Lamu banks on festivals to shore up tourist numbers

The coastal town of Lamu is turning to year-round festival to raise its profile and attract visitors.

Lamu Old Town is a unique historical living heritage with more than 700 years of continuous settlement. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2001 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Lamu County Executive for Tourism and Culture, Samia Omar, says the year round festival offers visitors the opportunity to explore the island and discover what makes Lamu unique.

Ms Omar said the festival will continue to be an essential cultural tourism programme of the County Government of Lamu. The calendar of events include Lamu Yoga festival, Lamu food festival, Eid celebrations Jul 17-19 and Lamu Cultural Festival November 26-28. Others are the New Year’s Day, Dhow race January 1, 2016, Maulid Cultural Festival January 4-8, 2016 and the Shella Hat Contest in February 2016.

“We want to make the most of the series of annual events to promote tourism,” she said.

The festivals showcase traditional dances, displays of handicraft and competitions on water and land among them Swahili poetry, donkey races, dhow sailing, henna painting, Swahili bridal ceremonies and musical performances and a chance to enjoy various Swahili dishes.