old and young men wearing white kanzus
with Islamic caps, a pair of shorts, vikoi, and

sports t-shirts. We stood aside to pave the
way for donkeys carrying luggage. We edged
against vichochoro walls to let a man riding
a donkey pass on a swift. We spotted a pack
of dogs with sympathetic eyes lying on the

Bajuni’s doors. We saw a clowder of cats
perched on the coral stone windows meowing Swahili culture interior wall design
at fishermen with a bundle of fish.

We waved at Mama Korosho and bought
barafu (cool fruit waters) from small girls
calling out barafu sales along the vichochoro.
We refused the offer of Korosho (cashew

nuts) from some beautiful ladies sitting in
the baraza. The Swahili ladies courteously
responded with bursts of laughter throwing

backs up and down they danced ngoma za
vugo (a Swahili dance that shakes a woman’s
back). At one point we watched a teenage
boy and girl flirting in the kichochoro. Satan
whispered that teenagers get married at

a lower age of 13 as long as their parents
approve. Finally, we reached Satan’s home,
another Jumba la Swahili.
Busy street in Lamu Island

ISSUE 34 | FEBRUARY 2025 55