Lamu Cultural Festival 2012
Since being named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001, Lamu Old Town has held an annual cultural festival, intended to showcase the rich Swahili culture of the Lamu Archipelago and to help preserve the unique art and handicraft of Kenya’s oldest living town.
Events are designed to encourage traditional skills such as henna painting, Swahili poetry, dhow sailing and dance. The donkey race is also a favourite and attracts huge crowds. This year’s turnout to the festival was relatively low due to lingering security concerns, but for those that did attend, the atmosphere was electric.
Here are a few highlights from this year’s Lamu Cultural Festival:
Lamu's older generation of men, content to sit back and observe. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick
Traffic to and from Lamu's Town Square. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick
Group of dancers and drummers perform along the seafront. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick
Panic ensues as the winning dhow from the first race approaches the jetty and everyone wants to get on board. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick
Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Perhaps a testament to the sturdy design of these ancient vessels. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick
Photograph by Neville Sheldrick
After the excitement of the dhow race is over, youngsters continue to dive off the jetty. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
The festival offered an opportunity for young girls to dress up in colourful outfits. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Walking through a busy street. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
At the starting gate. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
And they're off! Photograph by Neville Sheldrick
Late starter, determined to make up the distance. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Beginning of the second dhow race, with the boats still tightly grouped. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Splashing water on the sail to increase wind resistance. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Some of the sails have been upgraded with hand-painted murals. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Boy is helped aboard a boat playing live music by his friend. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
Children from the local, Spanish-run orphanage demonstrating their amazing drumming abilities. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
A group on a nearby dhow dance and cheer on the drummers. Photograph by Neville Sheldrick.
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Great photos!