Known affectionately as Lamu Tamu, the coastal town located on an island in Lamu County is every paradise lover’s dream. But not many know of the meaning behind this idyllic town’s name. As one of the earliest inhabited towns in Kenya, this town’s name harkens back to the occupation of the Arabs and Portuguese. It is widely believed that the name derives from the Arabic word Al-Amu which Arabs referred to the area as. The Portuguese on the other hand called the entire island Lamon.
Another coastal town that draws its nomenclature from Portuguese is sunny Malindi. An equally ancient town in Kilifi County, its name is said to come from the Portuguese word Melinde. Melinde was the supposed name of the harbour where Arab trade flourished during the reign of the Oman and Zanzibar sultanate. Other sources claim that it may also have developed from the Swahili phrase ‘Mali Ndii’ translating to ‘lot of wealth’. With the town attracting a huge amount of tourism investment, the latter definition certainly rings true!
Just south of Malindi is a town whose name’s origin also has two theories. Kilifi is home to the Vuma Cliffs which have breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean. The word cliff is suspected to have morphed into the word Kilifi. Also native to Kilifi is the Neem tree that is otherwise known as Mkilifi. This medicinal tree may have also inspired the town’s unique name.
The types of trees found in an area were fodder for a few coastal town names. In fact, the town Msambweni’s name directly translates to “the land of Msambwe”. This fishing town in Kwale County was well-known for Msambwe – a wild fruit tree indigenous to the area. Today, these trees can be viewed at Mkunguni Beach.
While Kilifi and Msambweni’s names originate from their stunning natural features, other towns in the coastal region have drawn their names from notable historical figures. For example, Voi is the name of a prominent leader called Chief Kivoi. More than 400 years ago in this part of Taita Taveta County, this chief settled near the Voi River and the surrounding area expanded into a hub of trade with a mix of Taita people and Arabs. Interestingly, he is also credited with naming Kenya due to pronouncing the mountain then known as Kirinyaga as “Kiinya”.
Chief Kivoi was not the only chief with a town named after him. Mazeras town has Chief Mazera to thank for its name. The Duruma chief lived where the town is located, and caravan traders swiftly began to refer to the area by the chief’s name.
Duruma influence on the naming of towns extends to another town just north of Mazeras. Mariakani’s one-of-a-kind name evolved from the Duruma word “Mathyakani” or “the place of quivers”. A single quiver was known as a “Thyaka” and at the time, the Sultan presiding over the coastal area had banned weapons from entering Mombasa. Therefore, travellers using the route through Mariakani would leave their weapons there before proceeding. Along the way, weapons such as quivers were necessary to fight off bandits, deter any infighting among travelling groups and even ward off lions! In the same spirit of combat, the town Garsen in Tana River County is said to come from the word Garrison supposedly from the mispronunciation of a British garrison located in the environs.
Do you know any more meanings or history behind coastal towns that we may have missed out on? Please share with us in the comments!
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