Stone Town Styles of East Coast Africa (Paperback)

The coastal region of East Africa has a history that evokes a sense of mythology. It is linked to stories, myths and legends that conjure up images of narrow alleyways, breezy rooftops, magnificent doors and private courtyards; of traders arriving from distant lands by sailing vessels, bringing exotic wares to be exchanged for treasures from the interior. Stone Towns in East Africa are situated along 3000 km of the coast, from southern Somalia to northern Mozambique, and on some of the offshore islands along the Bar-el-Zanj (coast of the blacks) and in the Bahr-el-Zanj (sea of the blacks). The area has been described as forgotten, and surrounded by mystery. Stone towns are to be found all over the world. The name refers to that part of a settlement that was built of more solid material than mud and wattle, and usually denotes the old part of a town. In East Coast Africa there are coastal settlements constructed of fossilized coral limestone obtained from the coral reefs that line the coastal region. They were built by wealthy merchants and plantation owners and are linked by a maritime tradition that dates back over a thousand years. These port-cities are termed stone towns or sometimes old towns. In Zanzibar the capital is named Stone Town. Some of the best remaining examples of the traditional stone towns are to be found on Lamu Island, and Stone Town in Zanzibar is rich in architectural and interior examples of various colonial styles.