Wednesday 22 / July / 2026
Mombasa: The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) continues the implementation of its project to document the oral narrative of the Omani presence in the city of Mombasa, Republic of Kenya.
This comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to trace the paths of Omani history beyond the nation's borders and complete the documentation of the Omani cultural legacy in East Africa. Such efforts contribute to preserving historical memory and enhancing the sources of research and study regarding the historical relations that brought together the Sultanate of Oman and the countries of the African coast.
This project serves as an extension of the Authority's approach to collecting and documenting various historical sources. The oral narrative constitutes an important tributary that complements the thousands of documents and manuscripts related to the history of East Africa preserved by the Authority. The testimonies of narrators contribute to evoking the details of daily life and historical events that were not recorded in written sources, thereby remaining a living witness to the depth of the Omani presence in the region.
Through a series of field interviews, the team from the Oral History Department at the Authority is documenting the testimonies of several narrators among the residents of Mombasa. They recall what they experienced or inherited from their fathers and grandfathers regarding events, situations, and stories that embody the Omani presence in the city and the cities of the Kenyan coast, as well as the cultural impact it left on various aspects of political, economic, cultural, social, and urban life.
These interviews aim to document the oral memory of the Omani presence in Mombasa and highlight the historical role played by Omanis in East Africa across various historical stages. This enhances the documentation of the shared cultural legacy and provides authentic scientific material that supports historical and research studies.
In this context, Abdulaziz Humaid Al Mahdhouri, Director of the Oral History Department at the National Records and Archives Authority, stated that documenting the oral narrative in East Africa represents one of the main pillars of the Authority's projects aimed at completing the historical picture of the Omani presence outside the Sultanate of Oman.
He added that the accounts provided by the narrators constitute an authentic historical source that contributes to preserving details unavailable in written documents. It also enhances researchers' understanding of the nature of the human, social, and cultural relations that developed between Omanis and the peoples of East Africa over the centuries.
He clarified that the project is not limited to merely collecting narratives; rather, it seeks to preserve them according to a scientific methodology that ensures their sustainability and accessibility for future generations. This contributes to enriching the national repository of historical sources and supporting specialized academic studies on the shared history between the Sultanate of Oman and East African countries.
The field mission has resulted in the collection of a large number of testimonies and valuable historical information documenting multiple aspects of the Omani presence in Mombasa. These will be added to the documentary and historical repository maintained by the Authority, forming an important reference for researchers and those interested in the history of Oman and its cultural relations with East Africa.
The city of Mombasa and the Kenyan coast abound with numerous historical landmarks that confirm the depth of the Omani presence, ranging from historical forts, mosques, and archaeological cemeteries to old neighborhoods and markets, as well as ports, boats, and traditional sailing ships.
