By Ngumbao Kithi
The infamous Shimoni caves on the Mombasa South Coast are stark reminders of the human trafficking that thrived in Kenya up to the mid-19th Century. But decades later, Shimoni is emerging as an important tourist haven and thriving fishing village.
Coral reef boardwalk
The most fascinating feature in Shimoni and the nearby Wasini Island is the coral reef boardwalk. At a small fee, visitors can take a leisurely walk on it and have a closer look at the fossils.
The boardwalk is managed by local women who use the proceeds to benefit the community. So far, they have put up health centres and other social amenities in Wasini.
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Slave ruins at Shimoni |
Shimoni derives its name from the presence of caves. The Museum reports that the caves were used as places of confinement before shipment to the biggest slave market in Zanzibar.
Slaves shackled to walls
To hinder movement, the slaves had to be shackled and then fastened to metallic hooks attached to the cave walls. These hooks still stand to this day. Excavation in the cave compartment recovered several iron fragments and implements that had a bent front and another long part with perforations. These, it is suspected, may have been used as neck shackles, with the holes used to tie the slaves to the iron hooks.
Vanga, another historic town near Shimoni, was also one of the main transit centres because of its proximity to Pemba near the Kenya-Tanzania border.
Stories abound of the gross mistreatment of the slaves. For instance, shackled slaves would easily be thrown into the shark-infested sea when those enforcing the ban on the trade were pursuing ships or when the sea was unstable.
Other interesting sites
Inhabitants of Lamu served as middlemen between the Arabs and Indians and the African interior. The thriving seaport increased the demand for food. Consequently, rich merchants established plantations using slave labour.
Likewise, other sites and monuments linked to slave trade have become interesting historical sites that attract thousands of tourists. These sites include Fort Jesus (Mombasa), Gede (Malindi), Jumba la Mtwana and Rabai (Kilifi), where freed slaves were settled.
