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Cottage Industries in Lamu

Matondoni Dau Workshop: The Boats of Lamu

Visitors to Lamu ought to have as an object of their trip, in public areas, the pursuance of a casual hobby to better understand boats, the primary mode of conveyance in this backwater archipelago of the Indian Ocean. The variations, interesting to observe in spitting distance, is generally of: mtepe, dau, jahazi and mashua. Of the vessels of Swahili sewn boats, the iconic mtepe and the humble dau are etched in folktales of the great civilizations of antiquity and are as old as the first kin to live here. Mentions to the presence of sewn boats in the western Indian Ocean, especially in the vicinity of the East African coast, were propitiously mentioned in ‘Periplus of the Erythraean Sea’ in the middle of the 1st century CE.

The mtepe (pl. mitepe), described aptly as a broad and shallow vessel coming to a point at both ends, with a long projecting prow, forward raking mast, and a large square mat sail, is the earliest known design of sailing vessel used by the Swahili. It has probably been written about more than any other boat on the Swahili coast. “The reason for all this attention is that the mtepe, or rather a modified version of it known in the literature as the dau la mtepe, was the last sewn boat to be made and sailed by Swahili speakers. This was in the 1930s”. The two classes of mitepe, utangu and mtepe, differ in shape and design: The front of the mtepe is shaped like a camel’s neck, while that of the utangu is shaped like the neck of a horse.

But both have a hull of planks sewn together with coir, often assembled without nails, and caulked between the planks with thickset fish oil. Whilst the dau la mtepe is usually described as an inferior latter-day revision of the true mtepe, it turns out that the Swahili dau (pl. madau) has a much more eminent linguistic pedigree. Not only does the dau have a claim to be considered the quintessential Swahili boat, but its name is also the source of Anglo-Indian “dhow”, and must be one of the earliest Swahili words to have entered the English language, perhaps even the first. There are many types of daus, depending on size and function.

The largest ocean-going vessel is correctly known as the jahazi, often crowed as the dau, in clear error, which may be no more than just an outsider’s curious and quirky reference to the modern sailing dhow. What’s more, the name dau was and is used to refer to many types of sailing craft including the mtepe and the jahazi. The shapes of the jahazi differ, but one analogous facet is that they usually have a wooden ‘eye’ attached to each side of the boat or bow for protection against evil spirits, yet, this could not be said to unique with the jahazi as many other boats spot the eye emblem. One problem with identification of a jahazi is how small it must be to be known as a kijahazi or mtepe. Mashua refers to a class of vessels, usually open boats, built from planks with a pointed bow and stern.

Smaller boats too drift in the waters. Any dugout boat other than a ngalawa is referred to as a mtumbwi, and has no rudder. The shipwrights, following an expert occupation that traces its roots to before the recorded history of Lamu, belong chiefly to the Bajuni tribe native to Lamu. The Bajuni have held on to the ancient skill of boat building at a site christened Dau Workshop. The intricate and tough knack of building boats, much like the ornate carvings on the doors, is fascinating to observe. The workshop is found in Matondoni Village, reachable either via a 1.5 km path linking it to Lamu Town, or via a short boat ride from Lamu Town, Shela, or Manda Island. Here you’ll get a deep lesson on Lamu’s boats.

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Cottage industries play a vital role in Kenya’s economy, particularly in rural areas where they provide employment and preserve traditional skills. These small-scale, home-based enterprises are diverse and contribute significantly to local economies. Cottage industries In Kenya are diverse and integral to the cultural and economic fabric. For the travellers, these offer colourful and friendly markets.

Index of Cottage Industries in Kenya



Embu County - Ancient Mbeere Terraces, Kakamega County - Ilesi Pottery Centre, Rosterman Mines, Kisii County - Tabaka Soapstone, Kwale County - Lima Self Help Group, Lamu County - Matondoni Boat Workshop, Manda Coral Mining, Machakos County - The Masaku Flea & Curio Market, Wamunyu Handicraft Society, Makueni County - Makueni Fruit Plant, Makindu Handicrafts, Migori County - Macalder Mines, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus Curio, The Bombolulu Workshop, Akamba Handicraft Society, Nairobi County - Masai Market, Utamaduni Craft Centre, Narok County - Kikoy Market, Vihiga County - Kichutu Gold Mine, Givavei Artisans, Obida Ombima Mill, Wajir County - Wajir Livestock Market, West Pokot County - Alale Gold Mines

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outlook

Lamu County is one of Kenya’s most unique and enchanting regions, known for its rich Swahili culture, pristine beaches, and UNESCO-listed heritage. Located on the northern coast of Kenya, it consists of a group of islands (Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayu) and a stretch of mainland coastline. Lamu Island in particular is more than just a destination—it’s a living piece of Swahili history and coastal paradise.

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A Guide to Lamu County



A Summa Digest of Lamu

About Lamu Way Back When

70 Destinations in Lamu County, arranged as one would visit these - west, south, north then west - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Delta Dunes Lodge, Lake Moa, Old Town Witu, Witu Forest Reserve, Pangani Swamp, Lake Kiboko, Amu Ranch, Lake Amu, Kipini Conservancy, Lake Kenyatta, Amu Baharini Beach, Kizuke Beach, Lamu (Manda) Port, Red Pepper House, Lamu Island, Matondoni Dau Workshop, Matondoni Ruins, Tusitiri Dhow, Kipungani Ruins, Kizingoni Beach, Old Town Lamu, Lamu World Heritage Sector, Lamu Museum, The Swahili House Museum, German Post Office Museum, Lamu Fort, Lamu Market, Masjid Khoja Ithnasheri, Masjid Riyadha, House of Habib Swaleh, The Mosque College Lamu, Lamu Catholic Church, Tamarind Tree Cafe, Donkey Sanctuary, The Floating Bar, Boat Rides, MaraRaha, Kijani Hotel, Shela Village, Friday Masjid, Forodhani House, Peponi Hotel, Shela Beach, Bahari Restaurant, Fort at Shela, Ras Kitau, Diamond Village, The Maljis, Takwa Ruins, Manda Island, Manda Lodge, Manda Toto, Manda Coral Quarry, Nabahani Ruins, Pate Island, Shanga Ruins, Siyu Fort, Shindamweh, Atu Ruins, Chundwa Ruins, Faza Village, Lamu Monuments, Mangrove Forests, Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine N. Reserve, Kiwayu Island, Ashuwei, Boni Forest National Reserve, Ishakani Ruins, Lamu Festivals

Know More About Lamu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

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