Since being named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001, Lamu Old Town has held an annual cultural festival, intended to showcase the rich Swahili culture of the Lamu Archipelago and to help preserve the unique art and handicraft of Kenya's oldest living town.
Events are designed to encourage traditional skills such as henna painting, Swahili poetry, dhow sailing and dance. The donkey race is also a favourite and attracts huge crowds. This year's turnout to the festival was relatively low due to lingering security concerns, but for those that did attend, the atmosphere was electric.
Here are a few highlights from this year's Lamu Cultural Festival:
