Oman’s NRAA to Open Museum, Exhibition in Lamu on Friday

Muscat: The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) will open a permanent museum-cum-exhibition for records and antiques pertaining to Oman’s historical presence in East Africa next Friday (10 February 2023). The exhibits also highlight the common history shared by Oman and Kenya in the province of Lamu.

Once restoration tasks are completed and final improvements made, the archival exhibition will be inaugurated in coordination with the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Kenya and the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.

The project constitutes one of the archaeological and architectural landmarks hoped to play a variety of cultural roles.

Besides affirming Omani presence in the province of Lamu and the depth of the two countries’ historical relations, the exhibition consolidates noble Omani values and reflects Oman’s keenness to preserve various aspects of its heritage, culture and civilization.

The permanent exhibition is established within the framework of cooperation between the NRAA and the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier by the two countries in the same context.

Through this project, the NRAA seeks to spread awareness about Oman’s history and civilization in East Africa, notably among the local community and visitors to Lamu Island.

In 2017, the NRAA restored some parts of Mombasa Fort in the Republic of Kenya so that the monument could house a permanent museum-cum-exhibition. The facilities are named as follows: “Omani House”, “Al Mazrouei Hall” and “Fort Museum”. They all serve as testimony to Omani presence in Mombasa. – ONA