Shujaa Stories: Queens of the Swahili Seas
Discover the legendary women from the 13th -19th Century in Lamu, Kenya.
By National Museums of Kenya
Shujaa Stories
Queens of the Swahili Seas by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
Queens of the Swahili Seas
In the enchanting realm of Lamu, Kenya, during the medieval era, a tapestry of captivating tales weaves together the lives of extraordinary queens.
Whispers of their remarkable stories echoed through the air, shared in hushed tones, for they possessed a mystique that transcended time.
While their names may have faded from the pages of history, their legacies endure, resonating like echoes carried by the ancient sands.
Among them was; Mwana Kupona, Mwana Tau, Rasi ya Mwana, Mwana Masura and Mwana Hadie Famau.
Shujaa Stories: Queens of the Swahili Seas Documentary by shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
Queens of the Swahili Seas documentary
Watch the short documentary that shares the research process the Shujaa Stories team undertook to find and share the stories of the Queens.
The copyright for the artwork is owned by Shujaa Stories.
The Queens of the Swahili Seas is a research project by Shujaa Stories that aims to unearth legendary women from the Kenyan coast, focusing on the Swahili community.
The completion of this project could not have been accomplished without the immense support of:
1. British Council who funded the project.
2. National Museums of Kenya through the Keeper of Coastal Region; Athman Mohammed, Keeper Western Region and project lead researcher Julias Juma Ogega, the Curator of Lamu Museum Sites and Monuments; Mohammed Ali Mwenje, Lamu Fort Librarian; Khadija Issa and a community elder in Lamu; Ahmed Salmin.
3. Shujaa Stories Team: Curator and Illustrator; Martha Shavuya Galavu, Educator; Waithaka Gitau , Writer and Editor; Shani Mutarura, Environmentalist; Sandra Kabeyeka, Videographer; George Gathu and Supporting Editor; Njeri Muchina.
