“For inspiration architects and artisans on the Swahili Coast drew upon sources within Africa and across the Indian Ocean.
This tombstone speaks to some of the locales with which inhabitants of East Africa sought to associate themselves.
The coral stone from which it is carved was used by coastal artists as early as the ninth century.
The form—consisting of a simple arch, an outer band of calligraphy, and a central recessed panel—recalls those of contemporaneous tombstones in Egypt and Iran from the 12th to 15th centuries.
The outer band is ornately carved with vegetal patterns and flowers integrated into the text.
The simple inscription in the central recessed panel records the date of death of the deceased.”
