Pomp and colour as hundreds attend Lamu's Faza Island first cultural festival
Boni women perform a traditional dance during the Faza Cultural Festival on June 6, 2016. It was the first such festival to be held outside the Lamu Cultural Festival that is held annually in Lamu Old Town. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Normally, the annual Lamu cultural festival is held in the Lamu Old Town, which is a Unesco world heritage site.
- None has so far been held on the other islands in the expansive county.
- During the festival there were unique displays of the traditional crafts and foods of the ancient Bajunis.
- Lamu Woman Representative Shakila Abdalla said she wants to make the festival bigger next year.
There was pomp and colour on Monday as hundreds of residents of Faza Island in Lamu County turned up to celebrate the first-ever cultural festival to be held there.
The one-day event was organised by Lamu Woman Representative Shakila Abdalla using the Affirmative Action Social Development Fund and was graced by Deputy National Assembly Majority Leader Naomi Shaban.
The event sought to showcase the ancient traditions and cultural practices of the Bajunis and the Awer (Boni) communities who have lived in Faza for centuries.
Normally, the annual Lamu cultural festival is held in Lamu Old Town, which is a Unesco world heritage site, and none had so far been held on the other islands in the expansive county.
During the festival, there were unique displays of the traditional crafts and foods of the ancient Bajunis.
Some of the displays included different products of the coconut tree.
A majority of those involved in the different activities were women.
EMPOWER WOMEN
According to Ms Abdalla, this was meant to empower them and enable them to promote their culture.
The Lamu woman rep said she wants to make the festival bigger next year.
She said apart from showcasing traditions, the festival will also assist in empowering women who have not been involved in the main Lamu Annual Cultural Festival.
From left, Taveta MP Naomi Shaban and Lamu Woman Rep Shakila Abdalla sample delicacies during the Faza Cultural Festival on June 6, 2016. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Also present was the Taveta MP and Deputy Majority Leader Naomi Shabaan, who said she was happy to witness the cultural event.
There was also henna painting, a variety of Swahili foods, Bao game and traditional dances performed by both men and women from various local communities.
HELP YOUNG GENERATION
Speaking to the Nation, Batuli Mohamed, a craftswoman aged 70, said she has been making ropes from coconut waste for the past 40 years using the traditional method.
She said the festival will help the new generation understand their culture and origin.
“The festival provides a chance for us to display our traditional expertise of making items and to enable the young generation to learn their culture,’’ said Mrs Batuli.
Faza is one of the more than 10 islands in Lamu East Sub-County.
Many of the residents depend on fishing and farming.
