The History of the Mazruʻi Dynasty of Mombasa

This history of the Mazrui family, who ruled Mombasa for more than 100 years up to 1837, is published here in an English translation, together with the original Arabic text. It was written by the late Shaykh Al-Amin bin Ali Al Mazrui, formerly Chief Qadhi of Kenya Colony, and embodies the oral Mazrui family tradition, which stretches back beyond the evidence of English documents to the late seventeenth century. The text sheds light on a period of rapid change during the eighteenth century, and is further enhanced by James Ritchie's invaluable comments, maps, genealogies and chronological tables. The volume reveals important links between Arabic and KiSwahili culture, and will be welcomed by historians of East Africa and the Middle East.