The Takwa settlement is situated on the south side of Manda Island, in the Lamu District. It was founded around year 1500, and probably abandoned around 1700. Mr Kirkman, who found the ruins in 1952, thought that it was perhaps a place were holy men or religious people retreated. The Great Mosque at Takwa is relatively well preserved. The other structure remaining of importance is the Pillar Tomb, which has an inscription with the date of 1681-1682. It is reported that when Takwa was abandoned, its inhabitants settled just across the bay at Shela on Lamu Island.

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