The Mysterious Gedi Ruins: One of Kenya’s Greatest Treasures
The Kenya Coast remains one the top travel destinations in Kenya, offering many diverse tourist attractions. Among such popular destination in the Coast are the Gedi ruins, which lie about 100 km north of Mombasa and 15 km south of Malindi. These ruins of the 15th century town of Gedi hold with them Kenya’s great unknown treasures; a wonderful ancient town lying lost in the depths of the Arabuko Sokoke forest.
Little is known of Gedi, with archaeologists and historians remaining puzzled, but it is believed the town was was abandoned in the early 17th century. Although the exact reason as to why the town was deserted is not documented, a school of though has it that the town was destroyed by unknown invaders in the 17th century. This theory is highly disputed among researchers as there are no signs of battle or disturbance in this once complex Swahili settlement (about 45 acres) whose population was about 2500.
Some people argue that the Gedi’s residents abandoned the town due to reduced water availability in the wells, caused by receding ocean waters. Others also allege that the Portuguese brought the deadly and incurable Black Plague, which killed the entire population of Gedi.
One more recent theory believes that Gedi townspeople fled from an imminent arrival of the Galla, an inland tribe known to have been very hostile. Recorded history however does not mention any such large scale evacuation at around that time.
In 1927, Gedi ruins were declared a historic monument. Since then, there have been many excavation and preservation works in the ruins. Many large areas of this ancient town have been revealed, including the palace, a great mosque, and the pillar tombs. Despite all this research work however, nobody knows with certainty what happened to Gedi and its inhabitants.
Between 1948 and 1958, excavations at Gedi ruins uncovered an Indian lamp, porcelain from China, spanish scissors, and Venetian beads among other items that point to engagement in some form of international trade by citizens of Gedi.
Gedi ruins were declared a national park in 1948. Since then, the area has become among the top tourist destinations in the Kenyan coast. The place still remains mysterious with its ruined mosques and tombs in the midst of trees, and pillars and stone walls.
Gedi remains an oasis of tranquility to date, though surrounded by modern day villages. The ruins are overgrown with plants and flowers. Getting to Gedi is easy from Mombasa, Malindi, or Watamu. A small museum in the area displays ancient artifacts retrieved through excavation works. These include Arab wares, Chinese porcelain, and Phoenician artifacts. More Gede ruins artifacts are also displayed at the Fort Jesus museum in Mombasa.