Thimlich Ohinga, Unique Fotress In East Africa
Ever heard of a place called Thimlich Ohinga? If not, don’t worry, you are not alone! Although Thimlich Ohinga has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in March 2018, this over 600-year-old archaeological site is little known, locally and internationally. The reasons might be poor marketing but also, until recently, poor infrastructure which made it cumbersome to access the place which is situated in Nyanza, Migori County, about 180 km south of Kisumu.
Thanks to Devolution and County Governments the road system in this part of Kenya has considerably improved and a drive with TEKWA from Rusinga Island via Mbita – Mirogi to Thimlich Ohinga is an easy 2 hours’ drive through beautiful and rich agricultural land.
Thimlich Ohinga is a unique fortress, actually the only one of its kind left in Eastern Africa, and has a striking resemblance to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe in Southern Africa albeit smaller. While we visit many other interesting traditional and historical sites on our Western Circuit (see itinerary) Thimlich Ohinga is definitely the absolute highlight. It is a stone complex representing an architectural tradition of massive monumental walls, which are up to 4,5 meters high and 3 meters thick. These walls are built with meticulously arranged stones of irregular shapes and sizes without any mortar using an interlocking technique which allowed these structures to survive for centuries. “They manifest a near perfect combination of beauty, strength, and balance.” (NMK). No wonder that the early western researchers were puzzled who could have set up such refined walls considering their biased ideas about the local African population.
Although historical records are scanty, scientists believe that this fortress was built by a Bantu people as a safe place against Nilotic intruders and was later used and maintained by Nilotic, finally, the Luo people who up to today live in Nyanza. The protective character of the construction is evident in the low entrance gates (1 m wide, 1,5 m high) which forced an intruder to bend down when accessing the gate which then allowed the guards to overpower him easily. And there are labyrinth-like corridors, another element to provide security.
The inside of the fortress is neatly divided into areas for different activities, like cow pens with water drainage, agricultural activities like grinding stones and small enclosures for gardens but also recreational activities like playing games.
Come and join TEKWA in exploring this amazing monument of international standards. Dr. Therese Schaerer, our Swiss Historian, and Anthropologist is looking forward to showing you this and the many other jewels worth visiting in Western Kenya and enchant you with factual and traditional stories.
ITINERARY (8-day-tour)
Nairobi – Kakamega Forest – Stone of Illesi – Munguma Caves – Tiriki Forest – Kisumu – Lake Simbi – Rusinga Island – Thimlich Ohinga – Homa Bay – Luanda Kotieno (by ferry) – Kit Mikayi – Alego/Kogelo – Kericho – Nairobi.
We Also Organize Tailor-Made Following Your Interests And Your Schedule
Forthcoming Tours:
February 02nd to 09th, 2019
June 08th to 15th, 2019
August 10th to 17th, 2019
December 14th t 21st, 2019
FOR RATES AND ANY FURTHER INFORMATION
Call: +254715806620 | +254733822754
E-Mail: info@tekwa.co.ke
