On the North coast of Mombasa Southwards of the town of Malindi, lies one the most historic, fascinating and capturing ruins found in Mombasa, called the Gedi Ruins. The sixteen kilometers or so drive offers a view of Acacia thorns trees in the background together with savanna grassland plains for the tourist to watch. Vultures, crows among other scavengers are seen flying at a distance perhaps waiting for flesh to feast on.
Gedi used to be a small thriving town hundreds of years ago that was built entirely from rocks and stones and was ruled by a very rich Sultan. The Gedi (Gede) Ruins were declared a national park in 1948, instantly becoming one of the top tourist attractions in Kenya, for those wanting to enjoy Kenya beach vacations in Mombasa and Malindi.
The surrounding forest whose inhabitants are mostly monkeys; Displays an interesting variety of plant life with a good chance of encountering wildlife in the early morning hours. The bird life is tantalizing, featuring many forest birds such as the humming bird, doves and Malabo storks. The surrounding community regards the Gedi indigenous forest as a sacred site used for traditional rituals and sacrifices. In most African countries (that have managed to conserve the forests), forests are regarded as sacred places or shrines with the locals revering the forest gods. In this way, the forests are protected from De- forestation and encroachment of the human population.
Also at Gedi ruins is a tree nursery aimed at protecting and promoting coastal trees and shrubs that are on sale to the public to those wanting natural beauty and aesthetics that the trees provide.
Next time you are in Mombasa, take time to visit the ruins for they provide a great avenue for learning as well as entertainment or better still experiencing cultural diversity in the region.
Mombasa Hotels
2 comments:
What happened here?
The Gedi Ruins are one of Kenya and East Africa's great mysteries. The puzzle surrounding this abandoned town adds to its haunting beauty that captivates and frightens locals and tourists alike to this day. It is thought that the town was founded in the early 13th Century due to finds like a Ming China vase and Venetian glass. Gedi was then mysteriously abandoned in the late 17th Century.
One reason that this may have occurred is due to tribes from the north migrating down into the forest where Gedi lies and forcing the inhabitants out. However the main puzzle is that there are no records of the town in Portuguese, Arabic or Swahili scripts. As it lies 2 miles outside Watama on the Malindi to Mombasa road it was close to other settlements, yet no references have been found to date. Pottery was found from all over the world suggesting a centre of trade and therefore the obscurity of Gedi in records is even more intriguing.
could iit then be considered a miraculous ninth wonder of the world.
Post a Comment