Lamu town already existed in the 14th and 15th centuries and flourished more recently between 1650 and 1900. The town is said to have been founded by one or more royal immigrants from the Arabian or Persian regions on the Caliphate. In culture, Lamu belongs to the distinctive civilization called 'Swahili'.Because of the narrow streets, there are no cars on the island so donkeys are widely used to carry loads. The storied houses are built of coral rag and have a distinctive architectural style of their own.