Fatuma’s Tower and Yoga Centre

Fatuma’s Tower and Yoga Centre, Shela Village Lamu Islands Kenya

Fatuma's Tower and Yoga House is a three stories building built of thick coral walls with high ceilingis located in the sleepy fishing village of Shella on the island of Lamu. Fatuma's Tower was last occupied a hundred years ago by a Swahili noble woman named Fatuma Abu Bakar who lived in this sanctuary attended by five female slaves until the end of the 19th century. Over time, all the floors of the building and most of its walls fell to the ground.

Fatuma’s Tower has been reconstructed to have four double rooms with washrooms (and hot water) and two singles sharing a washroom. All rooms are furnished in the traditional Swahili style with tasteful wooden furniture. Bed linen, mosquito nets, house towels and fans are provided and there is a safe for valuables. The rooftop terrace reached by narrow stairs has a panoramic view of Shela, the dunes and the sea. Here you can meditate or gaze at the night sky of brilliant stars and changing phases of the moon.

Fatuma's Tower and Wellness Center has a yoga practice hall where the slanted window construction form perfected by the old mosques prevents the entry of direct sunlight and keeps the hall cool and together with traditional Swahili plasterwork gives the whole building an immediate feeling of serenity and calm. There are two regular Yoga classes daily.