CHANGES IN TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC HIGHER EDUCATION AT THE KENYAN COAST FROM 1850-1978 JULIUS SIMIYU NABENDE REG.NO. C82/7503/1995 A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OCTOBER 2016 DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university. Julius Simiyu Nabende C82/7503/1995 Signature------------------------------------ Date------------------------------------------ This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University Supervisors. Prof. Mildred A. J. Ndeda Signature---------------------------------------- Date---------------------------------------------- Dr. Susan Mwangi Owino Signature------------------------------------ Date------------------------------------------ i DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the initiatives of Muslim scholars who contributed immensely to the transformation of Islamic higher education in the coast region of Kenya. These include among others Habib Ali Saleh, Sheikh Al-Amin, Abdalla Al- Farsy and Sheikh Musa Hussein. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I acknowledge the tireless commitment of my supervisors, Prof. Mildred Ndeda and Dr. Susan Mwangi Owino who have contributed to the completion of this work. I also recognize the support from faculty members of the department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies, Kenyatta University who kept on encouraging me to press on and complete the work. I cannot forget to appreciate Kenyatta University for giving me a chance to pursue this degree. Similarly I thank the staff of the Post modern Library, Kenyatta and Kenya and Mombasa Museum for assisting me in getting the relavant sources for this work. I extend my thanks to my research Assistant Stephen Okuta who helped in conducting oral interviews and collecting Archival material. I also thank my students who inspired and challenged me by calling me “daktari” when I did not deserve it. I want to thank my family for the moral support through the years I have been writing the thesis. Lastly my gratitude goes to the Almighty God who has granted me good health and will power to complete this work. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ....................................................................................................... i DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................ iv ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................. vii DEFINITION OF TERMS ................................................................................... viii CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background to the Study ....................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................... 8 1.3Study Objectives .................................................................................................... 9 1.4 Research Questions ............................................................................................. 10 1.5 Significance and Justification of the study ......................................................... 10 1.6 The Scope and Limitations of the Study ............................................................. 13 1.7Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................ 14 1.8. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE .................................................... 20 1.8.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 20 1.8.1Middle East and the rest of Asia ....................................................................... 21 1.8.2. North, West and Southern Africa.................................................................... 26 1.8.3. Eastern Africa ................................................................................................. 29 Summary of Literature Review ............................................................................. 40 1.9. Research Methodology .................................................................................... 40 1.9.1. Research Design.............................................................................................. 40 1.9.2. Study Area ...................................................................................................... 41 1.9.3. Study Population ............................................................................................. 42 1.9.4. Sampling Technique and Sample Size ............................................................ 42 1.9.5. Research Instruments ...................................................................................... 43 1.9.6. Sources of Data ............................................................................................... 43 1.9.6.1. Primary Sources ........................................................................................... 43 1.9.6.2. Secondary Sources ....................................................................................... 44 1.9.6.3. Key Informant Interview Guide. .................................................................. 44 1.9.3.4. Analysis of Data ........................................................................................... 45 1.9.3.5. Ethical Considerations ................................................................................. 46 CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................... 48 2.0 ISLAM AT THE KENYA COAST, 800-1850.A.D. ....................................... 48 2.1 History and culture of Islam ............................................................................ 48 2.2. Establishment of Islam in Coastal Kenya ...................................................... 54 2.2.1. Lamu ............................................................................................................... 58 2.2.2 Mombasa .......................................................................................................... 60 2.2.3 Malindi ............................................................................................................. 66 2.2.4 Islamic Culture in coastal Kenya ..................................................................... 67 2.5. Summary ........................................................................................................... 80 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 82 iv 3.2 Social Stratification ........................................................................................... 89 3.3. Muslim Brotherhoods ...................................................................................... 91 3.4.0 Islamic Reform Movement .............................................................................. 93 3.4. 1Salient features of Traditional Higher Islamic Education 1850-1900 ............. 98 3.4.2Institutions, Teachers and Students................................................................... 98 3.4.3 Curriculum ..................................................................................................... 102 3.5 Summary .......................................................................................................... 104 4.0 DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC HIGHER EDUCATION IN ............................................................................................................................ 107 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 107 4.2.1 Lamu Riyaadhi Mosgue College ................................................................... 109 4.2.1.2 Natural Sciences and Medicine ................................................................... 112 4.2.1.3 Religious Education, culture, history and philosophy ................................ 112 4.2.1.4 Linguistics and Literature .......................................................................... 115 4.2.1.5 Methodology ............................................................................................... 115 4.2.1.6 Evaluation .................................................................................................. 116 4.2.1.7 Funding ...................................................................................................... 116 4.2.1.8 Enrolment .................................................................................................... 117 4.2.1.9 Alumni ........................................................................................................ 118 4.2.2 Mazrui Mosque, Mombasa ............................................................................ 118 4.2.3 Enrolment ......................................................................................................