Relic Towns in Kilifi County
Mambrui: The 12th Century Dying Town
Mambrui is the last major town before heading to northeastern Kenya via Garsen 95 km away, or further north to Mkowe 192 km away. With a thin population of just 4,000, the high-sounding Mambrui is a mysteriously empty area, ghost-like, lacking anything to commend it in civilization, or prospects thereof. Places are abandoned for all sorts of reasons – economic collapse, regime change, sickness, war and natural disaster – but at Mambrui fate and bad fortunes led to its slack.
At first glance it’s a challenging conjecture to imagine Mambrui was once relevant. A successful trading post during the 12th and 13th century, based on the artifacts unearthed here. Despite the minacious creeping sand dunes, the sleepy fishing village was also a major destination for Islamic pilgrims and scholars. It still hosts Quran schools. Mambrui’s golden age was the 15th Century. It was built by Arab slave traders. Even so, Mambrui has always had a deep Swahili cultural heritage, with influences from Arab traders who settled in the area centuries beforehand.
The long-standing Arab settlement was reconfirmed in 2010, when key sites in three locations were excavated around Qubba Mosque, and they could be dated back to 12th century. A small pitted brass coin excavated in 2014 near the Qubba Mosque, by a Kenya-China joint team of researchers, indicated Chinese presence in this region to as early as 1400; 100 years before the Portuguese arrived. On all accounts, the Chinese early presence along the East Africa Coast in undeniable.
By the same token, Qubba Mosque is one of the earliest mosques along the coast of Kenya, the oldest being the Mandhry Mosque, built in 1570, and which is still in operation. Mosques are always the centres or monuments in a Muslim settlement, therefore, to find a mosque becomes an effective way to find a large settlement. Indeed, “the Chinese authors during the Dynasties of Sung (960-1279) and the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) were familiar with East Africa, dubbed Tsang-pat. They actively traded in gold, ivory, and skins, along coastal towns including Mambrui.
Today, Mambrui is home to little travelled ancient ruins, including old mosques and tombs that date back to the medieval period, when it was an important trading post along the East African coast. The town’s architecture, traditions, and lifestyle reflect this rich history. One of the most striking natural features nearby Mambrui are the sand dunes that provide a dramatic and picturesque landscape.
Historic towns around the world offer a glimpse into the past, preserving architecture, culture, and stories from different eras. In Kenya, some of the oldest towns are found along the coast, where medieval trade put on the map long before developments in the hinterland. Among these is Lamu town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Swahili architecture and cultural traditions.
Index of Relic & Historic Towns Around Kenya
Baringo County - Tambach, Homa Bay County - Old Kendu Bay Town, Isiolo County - Isiolo Town, Garba Tula, Kilifi County - Old Town Takaungu, Mambrui, Kwale County - Old Town Vanga, Vumba Kuu, Kwale, Lamu County - Lamu Old Town, Witu, Shela, Faza, Manda, Mandera County - El Wak, Migori County - Awendo-Sori, Mombasa County - Old Town Mombasa, Nyandarua County - Njabini town, Samburu County - Archer's Post, Tana River County - Old Town Kipini, Wajir County - Old Town Wajir
Touring Kilifi County offers a delightful blend of coastal beauty, lovely beaches, cultural richness, natural wonders, and fascinating ancient ruins. Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, historical sites, or vibrant cultural experiences – or a combination, Kilifi promises a memorable and enriching travel experience.
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Explore Places Nearby Old Town Mambrui
A Guide to Kilifi County
A Summa Digest of Kilifi
About Kilifi Way Back When
95 Destinations in Kilifi County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shimo la Tewa Prison, Mtwapa Creek, Mtwapa Ruins, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant, Jumba la Mtwana, Kikambala Beach, Vipingo Mosque Ruins, Kinuni Ruins, Kuruwitu Conservancy, Neem Tree House, Vipingo Ridge, Chasimba Cave, Kilifi Sisal Plantations, Vuma Cliffs, Old Town Takaungu, Takaungu Creek, Kitoka Ruins, Takaungu House, Beneath the Baobab Festival, Kilifi Creek, Kilifi Bridge, Kilifi Boatyard, Distant Relatives Lodge, Mnarani Ruins, Mnarani Snake Park, 3 Degrees South, Kamili House, Mazingira Park, Bofa Beach, Saltys Kitesurfing Bar & Restaurant, Bush Baby Kilifi, Casa Dalton, Panga ya Saidi Cave, River Rare Geo Park, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Mwangea Hills Forest, Watamu Marine National Park, Uyombo Ruins, Rock & Sea Resort, Mida Creek, Sudi Island, Kirepwe Ruins, Watamu Beach, Ocean Sports Watamu, Medina Palms, Hemimways Watamu, A Rocha Eco Lodge & Conservation Centre, Watamu Treehouse, Garoda Beach, Tribe Watersports, Kite House, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Kiburugeni Ruins, Mgangani Ruins, Mida Creek Nature Camp, Gede Ruins, Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Malindi Museum, Henry the Navigator Monument, Malindi Pier, Malindi Pillar Tomb, Malindi Waterfront Park, Portuguese Chapel, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Beach, Ndoro Sculpture Garden, White Elephant Sea & Art Lodge, Malindi Crocodile & Snake Farm, Malindi Marine National Park, Malaika Beach Sunbeds & Restaurant, Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions, Lo Sfizio Coffee Shop, Lennox Art Gallery, Falconry of Kenya, Hanging Gardens, Malindi Golf & Country Club, River Sabaki Delta, Marafa Depression, Dakacha Woodland, Mekatilili wa Menza Site, Mambrui Dunes, Mambrui, Mambrui Tombs, Kibirakani Ruins, Che Shale Hotel Kitesurf Center, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, The Nyika Plateau, Galana Conservancy, Ngala Mausoleum, Rabai Museum, Kaya Kambe Shrine, Thomas Wakefield Memorial Church
Know More About Kilifi County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Kilifi can be split into three zones – the narrow coastal plain, varying in width from 3 kms to 20 km; few coastal hills lying below 30 ms asl, and the Nyika Plateau rising from 100ms to 340 ms asl.
For the greater part of the year, the climate along the coastal plain is pleasurable, though humid. Temperature ranges between 21C and 30C along the coast, and between 30C and 34C further inland.
