Shimoni
Shimoni, Kenya
About
The village of Shimoni is 76 kilometers south of Likoma and the launching point for Wasini Island. Shimoni was once the headquarters of the Imperial British East Africa Company. The market is built over an old British colonial outpost. Visitors can explore the Shimoni Caves, said to hold slaves before shipment to Arabia. The caves are thought to go back 5 kilometers. Only the main entrance cavern is open, due to the floor rising and blocking access to other caves. Iron shackles can still be seen on the walls and well-preserved wooden crates, used to transport slaves, are still found in the caves. There is another story about the use of the caves, as a place of refuge for the Digo people during battles with various hostile tribes. Archeological findings are proof that these coral caves have been inhabited for several centuries. Opposite the Shimoni Caves is the old headquarters for the Imperial British East Africa Company, which has fallen into ruin. Within the town of Shimoni, there are some interesting ruins and colonial graves. Wasini Island, generally reached by dhow, is well known for the cultural Wasini Village. Ancient Swahili ruins and the coral gardens, a landscape of exposed coral reefs, are a couple of the interesting sights to see. An Arab settlement from the 18th and 19th C features ruins of many of the houses and a Muslim pillar tomb inset with Chinese porcelain
