By the 19th century, Lamu was supplying oceangoing dhows with ivory, oil, seeds, animal hides, tortoiseshell, hippo teeth, and slaves in large quantities.
sajandiks varustas Lamu ookeanidausid suures koguses elevandiluu, õli, seemnete, loomanahkade, kilpkonnakilpide, jõehobuhammaste ja orjadega.