The history of Mombasa is a mixture of African, Persian, Arab, Portuguese and British influences which contributed to the rich cultural heritage found in the city today.
It was a great trading centre with items such as copper, glass, spices, brass, iron, ivory, gold, rhino horn and not least of all, slaves passing through. The original Arabic name was “Manbasa” while it was known as “Kisiwa Cha Mvita” in Kiswahili which means “Island of War” due to the many wars which were fought over control of this key port city.
