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Condé Nast Traveler
6 days ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
In Lamu, Kenya, Dhow Sails Are Fluttering With New Life
For centuries, these boats were central to the Indian Ocean trade, carrying goods like mangrove timber and ivory from East Africa to Oman and India, and returning with cloth, dates, and porcelain. This trade transformed the Swahili coast into a meeting point of cultures and influences—a maritime thread linking continents through wind, wood, and water. That enduring legacy is one of the reasons that Lamu is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is made up of several villages, each with its own character, but Matondoni is one of the last bastions of its traditional boatbuilding. In this quaint village, just a 20-minute boat ride from Lamu Old Town, life remains rural and artisanal. It is a patchwork of simple stone homes with thatched palm roofs, clustered along narrow sandy paths. Donkeys roam freely, and children chase each other barefoot. Life here is simple, but behind the simplicity lies a long history of craftsmanship. As trade along the Swahili coast peaked in the 1930s and '40s, nearly every household here was linked to the trade: as a fundi (craftsman), sailor, or supplier of mangrove timber. The air is thick with sea salt and sawdust, and the sound of wooden frames creaking softly as builders move with the quiet patience of men who know you can't rush a craft that has lived for centuries. This is where dhows are still made the Swahili way: slowly, by hand, by memory, and with a blessing from Allah. Today, only a handful of yards operate. Fiberglass boats—cheaper, lighter, and faster to build—have largely replaced traditional dhows. Handmade vessels take months; fiberglass boats are ready in days. Many old boats now sit abandoned on the beach, their sails traded for motors. Still, a few master builders press on, choosing memory over machinery in a tender act of resistance. Omar Sharif, a dhow builder and fisherman in Shela At Lulu Stories, a boutique in Lamu, handmade decor by local artisans include salvaged pieces from old dhows. Lulu Stories, Shela - Lamu Shelali Shee Mohammed—known locally as Fundi Shelali—has been building dhows for 45 years as part of a celebrated lineage of master builders that dates back to his great-great-grandfather. 'Mashallah, there have been too many dhows to count,' he says proudly. 'I leave my name on most of them—Fundi Shelali—like an artist signing their work.' But he fears the craft will end with him. 'Allah gave me only daughters, so I've tried to train young boys in the village, but they have no interest. They want easier jobs.' The rising cost of materials and strict logging regulations have made dhow building increasingly difficult. 'At the peak of my career in the 1980s, timber was free,' says Shelali. 'Now, cutting even one tree needs government permission.' Builders are required to source hardwoods like mvule, mahogany, and African teak from expensive licensed suppliers, making this craft even more inaccessible. Many old boats now sit abandoned on the beach, their sails traded for motors. Still, a few master builders press on, choosing memory over machinery in a tender act of resistance. Luckily, the dhow's story is taking on a new life beyond the high seas. In Nairobi, 500 km inland, Kenyan designer Roky Gambo—founder of Swahili Chic Interiors—is giving these vessels a new purpose. Roky is from the Chonyi Tribe, one of the smaller Swahili tribes native to Kenya's Coast, that are historically known for their woodwork. Determined to preserve his own heritage, Roky rescues abandoned dhows and repurposes their wood into modern furniture.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Go Inside Content Creator Hali Oduor's Intimate Wedding Weekend in Kenya
It was only fitting that content creator Hali Oduor and Nathan Mixon choose Kenya as the locale for their June 28, 2025, wedding: The country is home to both the bride and groom, and they first met in July of 2013 at a Kenyan summer camp. "I was attending as a camper and Nathan was a junior counselor, both following our first year of high school," Hali explains. "I first saw Nathan at registration, where he was selling the camp t-shirts. I decided that week that he was going to be my husband—fast forward over a decade and it turned out to be true." The pair ended up attending the same high school for a few years, and though they became fast friends, they didn't start dating until after graduation. "We dated on and off for a few years, much of it long distance between Kenya and the U.S., until we finally reconnected in the fall of 2021 as friends," Hali notes. After nearly two more years, the duo started dating again at the beginning of 2023, just before Nathan moved back to Nairobi, and it was is they had never been apart. Later that year, in October of 2023, Nathan popped the question in Lamu, a stunning locale on Kenya's north coast, where they stayed at a house aptly named "Honeymoon House." There, he set up a collection of their favorite photos together and a number of handwritten notes, which Hali collected throughout the house "The last note said, 'Turn around," and when I did, Nathan was down on one knee and popped the question," the bride recalls. As Hali and Nathan started planning their wedding, the came across the Beach Palace in Malindi, Kenya, and immediately knew it was where they'd exchange vows. "We always knew we wanted to have our wedding in Kenya since it is home to both of us," Hali explains. "We both love the coast, and even though neither of us ever pictures a beach wedding before, when we found our venue, we knew it would make for a stunning and memorable wedding spot." They loved that the venue could accommodate all of their family members, which was important to the bride and groom. "My family lives in Kenya and Nathan's in the U.S., so they don't get to spend a lot of time together," the bride says. With support from Fatema Bhaiji, the founder of Aura Event Planners, the couple organized an intimate, family-centric wedding weekend that was attended by 35 of their closest family members and friends. The celebrations kicked off on June 27, when everyone gathered for a rooftop welcome party and, closed out with a beachfront barbecue on June 29. In between, they tied the knot in an ultra-personalized wedding celebration with a minimal, neutral aesthetic. Here, see every stunning photo of the weekend, as documented by Stories Matter. Related: How to Plan the Ultimate Destination Wedding Since most of their guests had traveled for the wedding weekend, Hali and Nathan wanted the celebration to feel like a vacation. To that end, they planned a rooftop welcome party, where everyone could mix, mingle, and enjoy great food and drinks. Hali wore a custom gown from Kenyan designer Monica Kanari, which featured a thigh-high slit and draped bodice. Nathan wore a button down shirt from Zara, chinos, and a pair of Vans sneakers. Both the bride and groom wore custom signet rings, made. by Aqeeq Galleria, a Kenyan jeweler, with the other partner's initial. Related: 11 Common Wedding-Related Events and Parties to Know About The couple chose a "coastal cocktail" theme for their welcome party, and they encouraged guests to come in breezy, chic, and fun attire. "It was so special to have all of our closest friends and family together in one space and for everyone from all different streams of our two lives, both separate and together, getting to meet," Hali notes. Guests enjoyed appetizers and three signature cocktails while taking in the view of the beach just beyond. "We had a time for people to give short speeches or words of encouragement, which was really special," the bride shares. "Several siblings spoke, all four of our parents shared something, and many friends said some really loving, meaningful words that made us both feel really supported and cared for." Choosing their wedding date and venue were the hardest planning tasks; finding a time that worked for all their family members and friends to travel to Kenya was tricky, but late June proved ideal for everyone involved. Then, they needed to select a venue with availability during that time that could also accommodate their 17 loved ones for the weekend. "The Beach Palace matched the aesthetic and vibes we were looking for and could every part of the weekend," the bride says. "Plus, it also fits up to 18 people!" Hali and Nathan invited their guests to the wedding weekend using the Minted + BRIDES Wedding Color of the Year 2025 stationery. Verona Sunset was the perfect pop of color amidst their otherwise neutral nuptials. Related: The Minted + Brides Verona Sunset Wedding Color of the Year Stationery Collection "I really wanted to look like myself, so I made the decision to do my own makeup," Hali says of her big-day beauty vision. "I wanted a bronzy, dewy makeup look." The two hero products in her routine? Dior's "Forever Matte" foundation and the ONE/SIZE "On 'Til Dawn" mattifying waterproof setting spray ("This product kept my makeup on and looking great the whole day—and it didn't transfer to Nathan's face!"). Her go-to hairstylist, Nelly, traveled to Kenya from Nairobi just for the day, and they decided on a half-up, half-down look that was slicked back at the front with lots of holding spray. "I learned from the night before how windy it might be," Hali explains of the decision to choose a wind-proof hairstyle. For Hali, getting to try on wedding dresses was both one of her favorite parts of the process and the most challenging. While she loved getting to see so many different styles, she admits that it led to what she calls "analysis-paralysis." When she tried on her strapless Watters wedding dress, though, she knew she didn't need to see anything else. "When I put on this dress, I truly felt like myself. I felt like a bride. It felt like me," she says. Later in the day, she paired the basque-waist gown with an airy neck scarf, which was custom made by Monica Kanari, who also handled her alterations. "I never really pictured myself in a veil, which turned out to be a great choice since it was very windy that day," Hali says. She also wore two-toned jewel earrings from Jennifer Behr and high heels that were comfortable enough for all-day wear while also helping to bridge the 16-inch height difference between her and Nathan. In the end, a white wedge from Castañer won out. Funny enough, Nathan saw Hali try this wedding dress on. "The day I tried on the dress, I was filming a partnership with Anthropologie and my sister-in-law and Nathan were with me," the bride remembers. "Nathan saw me try on the dresses, but to him everything pretty much looked the same, so he didn't remember which was which or what I ended up going with." Nathan selected a herringbone linen suit from Banana Republic in a deep tan color. He finished his look with a linen shirt and Mr. Porter shoes. A first look was a non-negotiable for the bride and groom. "We wanted to get our portraits out of the way so that we could be fully present and spend time with our guests," Hali explains. Plus, she says, as a content creator, she knew that the pre-ceremony light would be perfect for photos, and she didn't want to miss out on the golden glow. Though it was a practical decision, Hali and Nathan were both pleased that they had time to connect ahead of the ceremony. "It was just nice to have a few minutes together, including time alone, just before the ceremony began," Hali says. She and Nathan watched their guests take in the ceremony space for the first time and find their seats, something they'll always remember. The ceremony was held on the venue's vast lawn, where they were able to carve out their own intimate backdrop for a vow exchange. "Given that we had a small number of guests, we had a short aisle, which was lined beautifully with various white flowers on the ground leading the 'altar' that was also encircled by flowers," Hali says. Guests were seated in neutral-colored cane-back chairs with white cushions and given white parasols to shield them from the hot sun. The seats, Hali explained, were intentionally angled to create a semi-circle like arrangement "to give the feeling of an embrace with our people, our community, as if they were hugging us throughout the ceremony." Nathan's niece, Poppy, served as their flower girl; her adorable entrance served as the beginning of the ceremony's processional. Hali and her dad then entered to an instrumental rendition of "Dangerously in Love" by Beyoncé. The groom's brother, James, officiated their ceremony. "It was not particularly traditional, but really felt personal and unique to us," Hali says. "It was comprised of three sets, each with an image of what marriage looks like: a commitment to the land, a commitment to our community, and a commitment to each other, which was our vows." During the second commitment, which was focused on community, the couple's rings were passed around to guests as part of a warming ceremony. "Everyone got to hold both of our rings in their hands and pass a blessing or prayer over them before they made their way back to us," Hali notes. Then, the couple exchanged vows they wrote themselves. Hali admits she penned hers at 6 a.m. on the morning of the wedding. "This was the biggest highlight of the wedding for us," she says. "Having first started dating over nine years, it felt special to be able to speak our love for each other and make our promises in front of our people." "Having Nathan's brother officiate our ceremony was really special," Hali adds. "It spoke to the evolution of the two brothers' relationship as well as James' ability to understand and put beautiful words to our story and vision for our marriage." At the end of the ceremony, guests showered the newlyweds with flower petals as they made their way back up the aisle. Related: 45 Unique Wedding Send-Off Ideas for an Unforgettable Exit Signature drinks weren't the only things on offer during cocktail hour: Guests were also given personalized notes handwritten by the bride and groom. "We wrote everyone, straight down to our friends' ten-month-old daughter, notes of gratitude that let them know just what they mean to us," Hali says. "That was a lot of notes—these were each at least a page long!" But the effort, she and Nathan note, was well worth it: Guests were understandably emotional as they read the bride and groom's heartfelt words. The reception was held on a nearby section of lawn, where one long table was arranged beneath string lights. Seating everyone at the same table was important to the bride and groom, who emphasized connectivity and intimacy at every turn. In keeping with the day's neutral aesthetic, Hali and Nathan selected white linen tablecloths and napkins, white ceramic plates, and gold flatware for their tables. A "runner" of clustered centerpieces, comprised of a variety of different white flowers, lined the table, and candles in varying heights and sizes added a warm glow to the space. The bride and groom took in the reception space before inviting guests to join them for an evening of delicious food, speeches, and community. "We were sitting under a beautiful, clear, starry sky that evening," Hali notes of the wedding day's perfect weather. For dinner, guests enjoyed a first course of butternut squash soup and porcini mushroom risotto. Next, everyone enjoyed garlic lobster, Swahili coconut fish, and coconut rice. As a third course, the couple served 21-day aged roasted beef, ginger barbecue chicken, grilled garden vegetables, and roasted potatoes. The bride's sister, her maid of honor, offered the first toast of the evening, before the groom's best friend, his best man, took up the mic. Hali and Nathan snuck away between dinner and dessert so the bride could change into her second look of the day, which just so happened to be the gown her mom wore on her own wedding day 28 years earlier. "I did some small alterations to the dress to fit me and changed the bottom from lace, which dated it, to a scalloped bottom instead," Hali explains. "Monican Kanari also restored the beadwork." The couple returned and shared their first dance to "At Last" by Etta James. After, they invited everyone in attendance to join them on the grassy dance floor. Related: 91 Incredible First Dance Songs for Your Wedding Dessert was a highlight of the evening. Instead of traditional wedding cake, each guest was served a slice of millefoglie; passion fruit sorbet, tiramisu, panna cotta, cannolis, and eclairs were also available throughout the evening. Related: 44 Creative Wedding Dessert Bar Ideas To close out the wedding weekend, Hali and Nathan invited everyone to join them for a pool party and beach barbecue. "We stuck around, rather than shooting straight off to a honeymoon, because we wanted to maximize time with our friends and family who traveled so far," Hali explains. "Planning a wedding is no joke," Hali says. "It comes with a lot of stressful decisions, but we were ultimately really happy with the vendors, venue, and wedding we had. Navigating it all with Nathan made it much easier since we just felt like we were a team. We were doing it together—the hard parts and the easy parts."Wedding Photographer Stories Matter Wedding Planner and Flowers Aura Event Planners Wedding Venue The Beach Palace Bride's Hair Nelly of Team Wow Beauty Salon Catering Non Solo Gelato by Anna Music DJ Elonn Invitations and Paper Goods Minted Videographer The Gray Canvas ProductionUp Next: How to Manage Wedding-Planning Stress Read the original article on Brides
