Thousands of holidaymakers throng Lamu Island during the November 12, 2016 Lamu Cultural Festival. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
Preparations for the Lamu annual cultural festival which is expected to host 100,000 to 150,000 guests are underway.This year's event will take place from Wednesday to Saturday.Lamu Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud has said all is set for the annual cultural event that has been held for the last sixteen years, attracting people from all walks of life.Aboud said their key objective is to "showcase Lamu’s beautiful culture to the rest of the world and stimulate the county’s economy which entirely depends on tourism".Despite the cultural aspect, the organisers of the festival said the event also aims at promoting unity and cohesion among the different tribes living in the country, by providing an opportunity for people to gather, interact and just have fun.The county, which is known as the island of festivals, and has its own calendar of events and festivals ranging from Eid-ul-adhar, Lamu fishing competition, Maulid festivals, Lamu art festival, Lamu yoga festival, kite festival and Lamu food festival.Some of the fun activities at the festival will include dhow races, swimming competitions, painting, cultural display of the Swahili people who are known for their accomplished craftsmen and women, as well as a display of traditional skills including wood carving.