Mombasa 200152 221028958 2008-06-22T19:04:40Z Julius Sahara 651629 /* Sports */ more info {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = Mombasa |image_skyline = Moon Over Mombasa.jpg |pushpin_map = Kenya |imagesize = 200px |image_caption = Moonlit boats in Mombasa |mapsize = 200px |map_caption = Location of Mombasa |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_type1 = Province |subdivision_type2 = District |subdivision_name = [[Kenya]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Coast Province]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Mombasa District]] |leader_title = [[Mayor]] |leader_name = Shekue Ali Shekue (Served Until 2006) |area_total_km2 = 295 |area_land_km2 = 230 |area_water_km2 = 65 |population_as_of = 1999 |population_urban = 707,400 |population_note = |population_total = 707,400 |population_density_km2 = |timezone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]] |utc_offset = +3 |latd=4 |latm=03 |latNS=S |longd=39 |longm=40 |longEW=E |elevation_m = 50 |footnotes = }} '''Mombasa''' is the second largest [[city]] in [[Kenya]], lying on the [[Indian Ocean]]. It has a major [[Seaport|port]] and an international [[airport]]. The city is the centre of the coastal tourism industry. The original Arabic name is '''Manbasa'''; in [[Swahili]] it is called ''Kisiwa Cha Mvita'' (or Mvita for short), which means "Island of War", due to the many changes in its ownership. The town is also the headquarters of [[Mombasa District]] which, like most other districts in Kenya, is named after its chief town. ==Description== The city has a population of 707,400 and is located on [[Mombasa Island]], which is separated from the mainland by two [[Creek (tidal)|creeks]]; [[Tudor Creek]] and [[Kilindini Harbour]]. The island is connected to the mainland to the north by the [[Nyali Bridge]], to the south by the [[Likoni Ferry]] and to the west by the [[Makupa Causeway]], alongside which runs the [[Uganda Railway]]. The port serves both Kenya and countries of the interior, linking them to the Ocean. The town is served by [[Moi International Airport]], offering flights to many cities around the world. The town is mainly occupied by the [[Muslim]] [[Mijikenda]]/[[Swahili people]]. Over the centuries there have been many immigrants and traders who settled in Mombasa, particularly from [[Persia]] and the [[Middle East]] and [[Indian sub-continent]] who came mainly as traders and skilled craftsmen and even after four or five generations, their descendants continue to contribute highly to the economy of present day Mombasa and Kenya as a whole. Recent immigrants are peoples from the interior of Kenya brought to the area by employment opportunities in the [[tourist industry]]. Traditional dress for the Swahili women is a brightly coloured, printed [[cotton]] sheet called a [[kanga (African garment)|kanga]], which may have inspirational slogans printed on it. Muslim women wear a covering known as a bui bui, that is traditionally black, along with a head covering called a hijaab, and sometimes wear a veil called a nikab, also known as the "ninja". Men wear a type of [[sarong]], which is coloured in bright bands, called a "kikoi". There are several places to visit in Mombasa, including [[Fort Jesus]], built by the Portuguese, and the Old Town, which is by now in bad need of repair but still shows plenty of examples of the old [[Islamic architecture]]. Biashara Street in Mombasa which in Swahili means “Trade Street” is also an old part of the city where the Indian and Arab merchants set up shops and one can now find kangas and kikoys (pl. vikoi) being sold in these small authentic shops. The famous "Light House" is a must to enjoy the native cassava crisps and coconut water during sunset. ==History== [[Image:Woodcarvings.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|[[Wood carving]]s at Mombasa Beach in [[Kenya]].]] The founding of Mombasa is associated with two rulers: [[Mwana Mkisi]] (female) and [[Shehe Mvita]]. According to oral history and medieval commentaries (also based on oral history), Shehe Mvita superseded the dynasty of Mwana Mkisi and established his own town on Mombasa Island. Shehe Mvita is remembered as a Muslim of great learning and so is connected more directly with the present ideals of Swahili culture that people identify with Mombasa. The ancient history associated with Shehe Mvita and the founding of an urban settlement on Mombasa Island is still linked to present-day peoples living in Mombasa. The Thenashara Taifa (or Twelve Nations) Swahili lineages recound this ancient history today and are the keepers of local Swahili traditions. Even though today Mombasa is a very heterogeneous cultural mix, families associated with the Twelve Nations are still considered the original inhabitants of the city. Most of the early information on Mombasa comes from Portuguese chroniclers writing in the sixteenth century. The famous Moroccan scholar and traveller [[Ibn Battuta]] did visit Mombasa in 1331 on his travels on the eastern coast of Africa and made some mention of the city, although he only stayed one night. He noted that the people of Mombasa were Shãfi'i Muslims, "a religious people, trustworthy and righteous. Their mosques are made of wood, expertly built." The exact founding date of the city is unknown, but it has a long history. It must have been already a prosperous trading town in the 12th century, as the Arab geographer Al Idrisi mentions it in 1151. During the pre-modern period Mombasa was an important centre for the trade in spices, gold and ivory. Its trade links reached as far as China and oral historians today can still recall this period of local history. Throughout early modern period Mombasa was a key node in the complex and far reaching Indian Ocean trading networks, its key exports then were [[ivory]], [[millet]], [[sesamum]] and [[coconut]]s. In the late pre-colonial period (late nineteenth century) it was the metropolis of a plantation society, which became dependent on slave labour (sources contradict whether the city was ever an important place for exporting [[slavery|slaves]]) but ivory caravans remained a major source of economic prosperity. The great Chinese fleet of [[Zheng He]] is supposed to have visited Mombasa around 1415. [[Vasco da Gama]] was the first known European to visit Mombasa, receiving a chilly reception in [[1498]]. Two years later, the town was sacked by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]]. In 1502 the [[sultanate]] became independent from [[Kilwa Kisiwani]] as Mvita (in Swahili) or Manbasa (Arabic). Portugal attacked the city again in 1528, and built [[Fort Jesus]] in [[1593]] in an attempt to colonise, from which time it was governed by a [[Captain-major]]. In 1638 it formally became a Portuguese colony (subordinated to [[Goa]], as a stronghold on the route to Portuguese India). In 1698, the town came under suzerainty of the [[Sultanate of Oman]], but it became subordinate to [[Zanzibar]], prompting regular local rebellions. Oman appointed three consecutive Governors (Wali in Arabic, [[Liwali]] in [[Swahili]]): *[[12 December]] [[1698]]–December 1698 Imam Sa`if ibn Sultan *December 1698–1728 Nasr ibn Abdallah al-Mazru`i *1728–[[12 March]] [[1728]] Shaykh Rumba Next, Mombasa returned to Portuguese rule by captains-major Álvaro Caetano de Melo Castro ([[12 March]] [[1728]]–[[21 September]] [[1729]]), then four new Omani Liwali till 1746, when the last of them made it independent again (disputed by Oman), as the first of its recorded Sultans: *1746–1755 `Ali ibn Uthman al-Mazru`i *1755–1773 Masud ibn Naisr al-Mazru`i *1773–1782 Abdallah ibn Muhammad al-Mazru`i *1782–1811 Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Mazru`i (b. 17..–d. 1814) *1812–1823 `Abd Allah ibn Ahmad al-Mazru`i (d. 1823) *1823–1826 Sulayman ibn `Ali al-Mazru`i From [[9 February]] [[1824]] to [[25 July]] [[1826]] there was a British [[protectorate]] over Mombasa, represented by Governors. Omani rule was restored in 1826; seven liwalis where appointed. On [[24 June]] [[1837]] it was nominally [[annexed]] by sultan of [[zanzibar]] and [[muscat]] Sayyid Saeed Bin Sultan with the assistance of Shaikh [[Isa Bin Tarif]] with his tribe [[Original Utub]] [[Al Bin Ali]] <ref> The Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia by John Gordon Lorimer p451 </ref>. [[Isa Bin Tarif]] , Chief of the [[Al Bin Ali]] [[Al Utbi]] Tribe , is a desendant of the [[Original Utub]] who conquered Bahrain <ref> The Precis Of Turkish Expansion On The Arab Littoral Of The Persian Gulf And Hasa And Katif Affairs. By J. A. Saldana; 1904 , I.o. R R/15/1/724 </ref>. [[Fort Jesus]] in Mombasa was named after Shaikh [[Isa Bin Tarif]] . The name [[Jesus]] in Arabic means Isa, therefore it means the Fort of Isa ( [[Isa Bin Tarif]] ). The [[Al Bin Ali]] (the tribe of [[Isa Bin Tarif]] ) were a politically important group that moved backwards and forwards between Qatar and Bahrain, they were the original dominant group of [[Zubara]] area <ref> Arabia's Frontiers: The Story of Britain's Boundary Drawing in the Desert, John C. Wilkinson, p44 </ref>. On [[25 May]] [[1887]], its administration was relinquished to the British East Africa Association (see [[Kenya]]). The sultan formally presented the town in [[1898]] to the [[United Kingdom|British]]. It soon became the capital of the [[British East Africa Protectorate]] and is the sea terminal of the [[Uganda Railway]], which was started in [[1896]]. Many workers were brought in from [[British India]] to build the railway, and the city's fortunes revived. On [[1 July]] [[1895]] it became part of Britain's [[Kenya protectorate]] (the coastal strip nominally under Zanzibari [[sovereignty]]). Mombasa was part of the state of Zanzibar until [[12 December]] [[1963]] when it was [[Cession|ceded]] to be incorporated into the newly independent state of Kenya. On [[November 28]], [[2002]], a [[suicide]] [[car bomb]] exploded at the [[Israel]]i-owned beachfront Paradise Hotel killing three Israelis and ten Kenyans. About 20 minutes earlier, an (unsuccessful) attempt was made to shoot down an [[Arkia Israel Airlines]] [[Boeing 757]] chartered tourist plane taking off from nearby [[Moi International Airport]] using [[surface-to-air missiles]]; nobody was hurt on the plane, which landed safely in [[Tel Aviv]]. The main suspect for both attacks is [[al Qaeda]] (see [[Kenyan hotel bombing]]). == Geography and climate == Being a coastal town, Mombasa is characterised by a flat topography. The town of Mombasa is centered on Mombasa island, but extends to the mainland. The island is separated from mainland by two [[Creek (tidal)|creek]]s, [[Port Reitz]] in south and Tudor Creek in north. Mombasa has a warm, [[Tropics|tropical]] climate. Winter months are slightly warmer than summer. The amount of rainfall depends essentially on season. The rainiest months are April and May, while in January to February the rainfall is minimal.<ref>[http://www.worldweather.org/071/c00520.htm World Weather Information Service: Weather Information for Mombasa]</ref> == Economy == [[Image:MombasaBeach.jpg|thumb|right|Mombasa's North Beach.]] Mombasa is a major trade centre and home to Kenya's only large seaport, the [[Kilindini Harbour]]. "Kilindini" is an old Swahili term that means "deep". The port is so called because the channel is naturally very deep. Kilindini Harbor is an example of a natural geographic phenomenon called a [[ria]], formed millions of years ago when the sea level rose and engulfed a river that was flowing from the mainland. Mombasa is the centre of coastal tourism in Kenya. Mombasa island itself is not a main attraction, although many people visit Old Town and Fort Jesus. North of Mombasa island are Nyali, Kenyatta, Bamburi and Shanzu beaches. South of the town there are Shelly, Tiwi and [[Diani Beach|Diani]] beaches. Several luxury hotels exist on these beaches, while most of cheaper beach hotels are located farther away from the town. Other local industries include an [[oil refinery]] and the [[Bamburi Cement]] factory. ==Transport== The airport of the city is the [[Moi International Airport]]. Mombasa has a railway station and [[Kenya Railways]] runs overnight passenger trains from Mombasa to Nairobi, though the service is less extensive than it used to be. Highways connect Mombasa to capital Nairobi, former Tanzanian capital [[Dar es Salaam]] while northward road link to [[Malindi]] and [[Lamu]]. Within Mombasa, most local people use [[Share taxi#Matatu (Kenya)|Matatus]] (minibuses) to move between villages and Mombasa Island. Mombasa port is the largest in Kenya but there is little or no scheduled passenger service. International cruise ships frequent the port. There is no bridge between Mombasa Island and south coast, instead the distance is served by [[ferry|ferries]] from Kilindini and Mtongwe to [[Likoni]] in south coast. Operating ferries are aged. In 1994 a ferry serving Mtongwe route sank, leaving 270 people perished.<ref>Francis Thoya, [http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/Supplements/wednesday/19112003/story19111.htm "The restless ghosts of Mtongwe"], ''Wednesday'' magazine, [[November 19]], [[2003]].</ref> == Culture == === Music === [[Taarab]] music, which originates from [[Zanzibar]], has a prominent local presence. Recently, hip hop has become popular, especially among the youth. There are also some pop bands who perform in hotels, making music aimed mainly for tourists by mixing African and western sounds. === Sports === [[Kenyan Premier League]] has currently one [[Football (soccer)|football]] team from Mombasa, [[Bandari F.C.]] who play at the [[Mombasa Municipal Stadium]]. Another team, [[Coast Stars]], relegated from the league. The only Mombasa-based team to win the league is [[Feisal FC]], the 1965 champions. There are several cricket teams in Mombasa. One of them is [[Mombasa Sports Club]] (MSC), whose ground was given [[One Day International|ODI]] status in 2006. MSC has also a [[rugby union]] team playing in the [[Kenya Cup]] league, the premier rugby competition in Kenya. Mvita XI men and MSC ladies represent Mombasa in Kenyan field hockey leagues. The [[2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships|2007 World Cross Country Championships]] were held in Mombasa. [[Mombasa Marathon]] is competed annually in Mombasa. The town also hosts the biennial classic edition of [[Safari Rally]] and annually a Kenya National Rally Championship round. ===Gaming=== In the first-person shooter [[Halo 3]], an important story objective "The Portal to the Ark" is located in the future rebuild "New Mombasa". ==Townships/Areas== === Mombasa Island === Kizingo: Considered the prime residential area of Mombasa. The State House & Mombasa Golf Club are in Kizingo. The Aga Khan Academy is an independent school in Kizingo. Kibokoni: Part of Old Town with Swahili architecture. Fort Jesus is in Kibokoni. Makadara: Part of Old Town consisting of a high number of descendants of [[Baluchi]] soldiers who settled within this area before it developed into a town. The name is derived from the Arabic word Qadr-ur-Rahman meaning fate of God. Ganjoni: Primarily residential. Middle class. Tudor: Another middle class residential area with homes and shops. ===Outside Mombasa Island=== '''Nyali''': Also considered a prime and up-market residential area, it is on the mainland north of the island & is linked by the Nyali bridge. It has numerous beach front hotels in the area known as the "North Coast". Nyali has two distinct sections - the posh Old Nyali and the upcoming New Nyali. For many residents, Nyali has now become a self-contained residential area, with a multiplex cinema, shopping malls, banks, schools and post offices. This often eliminates the need for residents to cross the bridge and to go into the congested Mombasa city center. Nyali is home for the Nyali Cinemax complex, the Nyali Golf Club, and some of the most prestigious academic institutions of the Coast Province, examples of which include Oshwal Academy and the Mombasa Academy (both fully-fledged primary and secondary schools) and Tiny Tots Kindergarten (Nyali's oldest and prominent educational institution specialising in early childhood development and education). '''[[Likoni]]''': is a lower class area connected to Mombasa Proper by a ferry. It is south of Mombasa Island and made up of mostly non-Swahili tribes. The ferry was the target of the Likoni Riots of 1997. For more information please see the Human Rights Watch Report "V. CASE STUDY: ARMED POLITICAL VIOLENCE ON THE COAST"<ref>http://www.hrw.org/reports/2002/kenya/Kenya0502-06.htm</ref>. '''Magongo''': is an outlying township 10 minutes northwest of Mombasa Island, situated on the Nairobi road. This fringe community lacks any effective electricity, water or sewer systems, with a general lack of infrastructure. Poverty, lack of sanitation, and unemployment continue to be the greatest issues for the Mikindani Township, which have ensured low health and safety standards for its residents. Poor, lower class housing is widespread, ranging from simple stone, two storey structures to mud and earth homes fitted with corrugated iron roofs. Much of the community works outside of the township, within Mombasa Island itself as there is a lack of employment and industry. There are number of small health clinics, shops, and a few public primary schools: Nazarene primary is one school, which is known in particular as being staffed by a revolving volunteer teacher base from Western, and predominately English speaking nations. This small town that serves as a link between the city and Moi International Airport. Magongo is also home to the Akamba Handicraft Cooperative '''Mikindani and Miritini''': These are outlying townships on the mainland along the Nairobi road. They are built in the heavy industrial sections of Changamwe and mainly accommodate the working class who either work in the industries, the town centre on the Island and the Port at Kilindini harbor. '''Changamwe''': Industrial '''[[Bamburi]]''': also an outlying township (fifteen minutes drive) on the way to the town of Malindi. This is area where a cement factory Bamburi is located. Other notable features in the area are Mijikenda public beach and [[Haller Park]], a wildlife conservatory. '''[[Diani Beach]]''' a beach resort situated over the Likoni Ferry on the South Coast of Mombasa about 1 hour from the airport. This area has numerous hotels,resorts and private upmarket exclusive cottages and 'boutique' hotels, catering for a wide diversity of tastes. Most of the hotels provide a wide choice or activities from daily animation team games to deep sea fishing and scuba diving. Staying in the smaller more exclusive accommodations - allows the tourist to experience this beautiful beach at its best. From this location day trips to Mombasa, Nature reserves, the coral reef, Wasini Island and Charli Island and a wide variety of both natural and cultural interest are easily accessible. ==Twin cities== *Mombasa is a [[Town twinning|sister city]] of: **{{flagicon|USA}} [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]], [[Washington]], [[United States|USA]] **{{flagicon|USA}} [[City & County of Honolulu|Honolulu City and County]], [[Hawaii]], [[United States|USA]]<ref>[http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/Africa/Kenya Online Directory: Kenya, Africa], Sister Cities International</ref>. == See also == [[Ngomongo Villages]] == References == <references/> == External links == {{commonscat|Mombasa}} *[http://www.Visit-Kenya.com Visit Kenya] *[http://www.mombasainfo.com Mombasainfo] * [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Mombasa,Kenya&spn=0.186223,0.324200&t=h&hl=en Google Map] *[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Kenya_native.html WorldStatesmen - Kenya] {{Portuguese overseas empire}} {{coor title dm|4|03|S|39|40|E|region:KE_type:city}} {{First and second-level administrative divisions of Kenya}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Coast Province]] [[Category:Coastal cities]] [[Category:Former British colonies]] [[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]] [[Category:Port cities in Africa]] [[Category:Indian Ocean]] [[Category:Mombasa| ]] <!--Other languages--> [[ar:مومباسا]] [[br:Mombasa]] [[bg:Момбаса]] [[ca:Mombasa]] [[cs:Mombasa]] [[da:Mombasa]] [[de:Mombasa]] [[et:Mombasa]] [[es:Mombasa]] [[eo:Mombasa]] [[fr:Mombasa]] [[gl:Mombasa]] [[id:Mombasa]] [[is:Mombasa]] [[it:Mombasa]] [[he:מומבסה]] [[sw:Mombasa]] [[hu:Mombasa]] [[nl:Mombassa]] [[ja:モンバサ]] [[no:Mombasa]] [[pl:Mombasa]] [[pt:Mombaça (Quênia)]] [[ro:Mombasa]] [[ru:Момбаса]] [[sr:Момбаса]] [[fi:Mombasa]] [[sv:Mombasa]] [[vec:Mombasa]] [[zh:蒙巴萨]]