Mafia Island - Ruins at Kua

The city of Kua, located on Juani Island south of Mafia, was a major trade center linking Africa to Asia and Kilwa to Zanzibar. The inhabitants of Kua were from the Persian Shiraz, who conquered Mafia in the 10th C. The ruins are located on the western side of Juani Island, covered by bush and intertwined trees. The decline of this ancient city remains unexplained but has become the subject of many legends.

The remains of Kua include several houses, one of these has a bathroom under the building with a vaulted ceiling; two mosques, dating to the 14th C, and tombs with pillars also stand nearby.