Mystifying Ruins of Gede

A small Swahili town lays the ruins depicting from the 13^th to 17^th centuries, located in Gedi, a village near the coastal town of Malindi Kenya.

“Ruins of Gede”

Yes, that is what they call it back here in Kenya. “Gede” is a name derived from the Omollo nomadic community from Ethiopia that last settled at the mysterious ruins. The name means precious due to the excavations carried out during the year 1948 – 1958 which later on revealed that Muslims inhabitants traded with people all over the world. The artifacts included beads; Venice and Ming vase from China, an iron lamp from India and scissors from Spain.

Interesting, seems they must have traded with people from different parts of the world Asia, China, and Arabia to name a few. The items excavated are well kept and can be found in a museum within the complex that was opened in the year 2000.

It is believed Gede had a mosque; a palace; tombs and large stone houses built in a complex way far most for their time since it were inclusive with bathrooms, with drains, and overhead basins to flash toilets. We are given the impression that this community was prosperous. The city streets were laid out at right angles and had drainage gutters. There are also wells which supplied water to the community in addition they used coral reef from the nearby Indian Ocean to construct the buildings.

Although there are no written records about the existence of this town but in the early 16^th century the village was abandoned. The possible explanation was that a punitive expedition either derived from revenge or any military form of raid mainly from Mozambique in 1589.

It is now under the care of the National Museum of Kenya and apart from the preserved ruins. It has an imaginatively designed and a well stocked regional museum. In addition, the surrounding indigenous forest is a sacred site and the local community uses it for traditional rituals. The place has a beauty but also a creepy aspect. It is a place that has inspired tales of ghosts and mysterious happenings.

In 1948, it was declared a National Park. The ruins being famous have continued being a popular tourist destination. This is a Historic adventure you wouldn’t want to miss. Come and join us in our expedition.