By George Orido
This year’s annual Lamu Cultural Festival lived up to its billing, with revellers turning up in their thousands to sample the best of the archipelago’s culture and dishes.
The final day of the event featured music and traditional dances alongside finals of the donkey, dhow and swimming competitions.
The donkey race, one of the event’s main attractions, saw 15-year-old Mohammed Ali emerge winner for the fifth consecutive time.
"I am quite happy to retain the cup and I will invest the cash prize in my education and help my family," said a beaming Mohammed after receiving Sh10,000 cash prize and trophy at the town’s Mkunguni Square, the venue of the event.
Donkey racing is synonymous with Lamu and dates several centuries back.
Another highlight of the final day was the Dhow race where MV Al Gurak emerged victorious in a battle of wits in the windy seas of Lamu Archipelago.
Watched by thousands of singing supporters – some in beach wear with women clad in buibui – the sailers relied on the wind to power the sails.
"Isn’t it amazing how fast the vessels can move and be navigated to desired directions?" posed Najib Balala, Minister for Tourism and patron of the eleven-year-old festival.
The event didn’t lack drama, with some crew talking to the vessels as if to urge them on.
Fans sang old Swahili songs to urge their favourite teams on, with others mocking their competitors.
The A Gurak crew walked away with Sh50,000 as first runners up, while MV Fajra from Mkomani received Sh40,000 for clinching third place.
According to the Chairman of the Lamu Cultural Promotion Group, Ghalib Awi, the fete is usually timed to coincide with high tides that create ideal conditions for the dhow races.
And there was never a dull moment during the event, with the Mkunguni Square being abuzz with music and dance in the afternoons.
Performances featured Muslim Kasida sessions, which is an equivalent of Christian gospel music, as well as Swahili and Mijikenda cultural dances.
Football lovers were also kept busy with face-offs between various coastal clubs.
It was a particularly nostalgic moment for the Spanish Ambassador to Kenya, Javier Hererra, when he presented a trophy to a team named after Real Madrid.
"I come from a country that is the reigning European and world soccer champion, and I am proud to present the winners of the soccer tournament, Real Madrid, with this trophy," he said amid applause.
During the event, Tourism Minister Najib Balala protested against various European countries that have issued travel advisories in the wake of terrorist attacks by Al Shabaab.
"Abductions were not unique to Kenya and our friends should not use this as an excuse to cripple Kenya’s tourism, especially during the high season," he said.
