Oral testimonies shed light on Oman’s centuries-old ties with East Africa
Oman is intensifying efforts to preserve its historical connections with East Africa through a project that documents oral accounts of the Omani presence in Mombasa, Kenya. This initiative adds firsthand testimonies to its expanding archive of shared heritage.
The project, spearheaded by the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA), is part of a broader program aimed at tracing Oman’s historical footprint beyond its borders and safeguarding the cultural legacy that links the sultanate with nations along the East African coast.
This endeavor complements the authority’s substantial collection of historical documents and manuscripts pertaining to East Africa. By recording memories passed down through generations, it offers insights into aspects of daily life and historical events that were never captured in written records.
A team from the NRAA’s Oral History Department is conducting field interviews with Mombasa residents. Their personal recollections, along with those inherited from parents and grandparents, reflect the Omani presence in the city and across Kenya’s coast.
These testimonies document the political, economic, cultural, social, and architectural influence of Omanis in the region across various historical periods. They also provide researchers with new primary Africa
Abdulaziz bin Hamid Al Mahdhouri, Director of the Oral History Department, stated that documenting oral history in East Africa is a crucial component of the authority’s work to complete the historical record of Oman’s overseas presence.
“The narratives shared by local storytellers preserve details that are absent from written documents and deepen our understanding of the human, social and cultural ties that developed between Omanis and the peoples of East Africa over the centuries,” he said.
Al Mahdhouri further explained that the project extends beyond simply collecting interviews. These accounts are preserved using scientific archival methods to ensure their accessibility for future generations and to support specialized historical and academic research.
The most recent field mission has successfully gathered a significant collection of historical testimonies. These will be integrated into the authority’s archives, creating an important re with East Africa
Mombasa and the broader Kenyan coast continue to exhibit evidence of this shared history. Historic forts, mosques, neighborhoods, markets, ports, and traditional wooden sailing vessels all reflect centuries of interaction across the Indian Ocean.
