Established local understandings of land rights began to fall apart due to German and European presence at the turn of the 20th century. Witu, located on the immediate mainland opposite Lamu Island, became a political stronghold in the late 19th century. In 1884 the German brothers Clemens and Gustav Denhardt negotiated land and representation rights with Ahmed ibn Fumo Luti Sheikh Nabahani, known as the Sultan of Witu (1862 – 1889). Did Ahmed ibn Fumo Luti Sheikh Nabahany have the right to sell Witu land?
Improvised randa verses of a vave ritual that was performed in 2024 in Kiunga express these coastal peoples’ ongoing struggle with land injustices in the aftermath of political and social upheavals in the wake of European colonialism and the implementation of nation states.
Voice: 2024 Kiunga Vave community
Image credits: Forschungsbibliothek Gotha der Universität Erfurt, SPK 40 28.b B (01,06)
Video editing: Rebeca Ofek