[2] At the time of the war the population of Lamu was estimated at between 15,000 and 21,000, and the town was expanding its trade while Pate was in decline.

[3] Both the Nabahani of Pate and their allies the Mazrui of Mombasa were recent arrivals with Arab origins.

The story is that the tide unexpectedly retreated and stranded the invaders' boats, and while they tried to float them they were massacred.

The sands of the battle site held the skulls and bones of the dead for many years.

[10] The Sultan used Fort Lamu as a base for defeating the Mazrui rebels in Mombasa, and for establishing control over the East African coast.

[8] As a result, Pouwels argues that the Battle of Shela formed a decision point in the history of the coast of Kenya.