Every year, Lamu, a historic Swahili port town off Kenya’s northern coast, comes alive with the Lamu Maulidi Festival—a celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. nlike maulidi celebrations elsewhere, Lamu’s festival fuses culture, pilgrimage, and ceremony in a carnival-like atmosphere. Founded in the 19th century by scholar al-Habib Swaleh, the festival blends Islamic ritual with Swahili culture, featuring Qur’an readings, poetic eulogies, and traditional Swahili dances such as kirumbizi, mdurenge, and goma. The Lamu Maulidi Festival balances reverence with joyous festivities—from dhow races and henna art to calligraphy competitions and culinary feasts—creating a unique, hybrid experience centered on a religious observance.
The Conversation
