A historically cultural port town, Mombasa city boasts of unique blend of culture developed through centuries of contacts with both local and foreign cultures that encompasses colorful clothing, superb Swahili delicacies, modern and traditional sports, music and dances and arts and crafts.
The indigenous people of Mombasa are collectivists in nature and as a result, they engage in various cultural activities as a means to not only spend their spare time but also to enhance their social togetherness and sense of community
Art in Mombasa
Museums and Art Galleries
Diani Beach Art Gallery
Situated less than 45mn from the city center at Diani Beach, the gallery is an ideal meeting point for art enthusiasts.
- It offers an array of contemporary fine Kenyan and African artworks including paintings, surrealist creations that come in every size, photographs and sculptures that are finely finished
- There are also art classes and themed nights
Fort Jesus
An Italian fortress constructed in the 1500s by the Portuguese to safeguard the entry to the harbor, Fort Jesus is an architectural marvel made in the shape of a man that currently evidences the political and economic history of Mombasa city.
- Fort Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases varied artifacts of the different local and foreign cultures that have over the centuries occupied the island from the Arabs and Indians to the Omani, Persians and the Portuguese.
- Currently used as a museum, Fort Jesus exhibits preserved military fortifications, pottery and ceramics and relics from a Portuguese frigate that sunk in 1698.
- If you want to learn a thing or two about how to preserve old artifacts, Fort Jesus has fully equipped Education unit and Conservation Lab.
Centre for Heritage Development in Africa (CHDA)
A gallery located in the city center at Old Law Courts Building along Nkrumah Road, CHDA has well preserved cultural artifacts that enhances Africa’s cultural heritage.
- Most artifacts preserved here are either movable or immovable
Gede Ruins National Monument & Museum
A gazetted national museum and monument, Gede ruins is a centuries old Swahili village that was established in the 12th century that is currently covered with splendorous indigenous forest cover comprising of tamarind and giant baobab trees.
- It is located along Mombasa-Malindi road, 94km north of the city
- The ruins features winding narrow paths and more than fifty exotic tree species
- Other than offering a serene and quiet environment, the ruins hosts a variety of birds from Malachite Kingfishers and African Harrier Hawks to Paradise flycatchers and Afrfican green-tinkerbird, etc.
- The ruins offer a rare glimpse at the enthralling Swahili culture
Coast Gallery of Arts
Located along Nyali Links road, Coast Gallery of Arts quenches your thirst for authentic handmade picture frames, adorned with African designs and made using local materials
It is an ideal place to get unique gift items and African artworks
Movie Theaters
Nyali Cinemax
It is ultra-modern Cinemax that is the latest addition to the movie culture in the city showing most recent box office releases
Situated at Nyali, less than 30min from the city center
Lotus Cinema
Situated in downtown Mombasa city along Makadara Rd, Lotus cinema offers diverse set of entertainment
Kenya Cinema
Located few minutes from Lotus Cinema along Nkrumah Road
Other movie and cinema theaters includes
- Moons Cinema-Tononoka Wajir Road
- Indo African Theaters Ltd-Makadara Road
Casinos
A growing culture among the middle and upper class in Mombasa, casino going is growing roots as a cultural activity in the city where people spend their spare time, connect with friends and earn/lose a coin while doing it.
Major casinos includes
- Nyali Beach Hotel Casino
- Golden Key Casino
- Florida Beach Casino
- The Royal Casino
Music
Music is an important cultural activity in Mombasa and is used to self-express. People enjoy their music, especially taarab (local music genre).
- Numerous music and dancing clubs clustered in the city
- Live music concerts and music bands
Sports
A cultural activity, sports takes a considerable part in the life of locals.
- Both old and young men play games such as “draft” (chess) on wooden boards
- Diving, boat racing, banana boat riding and kite surfing, etc., are some of the different water sports people in the city engage in given its ideal location and proximity to the Indian Ocean
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