Each year in Rabi al-Awwal, the small island of Lamu plays host to a three day Maulid festival. Participants arrive from all over East Africa to take part in the festivities, all in celebration of the birth of the Beloved of God, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Alongside ‘maulids,’ gatherings in which songs and poetry in his honour are sung and recited, there are dance competitions, dhow boat races, football games, and even a blood drive. Photographer Shainess Daoud shows us the festivities through the lens of her camera.
Read more: Lamu: The Swahili Maulid Town With An International History by Chantal Blake.
The men’s side during the Grand Maulid organized by the County of Lamu.
Two dhows (jahazi in Swahili) race one another in the annual dhow race that takes place during the Maulid Festival in Lamu. The teams are made of more than 13 people.
A group of men play the tambourine (matari in Swahili) in front of Lamu’s Riyadha Mosque.
During the festivities, each village plays its music (mostly with drums) and the men dance in a coordinated fashion. Here, a man is tying Kenyan shilling bills to the leader of a group as a way of honouring and congratulating him.
During the Maulid Festival, women have their own private ceremonies but they can also take part in most male ceremonies also. It is cultural in Lamu and other parts of Kenya for women to fully cover when they are surrounded by men. Here, it’s a group of women enjoying afternoon mixed festivities.
The women’s side during the Grand Maulid organized by the County of Lamu.
Women making duas (supplication) at the end of the Maulid cermony.
A group of men (young and old) dance and sing songs in praise of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The crowd is euphoric during the last afternoon of the Festival. Every group representing their city, country or village goes to the beach with their flags and performs their own dance- each celebrating with their own style.
A gathering after Isha (the last prayer) outside Riyadha Mosque for a Quran recitation contest.
All images copyright Shainess Daoud. All rights reserved. Follow Shainess on Instagram.
