Omani museum opens in Kenya's Lamu Island

MUSCAT: The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) opened a permanent museum exhibition in Lamu Island in the Republic of Kenya.

The permanent museum exhibition, which was opened after renovation, contains historic records, manuscripts and collectibles from the time of the Omani presence in east Africa and the joint history between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kenya.

The renovation work of the museum was carried out in coordination with the embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Kenya and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, Culture and Heritage of Kenya.

The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Peninah Malonza, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, Culture and Heritage of Kenya. She pointed to the deep historical relations and the common civilisational and cultural links bounding the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kenya since antiquity, explaining that the island of Lamu is rich in agriculture and Omanis settled there since the sixteenth century.

The minister emphasised the importance of opening the museum which highlights the history of the Sultanate of Oman and its role in international navigation and trade as well as its cultural role in Kenya and East Africa.

The permanent museum exhibition represents a significant archaeological landmark that plays multiple cultural roles highlighting the Omani presence and influence in the Lamu district of the Republic of Kenya. The museum confirms the deep-rooted relationship between the two countries and consolidates the Omani values that still make their presence felt in East Africa.

Dr Hamad bin Mohammed al Dhawyani, Chairman of the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA), delivered a speech at the opening ceremony saying: “The ceremony embodies the values of love, affection and the civilised treatment of the people Lamu who contributed greatly to making their city civilised and historical. The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kenya maintain deep and firm historic relations and cultural bonds.” The chairman of the NRAA valued the efforts made by the embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Kenya in fostering existing fraternal relations that are based on cooperation in various fields. He added that Africa has witnessed a wave of migrations since the third millennium BC as well as the trade movement via seas and oceans by Omanis. In addition, there were migrations from the African countries to the Kenyan coast that saw the newcomers integrating with the Arab settlers and setting up emirates in different cities.

The renovation project involved restoration to seven museum halls namely: Oman Through Time Hall, Oman’s Maritime Heritage Hall, Man and Community Hall, the Sultans of Al Busaidi Dynasty Hall, the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Hall, Oman’s Modern Renaissance Hall and Omani Presence in East Africa Hall.

The museum exhibition in Lamu Island is aimed at conserving the historic presence and the civilisation of the Sultanate of Oman in East Africa by keeping a large collection of historic records and manuscripts and collectibles featuring the Omani presence in the island. — ONA