Hiistoriya

Hiistoriya is a digital platform that seeks to conserve and promote the culture and history of the East African coast. We are researching, collating and disseminating history and cultural heritage while linking it to present-day practice. We aim to decolonise, digitise and safeguard cultural heritage and history and provide a safe space to challenge the stories of today that have been shaped by a distorted view from the past.

The name Hiistoriya has a dual meaning, in classic Swahili it means history, while in contemporary Swahili, “hii stori ya” is slang for “the story of…”. The platform is a bridge between the past, present and the future. Hiistoriya interlinks our history with our current cultural traditions and practices while weaving a future of greater self-awareness.