Have you ever considered that names of places often carry stories? Majengo in Mombasa is no exception. Majengo is a ward of Mombasa city in Kenya. It sits right here on Mombasa Island.
Majengo’s story is tied to its very name. The name Majengo means structures or buildings in Kiswahili. It is believed to be one of the oldest estates here. Homes in Majengo were largely built of makuti thatch. Thatched roofs were a common sight here long ago.
In 2011 it was estimated that about 38800 people lived here. Majengo is divided between the Kisauni and Mvita electoral constituencies. The island has a rich history.
Mombasa itself got its name during the arrival of the Arabs. Locals resisted the invasion. Wars erupted. The rallying call was “mambo ni sasa”. The Arabs pronounced it Mombasa.
The Portuguese and Arabs settled here in the 13th century. They then started calling the place Mombasa. “Mambo ni sasa” was a rallying cry. It was used during the war between locals and invaders.
Mvita is another name with historical weight. It is Mombasa’s most urban constituency. It covers the island. The name comes from the many battles fought here. The Portuguese and Arabs fought at Mvita. They wanted control of the island in pre-colonial days.
Makadara also has an interesting origin. It has many descendants of Baluchi soldiers. They settled here before it became a town. The name comes from Arabic. Qadr-ur-Rahman means fate of God.
Even today Majengo is undergoing changes. New high-rise buildings are going up. They replace the old lime, mortar and iron-roofed structures. Majengo and Makupa are old estates. They form part of Mvita constituency. Makupa is next to the modern industrial area. It is near the Mombasa Port. It is a residential area for the middle class.
So as you walk through Majengo remember its name. Think about the structures that once defined it. Consider the changes happening now. Majengo is more than just a place. It is a story written in Swahili and stone.