An open forum about the culture and the future of the Waswahili people. Your comments be it political, social or otherwise. Join the forum. You can comment in English or Swahili.To a large extent, Swahili culture has been influenced by Arabic culture. The long association of the Waswahili and Arabs has had a lasting bearing on Swahili life. However, Arabic influence never destroyed the identity of Swahili culture.Among the indigenous Swahili, carpentry, masonry and smithing were rated very highly. The Waswahili were also expert dancers and poets, who praised virtues of their life. Poetry as an art is reputed to have its origin among the northern Kenya coastal towns of Lamu and Pate from where it spread to Mombassa, Tanga, Zanzibar and Pemba. Kiswahili poetry was, and indeed still is, rich in homiletic works, historical chronicles, heroic songs, lyrics, love-ballads and humorous dialogues. The whole range of Swahili poetry was a perfect reflection of the Swahili life.

The Waswahili lived in earthen walls and stone-bulit towns. Their house plans were decorated with plasterwork that gave them a conspicuous and admirable appearance.