 The narrow streets of Pate town are similar to those in other towns on the island | |
 Map of Pate island | |
  Pate Island Location in Kenya | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Coordinates | 2°06′S 41°03′E / 2.100°S 41.050°E |
| Archipelago | Lamu Archipelago |
| Administration | |
Kenya | |
Pate (Paté) Island (Swahili pronunciation: [ˈpate]) is located in the Indian Ocean close to the northern coast of Kenya, to which it belongs. It is the largest island in the Lamu Archipelago, which lie between the towns of Lamu and Kiunga in the former Coast Province. The island is almost completely surrounded by mangroves.
Like much of the Swahili Coast, Pate's history was marked by a steady transition from agricultural communities in the early first millennium into a specialized, urban trading society around the 10th century, likely earlier. Islam spread down the coast from African Muslims in the Horn of Africa, helping to develop what would be known as the Swahili culture. Despite myths to the contrary, Pate was neither an Arab nor Persian colony, but an African town frequented by trading Arabs, Persians, Indians, and others. It was the centre of the Pate sultanate from the 13th–19th centuries. The Swahili port of Pate long vied with Lamu and Takwa (on Manda Island) for economic dominance of the area, and came into prominence around the 14th century. It was subjugated by Lamu, however, in the late 19th century. [citation needed]
Public transportation is provided by a few mini buses (known as matatus). The main administrative centre on the island, with the police station, is in Faza.