Coronilla

Pate is located on the northern Swahili coast, in the Lamu Archipelago, Kenya. It is one of the earliest and most magnificent towns on this coast, exhibiting rich heritage in history, archaeology and architecture, and also intangible heritage ranging from crafts, building technology and religious festivals to food and foodways dating from hundreds of years ago. Rich in archaeological remains, historical narratives and architectural heritage, Pate has not received the same intellectual scrutiny as its historical rival Lamu. Pate today is a small version of the earlier town. Enclosed within the ruined ancient town wall, the total area, including the archaeological site, retains domestic and public structures of multiple storeys. Neville Chittick was the first archaeologist to carry out work in Pate town in 1965. To understand the power, prestige and position of Pate, one has to understand the architectural and archaeological heritage of the town as reflected on the landscape today, including population dynamics through time.