Exploring the History of Mombasa: The city that is often referred to as the coastal city of Kenya is Mombasa, which can be described as a city that has a rich history, a unique culture which is influenced by a number of civilizations. There is nothing quite like the busy heart of Mombasa, Kenya, that boasts the Old Town – the ancient part of the city that tells the story of the country’s checkered history. Old Town; it has very tight meandering streets, is home to buildings that date back to the early 16th Century, and hosts active markets this is not just a ‘museum town’ but indeed a melting pot of African, Arab, Persian, Portuguese & Indian culture as reflected in the old town of Mombasa.
The Birth of Mombasa: A Strategic Port
Mombasa has a trading history that goes back to over a thousand years. Located on the Indian Ocean it was strategically placed to act as a bridge between Africa, Middle East and Asia. Greeks followed by Arabs set base in Mombasa and the Arab brought with them the Islamic religion which is deemed crucial in the region today.
Being situated on the confluence of Danube river and Sava river its strategic position was the main reason for various powers to float for it. It was occupied and controlled by the Persians, Portuguese as well as the Omani Arabs who successively left their imprint on the architectural style of the buildings in Mombasa, the customs and traditions of the peoples, as well as the trade relations of Mombasa.
Portuguese Influence and the Construction of Fort Jesus
The ancient city of Mombasa was opened to Europeans in the late 15th century when the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco ‘da Gama’ passed through. As soon as the Portuguese occupied Mombasa the latter was understood to be of crucial significance in terms of naval base and trade stations. They initiated the construction of the massive fortress of Fort Jesus in the year 1593 so as to safeguard their interest and assert their authority.
Mombasa current most famous landmark currently ns listed as a world heritage site is the fort Jesus. Originally made in the form of a man and designed by Italian architect Giovanni Battista Cairati the fort was meant for defence from both land and sea. Through the centuries, the fort has been the theatre of many battles, sieges, and power struggles for the control of Mombasa.
Fort Jesus now remains as an evidence or a symbol of the past eventfulness of the city. The outdoor experience at the Fort involves touching the thick walls and dark corridors as well as viewing a range of artefacts and installations that explain the Mombasa during the Portuguese reign. Visitors can also enjoy breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean – a suggestion of the naval dominance that once operated in these parts.
The Omani Arabs and the Swahili Culture
It was in the year 1698 when long standing fights between the two made the Portuguese to be ousted from Mombasa by the Omani Arabs. The victory of Omani was a new start for the City in which Swahili culture used to have a great potential to develop. As a language, Swahili has advanced elements of African, Arab and Persian together and the people identify with other things such as housings, foods, dressing code and etiquette.
During the early period of Omani occupation, Mombasa developed into commercial center for ivory, spices and slaves. The city became richer, and so did the public buildings – houses and mosques. Old Town of Mombasa is a fine example where the architecture worn in this period can be evidenced in form of wooden doors, carved balconies and coral stone buildings. The streets and the paths in Old Town are hardly wider than those in other medinas in the Arab countries, which gives the place an invigorating feeling of being transferred back in time.
Their Omani rulers have also brought religious and cultural advancement in the place. Most of the mosques that are evident in the Old Town are passions of this era; for instance the Basheikh Mosque. Not only they serve as spiritual institutions but have significant socio-cultural importance being architectural marvels of the period.
The British Colonial Era and Mombasa’s Transformation
In the late nineteenth century, however, Mombasa like most of East Africa fell under British administration. The British were mainly concerned with Mombasa in its role as an export market for commodities from the interior of Africa especially up on the Uganda Railway. Dubbed the ‘Lunatic Line’ because of the difficult conditions of construction, the railway extended from Mombasa and beyond to Lake Victoria and Uganda, thereby establishing the city and its commercial value.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century when the British started colonizing Africa, most African cities, including Mombasa, underwent several transformations. Housing spread out from Old Town and other structures and development occurred. Nonetheless, Old Town retained its commercial and cultural significance as an array of markets, stores, and homes depicted the complex and diverse ethnical background of the Mombasa people.
The British period also came with the abolition of the slave trade which was a major activity in Mombasa at the time. Then, changes of social relations occurred following the abolition of slavery and people of color and their descendants are typical members of the population of the city.
Modern-Day Old Town: Preserving a Heritage
Today, Mombasa’s Old Town is a lively proof of Mombasa’s past of coasting along the sparkling sea. Nevertheless, the area still had many of the same characteristics of historic preservation today as it did then. As we move around the town to this date structures that portray the architectural images of various cultures that dominated the society of Mombasa are evident along the streets.
Walking through Old Town, visitors can explore numerous historical sites, including Walking Old Town, visitors can explore numerous historical sites, including:
– Leven House: This was formerly the British Consulate, but in the period of the slave trade the building was called Leven House and was involved in the stopping of slavery in East Africa. Today it stands as a relic of the historic past and a part of Mombasa.
– Mandhry Mosque: Mandhry Mosque is uniquely Mombasa and one of the oldest mosques in the area built way back in the 16th Century and is a bragging point of how influential Islam is in the region.
Conclusion: A Timeless Journey
But the history of Mombasa Old Town can best be described as a chronological experience. It is therefore possible to explore the city in every corner beginning with the beautifully constructed buildings down to the streets: Swahili port, Portuguese and Omani Arab traders’ contribution and their impact on city and so on the British colonial masters.
For tourist, exploring the Old Town gives the cultural trip of a life time in exploring the history and culture of Mombasa. If you are walking along the narrow lanes and gazing at the elegant carving on the door of any historic building and sitting and having tea in a café then you are actually feeling the history in your wandering path. For anyone planning to visit Mombasa then let me tell you this; Old Town is not just a destination, it is a destination that give the visitor a feel of the past.
