Gedi Ruins, Kenya
Posted by: 
Hana_quirin
S 03° 19.000 E 039° 59.000
37M E 609243 N 9633349
The remnants of a mysterious Swahili town in the depth of Arabuko Sokoke forest 15 km from Malindi, inhabited from the 14th to 17th century.
Waymark Code: WMBCMD
Location: Kenya
Date Posted: 05/06/2011
Views: 4
Gedi ruins are all that remains of Gede (= "Precious" in the local Orma language), Swahili town. It was founded in the late 13th or early 14th century, reached its zenith in the 15th century. It was abandoned in the end of 16th century for an unknown reason.
The ruins include mosques, palace of sultan, residential houses and pillar tombs. Building material consisted of coral rag, red earth and coral lime.
Despite the size (about 45 acres)and complexity of this large settlement(2500 inhabitants), it is never mentioned in any historic writings or local recorded history. The nearby Portuguese settlement at Malindi seems to have had no contact with, or even known of the existence of Gedi.
The excavations in 1948 - 1958 have uncovered porcelain from China, Venetian beads, Spanish scissors. Gedi´s moslim citizens were engaged in a bit of international trade.
Gedi was re-occupied by the Somalian Galla tribe in the 16th century. This nomadic tribe would abandon the town much the same as its original inhabitants.
The forest has overgrown and consumed the town. The ruins became a part of local folklore, regarded as a sinister lair of malevolent spirits, until archeologist began to uncover the site in the 20th century. It was declared national park in 1948.
Type: Ruin
Fee: 500
Hours:
Mo - Su
7 - 18
Related URL: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Original photographs showing additional views of the Ruin/Remnant or even just its current condition are encouraged. Please describe your visit, especially if no additional photos are available. Did you like the Ruin or Remnant? What prompted you to see the Ruin or Remnant?
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