One Christmas, long ago, we went to Lamu, one of Kenya’s Indian Ocean islands. Our trip there was as peaceful as this image suggests, although the nearby mainland has long been preyed on by gangs of Somali Shifta. This then is an idyll with hidden angles, some of them tragic. But for now, please enjoy these Lamu dhows with their triangular lateen sails in this gentle display of synchronised sailing along the Manda Strait.
You could say that Swahili culture was born of the monsoon winds, from the human drive to trade and of prevailing weather. For two thousand years Arab merchants plied East Africa’s Indian Ocean shores, from Mogadishu (Somalia) to the mouth of the Limpopo River (Mozambique), arriving with the north easterly Kaskazi, departing on the south easterly Kusi. They came in great wooden cargo dhows, bringing dates, frankincense, wheat, dried fish, Persian chests, rugs, silks and jewels which they traded with Bantu farmers in exchange for the treasures of Africa: ivory, leopard skins, rhinoceros horn, ambergris, tortoise shell, mangrove poles and gold.
copyright 2014 Tish Farrell Culture: The Swahili
See also: Christmas on Lamu: Views of a Swahili Community
Daily Post Photo Challenge: Angular
Tish Farrell 
Fascinating….and such a beautiful photograph. Thank you:)
Fascinating insight into Lamu. Thank you, Tish. What an incredible place to visit and experience.
I don’t think there’s anywhere quite like it, Jenny.
Really a stunning photo!
Thank you. It was one lucky shot too.
What a terrific writer you are! The picture is ideally tranquil despite the culture !
Thank you so much for your appreciative comments. Very heartening on a wet and dismal English day.
I was mesmerized by your descriptives !
Actually, that sounds a painful condition. Hopefully not 🙂
Forgot to say. Nice to see you back again, Kathryn.
Thank you Tish 🙂
I love the deep blue sea contrasting the white sails
It’s magic isn’t it. And you see it as scanned too – no fiddling by me.
“This then is an idyll with hidden angles, some of them tragic.” – goes right to the heart when I look at this beautiful and very meditative image, Tish. Lovely post and a great entry for the challenge.
Thank you, Dina.
Fabulous composition Tish – the lateen sails are just perfect.
Thanks, Robin. I just snapped. The scene had already arranged itself. Boxing Day on Lamu – had its own kind of magic.
me like!
Beautiful shot
These are beautiful sails and your photo so vivid as it was only yesterday ;). Did you swim in those waters too?
Swimming in warm seas sounds lovely, especially on a dank old day like today, but no, I didn’t swim there. I’m more of a paddler than a swimmer at the best of times 🙂
Paddling can be very relaxing too 🙂
Beautiful composition Tish. I get a bit lazy looking at everything. Thanks for commenting on mine because I got to see this fantastic shot.
You are most welcome, Mick. Thanks for visiting.
Christmas in Lamu! How good does that sound? (and look!)
Love your new header too, Tish. Hope your festive season is going well. 🙂
Thank you, Jo. So far the festivities are going to plan. How about you? All best wishes to you, whatever you are up to.
Thanks, Tish 🙂 I seem to be eating rather a lot (already!) and socialising, but next week will be cooking and the more serious stuff 😦