The donkey in the city of Lamu on the Kenyan coast is not like others in other regions, as it has priority on the road, is honored by festivals, and people care about it due to the distinctive role it plays in the lives of the people of this island.

The number of donkeys on Lamu Island reached 25,000 in 2015, and there are 3,000 of them in the Old City. People know their origin, lineage, and dates of birth, and even register them officially in government offices.

The human relationship between donkeys and their owners is embodied in the health center, where everyone brings their donkeys there for periodic examination, free treatment, and nail trimming. Every donkey owner has a mark on the donkey’s neck that distinguishes him from other donkeys, and people respect these marks and are satisfied with them.

According to the residents, the donkey has a long history with the inhabitants of the island, and the city life and nature there cannot do without it. What indicates its importance is that the price of the donkey reached 55 thousand shillings, equivalent to “600 US dollars”, so it is not cheap there.

Residents add that they honor the donkey on several occasions, including the annual cultural festival, where an annual race is held for the strongest and fastest donkey, and the owner of the winning donkey is honored, which greatly increases the value of the donkey.

It is worth noting that the donkey on Lamu Island carries people, their belongings, and their children. To this day, it is their primary means of transportation. Moreover, this animal is credited with building “Lamu” houses throughout history, as it was carrying “mangrove” wood and stones from the sea to the city.