ERA OF THE EMPIRES- GLOBALISM STIPULATED

 

AS THE TUSKS CONNOTES THE MAIDEN BENEVOLENT BEARERS SO IS MY MEMOIR LIKE THE MATRIACHS AS I TRANSVERSE OLD PURSUITS OF  MY MATRIACHS,A MASTERPIECE TO THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE ME AND WHO COME AFTER ME.CHERISH THEM- SAITABAU CASTRO(Dedication to my grandpa and grandma-pioneer british land surveyor on his tenure in mombasa)

As the old  fort architecture embraces the beach that leads to the ocean front i elope to the hypnotizing waves ashore with the background  ambience of the drummer at the `ndia kuu`(bajun diction of njia for-swahili narrow streets) and the street to forodhani juncture.I love this siesta at the English gardens (does society even observe siestas nowadays or let`s it is more of  a fiesta inclined one). I cannot forget to remember old time settings ,a subliminal and graphical to say propagated by my setting and vicinity.

The diversity reminds me am at the hub of cultures and history so i try not to be caught in the  dogma as i uphold a free thinker mind guided by logic reason and empirical observations.My setting paints a clear depiction of old times in contrast with the new.In this moment i find solace  in the old engulfed in dire admiration and curiosity.

The new travel visa requirement has done it`s fair share of selfishness to this destinations as i mingle with the locals of the old town i can`t help feel the void that fills this place.Overboard to deserted-kind of views of English point marine.From an industry player perspective am ruling out possibilities. `Could it be mass tourism in the south western circuit bearing in mind the great migration is on?'

My staycation has gotten me at pur with the state of everything and for a while i tend to flip the switch of reality to be accommodated in the past.As the monsoon winds blow the dhow billow i visualize vessels sailing to this trajectory , a bustling coastal town afloat which holds a deep history of globalism across the indian ocean.

 

Bearing in mind the quest of adversities via the wild Tsavo from the hinterland ,the local gurus of the bush made it to deliver caravans were of bespoke credibility.On the otherhand the bravehearts of the seas made it a reality for  foreigners on maiden voyages,migrants,merchants and marriages after sojourning from horn of africa,arabian peninsula, persia,  Andalucia(spain), cirassia, egypt,   hydramaut,java,china, india and beyond.

 

Perharps the name Mombasa derived from swahili phrase `mambo sasa' meaning the current happening .This must be a haven of it`s own as it is still is am convinced. some met on rendezvous while other on total coincidence , a new lingo born out of the intermarriages, maritime prowess, new architecture .

NOIR DEPICTION OF MVITA ALIAS MAMBO SASA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As i walk from views of english point from forodhani convinced of a prior flourishing economy,if this walls could talk since they say they have ears am willing to be the highest bidder to discover best kept secrets.I believe in the mantra `look around you and you will find everything you want`, as i soak in admiration of swahili town that gained significant wealth from 9th century .First dhows in East Africa documented around 90 BCE( discused in periplus by greek trading guide written in 1st century BCE as ma`allim provided expertise to cross oceans by calculating routes by stars evidence being legendary PILOT IBN MAAJID 15TH century writings.

The beautifully maintained alleys looking new lead me to old tales that trace lineages of pioneer founders of this old gem. I trace back to the pioneer by the name  Mwana mkisi the maiden matriach and mother of the 12 swahili tribes also known as Thenashara Taifa.

From IBN Battuta of MORROCCO chronicles  to Vasco Da Gama to the Omani`s of The MAZRUIS` who conquered it in support of sister island ZANZIBAR during the sultanate of JAHAZI and ABUSHIRI then came the scottish charter of Joseph Thompson ,Mvita has always been of interest for centuries.

 A trip down memory lane, am now at the famous and legendary built in 1570 stands THE MANDHRY MOSQUE with it`s mono minaret , a gem on it`s own as next to it is the Mandhry well. This was the third mosque to be built in old town and boasts over 425 years of existence.

 

BY SAITABAU CASTRO.

( The writer is a Tourism and wildlife manager, conservationist, Tour operator and professional tour guide. email- dialnpick@gmail.com or call +254707678809 for travel related assistance)