Vaco da Gama Pillar: A five centuries-old identity that makes Malindi distinct
Many tourists from around the globe are always fascinated to visit Malindi due to the fact that the town has unique tourist attraction sites and monuments like the Vasco da Gama Pillar.
For over 500 years now, the Vasco da Gama Pillar has existed as a historical icon that makes Malindi a distinct town on Kenya’s Coast.
According to the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Vasco da Gama Pillar is a 15th-century structure or historical monument, having been erected by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498 or 1499. He later named the pillar after him.
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Vasco da Gama Pillar is today considered as one of the oldest European monuments in Africa.
The pillar is located roughly 120 kilometres northeast of Mombasa town in a windy surrounding environment next to the Indian Ocean in Malindi.
Vasco da Gama arrived in Kenya in his endeavour to find a sea route to India. On arrival, he built the pillar, strategically located as a beacon of a sea route for traders to and from the East coast of Africa.
The 15th century marked an era of worldwide exploration by the Portuguese.
Portuguese vessels
“Early in the 15th century, Portugal had conceived an idea of commemorating visits of Portuguese vessels in different domains. In 1497, King Dom Manuel of Portugal appointed Vasco da Gama to command a fleet of four ships to sail to India through the Far East,” says a statement from NMK.
NMK explains that the fleet under the command of Vasco da Gama left Portugal on July 8, 1497, and after many adventures, anchored off Malindi on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1498.
It was well received by the then Sultan of Malindi, with supplies of fresh water, fruits and vegetables. The visit lasted for nine days.
“At the request of Vasco da Gama, who incidentally refused to go ashore during the visit, the Sultan also provided a sea captain known by the name Ibn Majid, who guided the fleet across the Indian Ocean all the way to Calicut, India,” stated NMK.
Mohamed Shee, an elder and historian from Shella in Malindi, told The Eastleigh Voice that the warm welcome that the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was accorded on his first visit is probably the one that made him visit the town again on his return voyage in 1499.
Build a pillar
“It is during this second visit that his sailors were allowed to erect or build a pillar with a cross at the top bearing Portugal’s Coat of Arms. The structure was constructed on high ground near the then-sultan’s palace, in a hilly area, above the present jetty. The move was taken possibly as a leading mark to guide future seafarers,” said Mohamed
But what kind of materials were used in constructing the Vasco da Gama Pillar?
According to NMK, the cross, also known as padrão, was a Lisbon limestone. Here, slabs of limestone were carried as ballast in the ships.
“Those visiting Vasco da Gama Pillar will realise that the Coat of Arms of Portugal is still faintly visible, but unfortunately, this Christian symbol caused grave discontent among the Muslim community and soon it was taken down,” stated NMK.
However, after representation from the small Portuguese community that had by then established a trading post in Malindi, the Sultan permitted a pillar to be erected at its present site to hold the cross.
Tourists taking photos at the Vasco da Gama Pillar in Malindi, Kilifi County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
Original padrão
This Pillar is the only known original padrão out of several placed at various points on the African coastline by various Portuguese seafarers.
“In this exposed position the pillar became weathered and eroded and in 1973, Captain Malcolm of HMS Briton decided it should be reinforced and he arranged for the protective concrete cone to be built concealing the original pillar, which now supports the limestone cross. This stone was examined some years ago and confirmed to be limestone from Portugal,” stated NMK.
It is worth noting that in 1935, the Pillar was finally gazetted as a national monument and is currently under the National Museums of Kenya.
Since the headland on which the pillar stands had been eroded over the years, NMK has carried out restoration measures by reinforcing the existing sea wall, paved the once sandy access road with cabro blocks and built an ablution block within reachable distance to enhance visitors’ experience at the national monument.
Most visited site
Today, the pillar has become Malindi's most visited heritage site.
Apart from serving as a navigational aid, the presence of Vasco da Gama Pillar in Malindi is also a great symbol of Portuguese presence in the region.
With the rich marine and terrestrial wildlife plus the interesting history cemented by the presence of such sites and monuments like Vasco da Gama and the ruins such as Gede just in the neighbourhood, Malindi has now become a renowned tourist town and destination in Kilifi County.
Malindi town is near the mouth of Sabaki River, lying on Kenya’s coast next to the Indian Ocean. It sits amid a string of tropical beaches dotted with hotels and resorts.
Many tourists from around the globe are always fascinated to visit Malindi due to the fact that the town has unique tourist attraction sites and monuments like the Vasco da Gama Pillar.
It is in Malindi where you can, as well, set a time to visit the Malindi Marine National Park and nearby Watamu Marine National Park. Both of these parks are rich homes to turtles and colourful fish.
There is also the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve which harbours elephants and more than 200 species of birds and the Gede Ruins situated near the forest that one can enjoy visiting during their holiday tours and adventure.
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