Saturday 28 / December / 2024
Muscat: A permanent museum exhibition of Omani documents, archives and collectibles was opened in Lamu Island, Kenya.
The National Records and Archives Authority opened the permanent museum exhibition consisting of documents, archives and historical holdings of Omani presence in East Africa, as well as the common history between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kenya in the province of Lamu Island, after carrying out restoration and improvement works in coordination with the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Kenya, and in cooperation with the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.
The opening ceremony was sponsored by Her Excellency Peninah Malonza, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage of the Republic of Kenya.
The minister referred to the depth of historical relations and the common civilisational and cultural link between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kenya since ancient times, explaining that the island of "Lamu" is very rich in Agriculture, and that Omanis have settled there since the sixteenth century.
Her Excellency stressed the importance of opening the museum, which was prepared to highlight the history of the Sultanate of Oman and its navigational, commercial and cultural role in the coastal region of Kenya and East Africa, especially the Islamic religion, whose teachings were spread in Lamu by Omanis, Arabs and other countries.
The permanent museum exhibition represents an archaeological and architectural landmark with a variety of cultural roles. It aims to highlight Omani presence and influence in the Lamu district of the Republic of Kenya, confirming the depth of historical relations between the two countries and consolidating Omani values, whose effects are still strong in East Africa.
His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Dhawaani, Chairman of the National Records and Archives Authority, delivered a speech in which he said that the ceremony embodies the meanings of love, affection and the civilised treatment of the members of the "Lamu" community, who have contributed to making their city civilized and historical, referring to the depth of the strong historical relations and cultural bond between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kenya.
His Excellency appreciated the efforts of the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Kenya in strengthening the fraternal relationship based on cooperation in various fields, indicating that the continent of Africa witnessed a wave of migrations since the BC era. Omani communication since the third millennium BC was through trade and communication across the seas and oceans, in a series of different Omani tribes and groups, as well as migrations from the African continent to coastal cities, and their merger with other Arab migrations to establish emirates in different cities.
Said bin Mohammed Al Amri, Chargé d'Affaires of the Sultanate of Oman's Embassy in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya, delivered a speech in which he stressed the importance of opening the museum within the framework of cooperation between the National Records and Archives Authority and the National Museums of Kenya in coordination with the Omani Embassy, in order to preserve the heritage and common heritage between the two friendly countries and to highlight their historical ties throughout the ages.
He referred to the joint cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and Kenya in the cultural field, including the rehabilitation of some areas of Mombasa Castle in the Republic of Kenya. Work is underway to open the Oman Hall project at the Nairobi National Museum, to emphasise the depth of ties and common history between the two countries.
The National Records and Archives Authority, in coordination with the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Nairobi and in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage of the Republic of Kenya, has made some improvements to the museum, which includes 7 halls, namely: the Oman Through Time Hall, the Omani Maritime Heritage Hall, the Human and Society Hall, and the Sultans Hall of the Al Busaid Dynasty in East Africa, the hall of Sultan Qaboos bin Said (1390-1441 AH 1970-2020 AD), in addition to the hall of the modern renaissance of Oman, and the hall of the Omani presence in East Africa.
The museum documentary exhibition deals with the history of Oman through prehistoric times, the ancient Omani migrations, and Oman during the era of the Nabahina and the Ya’araba, all the way to the era of the Busaidi state, supported by documents, agreements, archaeological holdings, decorations and commercial products.
The historical documents in the "Lamu" museum are described in three languages; Arabic, Swahili and English. The museum has also been equipped with display screens that broadcast various films about the Sultanate of Oman in both Arabic and English.
The exhibition also includes the history of the Omani maritime heritage, its modern fleet, the prosperity of the ports in the past, the commercial sea routes to China and East Africa, as well as traditional ships. It also presents examples of the social life of the Omani people, which includes traditional costumes of a distinctive nature, and archaeological holdings of weapons, swords, daggers and silver works.
As for the modern Oman Hall, it deals with developmental milestones in the Sultanate of Oman, including education, health and tourism projects, and pictures of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik .
The opening ceremony was attended by a number of Their Excellencies, ambassadors of some Arab countries, and officials from both Omani and Kenyan sides.
