The name Jumba la Mtwana means 'the large house of the slave' but, in the absence of written records, it is impossible to tell whether this was the village's rightful name seven centuries ago. There are more questions than answers about life in this picturesque little village by the ocean. It must have been a beautiful village in its time.

The main mosque stands by a white crystal beach against which light turquoise waters dance and ripple, catching the brilliance of the golden sun. The mosque is large with a beautiful mihrab (a niche showing the direction of Mecca) in the north wall. There are no roofs on the buildings - only the old coral stone walls are left standing.

Walking through the mosque grounds one notices a shallow well where centuries ago the faithful must have come to cleanse themselves before prayers. The well now stands empty, as do several cisterns nearby. A little distance away is a tomb with a faded inscription from the Koran.

The Arabic text reads: "Every soul shall taste death. You will simply be paid your wages in full on the Day of Resurrection. He who is removed from the fire and made to enter heaven, he it is who has won the victory. The earthly life is only a delusion."

Nobody knows why the settlement was abandoned. Perhaps the inhabitants moved to better places or the fresh water run out. The secret lies well guarded in the crumbling walls, and in the shade of giant baobab trees.