Gede (also known as Gedi) is a village on the
Indian Ocean coast of
Kenya, lying in
Kilifi County, south of
Malindi and north of
Watamu. The
Ruins of Gedi
The ruins of Gedi are a historical and archaeological site near the Indian Ocean coast of eastern Kenya. The site is adjacent to the town of Gedi (also known as Gede) in the Kilifi District and within the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.
Gedi is one ...
are located there. Although not thought to be mentioned in historic sources, extensive ruins of a former
port have been dated to the thirteenth century or earlier, including a
tomb with a date corresponding to 1399, until at least the seventeenth century. Later, the port was abandoned and not rediscovered until the 1920s.
The buildings are of
coral,
earth and
plaster, some with designs inscribed. They include a
mosque,
palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...
,
house
A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condi ...
s and tombs as well as a
fort. The style is classified as
Swahili architecture
Swahili architecture is a term used to designate a whole range of diverse building traditions practiced or once practiced along the eastern and southeastern coasts of Africa. Rather than simple derivatives of Islamic architecture from the Arabic ...
.
The modern village is home to a
museum and a
butterfly house.
Gede was part of the
Malindi District Malindi District was a former administrative district in the Coast Province of Kenya. Its capital was the coastal town of Malindi. When it was eliminated and merged into Kilifi County in 2010, the district had a population of 544,30 Malindi Town is ...
(until it was eliminated in 2010) and it has an urban population of 596 in 2005.
See also
*
Gede National Monument
The ruins of Gedi are a historical and archaeological site near the Indian Ocean coast of eastern Kenya. The site is adjacent to the town of Gedi (also known as Gede) in the Kilifi District and within the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.
Gedi is one ...
*
Historic Swahili Settlements
References
External links
Gedi Ruins - More information from the Magical Kenya Website*
Swahili people
Swahili city-states
Swahili culture
Kilifi County
Populated places in Coast Province
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