Valued assets: Precious Lamu donkeys priced more than motorcycles
The native Lamu donkey is an integral part of the Lamu Old Town’s culture and heritage.
The precious Lamu donkeys that are priced higher than motorcycles
Donkeys are a crucial element in the Lamu Archipelago.
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Places like Lamu Old Town extremely value donkeys to the extent that a home without the beast of burden is considered incomplete.
It is worth noting that the native Lamu donkey is an integral part of the Lamu Old Town’s culture and heritage.
Tampering with the animal is, therefore, considered a serious thing as that will, as well, mean hurting the heritage of the region.
And that is the reason why even purchasing a donkey in Lamu is also a serious matter as the beast of burden is a valuable asset.
Do you know that in some instances, donkeys in Lamu Old Town have been bought highly, so costly even more than that of a motorbike?
It is because of the presence of donkeys and the way it is used as the main mode of transport that resulted in Lamu listed in 2001 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Another reason is the fact that the old town has a well-preserved ancient culture and heritage that has spanned decades. This includes residents walking on foot and using the donkeys as the main means of transport.
Hussein Miji, a donkey owner in Lamu Old Town, says native donkeys of Lamu are always untouchable and highly priced depending on the particular uses of such animals.
Donkeys used for cargo transportation in Lamu County. (Photo: farhiya Hussein)
Hussein says a native donkey of Lamu that is used for racing ranges from Sh100,000 to as high as Sh150,000.
“Lamu native donkeys are always expensive compared to donkeys from other regions of Kenya. The pricing of our donkeys depends on the roles they carry. For instance, we have donkeys used for cargo transportation. We have others used for various competitions, including racing. You can get a racing donkey for as high as Sh150,000,” said Hussein.
Salim Aboud, another donkey owner in Lamu says he recently bought his young donkey of around 15 days for Sh15,000.
Price determiner
Salim says a grown-up donkey ranges from Sh30,000 to Sh80,000. Here, prices are also determined using various qualities like ages, sizes, colours, how healthy they are, their uses, gender (sex) and originality.
He notes that racing donkeys that are already considered champions after receiving training and used for some time range from Sh75,000 to as high as Sh150,000.
“There are scenarios where recently, a donkey owner was happy when he was given a brand new Honda-branded motorcycle plus an additional Sh25,000 cash just in exchange for its racing donkey named ‘Rashford.’ That’s how valued our donkeys here are,” said Salim.
But why are Lamu donkeys so valued?
In Lamu, the island has no motorised transport, meaning locals here rely on the animals (donkeys) for transport and to move goods.
Ali Mohamed, a donkey owner and operator in Pamba Roho, for instance, started his donkey business, dealing with cargo transportation in 2011 after completing college and failing to secure a job.
Since then, he has never thought of abandoning the work.
Donkeys line up for a race in Lamu County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
He owns 15 actively working donkeys that have enabled him to earn not less than Sh3,000.
His daily duties involve carrying construction materials, farm produce and other cargo within the archipelago.
“I was frustrated after failing to secure a job. It reached a point where I gave up and started the donkey transportation business. At that time, I had only two donkeys that I inherited from my father. I used to earn between Sh500 and Sh1,500 per day. Today, I can earn not less than Sh3000 per day,” said Ali.
Omar Kidege, another donkey operator in the Kandahar area in Lamu Old Town, says the donkey job has enabled him to educate two of his children up to university.
“Most of us working in the donkey industry are getting good money. I have six donkeys and earn not less than Sh4000 per day. In a good month of working uninterrupted, I can earn up to Sh50,000. This has enabled me to educate my children and I have no plan to leave the industry no matter what,” said Omar.
Abdallah Ahmed, a proprietor in the donkey industry admits that the crucial roles that the donkey partake in Lamu have made it attract high prices.
“Purchasing a donkey in Lamu is indeed an expensive affair that not everyone can afford to buy one. A donkey can fetch between Sh15,000 and Sh150,000, depending on its kind, colour, and the duties it performs,” he insisted.
He revealed that he has on many occasions bought the normal working donkey for between Sh45,000 and Sh80,000,” said Abdallah.
He added, “We also have donkeys that are for entertainment, including those used for various competitions, including donkey races and pageants. You can’t acquire such animals for not less than Sh80,000. Some are sold for as high as Sh120,000 or Sh150,000.” Lamu has over 60 islands and the major means of transport here is the donkey.
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