Rabai
Encyclopedia
Rabai, also Rabai Mpya, is a historic location in Kilifi District
in the Coast Province
of Kenya
about 12 miles northwest of the city of Mombasa
. It is the first place in Kenya where missionaries of the Church Missionary Society, CMS, established a Christian mission.
Johann Ludwig Krapf
came to Rabai in 1844 with his pregnant wife Rosine, whom he had married in Egypt
. Shortly afterwards on 9 June 1844, his wife died of malaria
. At the time of her death, Krapf was also taken ill and their newborn infant died 3 days later. They were buried at Rabai. In 1846 Krapf together with Johannes Rebmann
set up a mission at Rabai. Dr. Krapf learnt the local languages and translated the bible into Swahili. The people of Rabai are known as Rabai (Warabai in Swahili
) and their language is also known as Rabai (kirabai in Swahili). They are one of the nine tribes known as Mijikenda
.
The Krapf Museum also known as the Rabai Museum was founded in memory of Krapf and his work in the area. The Rabai festival is an annual event held in November to celebrate the history, life and culture of the Rabai and their small town.
Kilifi District
Kilifi District is an administrative district in the Coast Province of Kenya. Its capital is coastal town Kilifi. The district has a population of 281,552 .The district is located north and northeast of Mombasa...
in the Coast Province
Coast Province
Coast Province of Kenya, along the Indian Ocean, is one of Kenya's seven administrative provinces outside Nairobi. It comprises the Indian Ocean coastal strip with the capital city at Mombasa and is inhabited by the Mijikenda and Swahili, among others...
of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
about 12 miles northwest of the city of Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
. It is the first place in Kenya where missionaries of the Church Missionary Society, CMS, established a Christian mission.
Johann Ludwig Krapf
Johann Ludwig Krapf
Johann Ludwig Krapf was a German missionary in East Africa, as well as an explorer, linguist, and traveler. Krapf played an important role in exploring East Africa with Johannes Rebmann. They were the first Europeans to see Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro...
came to Rabai in 1844 with his pregnant wife Rosine, whom he had married in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. Shortly afterwards on 9 June 1844, his wife died of malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
. At the time of her death, Krapf was also taken ill and their newborn infant died 3 days later. They were buried at Rabai. In 1846 Krapf together with Johannes Rebmann
Johannes Rebmann
Johannes Rebmann was a German missionary and explorer credited with feats including being the first European, along with his colleague Johann Ludwig Krapf, to enter Africa from the Indian Ocean coast. In addition, he was the first European to find Kilimanjaro...
set up a mission at Rabai. Dr. Krapf learnt the local languages and translated the bible into Swahili. The people of Rabai are known as Rabai (Warabai in Swahili
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
) and their language is also known as Rabai (kirabai in Swahili). They are one of the nine tribes known as Mijikenda
Mijikenda
The Mijikenda are the nine ethnic groups along the coast of Kenya, from the border of Somalia in the north to the border of Tanzania in the south...
.
The Krapf Museum also known as the Rabai Museum was founded in memory of Krapf and his work in the area. The Rabai festival is an annual event held in November to celebrate the history, life and culture of the Rabai and their small town.