past horizons12 The cultural traditions of Lamu Island, a town off the coast of Kenya, are a blend of African and Arab heritage dating to the 12th century when Arab traders travelled south and created Swahili city states. Despite being protected to some extent by the town's designation as a World Heritage Site, many traditional arts and crafts, including building arts, are fading into obscurity as they are no longer being handed down from one generation to the next. Kenya The core of Lamu's beauty is its stone buildings, set along streets rarely more than eight feet wide. The close proximity of the stone walls cools the air and blocks the sun's rays. This city core was the focus of a study by the Kenyan government in 1972. The recommendation was to gazette the old town as a protected area and institute a conservation plan to develop it as both a cultural site and a tourist destination. The town was declared a national monument in 1980 and added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 2001. Despite these measures, Lamu's distinctive building traditions remain fragile, and the Lamu World Heritage Site and Conservation Office is implementing a number of programmes to raise awareness of such traditions and keep them alive. One such initiative is a workshop in conjunction with Heritage Conservation Network, a US non- profit organization that supports community- driven heritage conservation efforts around the world. This hands- on building conservation workshop, entitled Re- Discovering the Soul of Swahili Tradition: Conservation of Swahili- Style Stone House, is scheduled for February 8- 21, 2009. It will bring people from throughout the region to work on a coral rag building, one of the few remaining historic residences within Lamu Old Town still owned and occupied by a local family. The two- week workshop will address the principles of coral rag building, along with timber window and door restoration and the manufacture, slaking and preparation of lime. Re- discovering the Soul of Swahili Tradition The workshop is open to the general public as well, providing an opportunity to immerse oneself in the island's culture and traditions, which include dhows ( traditional sailing vessels), calligraphy, and the sewing of traditional hats, while helping restore the building. By Jamie Donahoe

13past horizons Left: Taking part in a calligraphy competition Top: Learning traditional plasterwork techniques Above: A traditional hat maker from Lamu Get Involved As with all of HCN's workshops, no experience is necessary, just an interest in helping preserve Kenya's culture and heritage. The cost for international participants is US$ 1115 for one week and US$ 1480 for two weeks, which covers lodging, breakfast and lunch, insurance, fieldtrips, workshop materials and instruction. Transportation to Lamu is not included and is the responsibility of the participant. Weekend tours will include the Matondoni Village Tour and an excursion to the Takwa National Monument. There is a separate fee structure for regional residents and community members. For more information or to register, see HCN's website at www. heritageconservation. net/ ws- lamu. htm ? or contact them at + 1 303 444 0128.