In the 16th century, when hostile tribes threatened the Mijikenda indigenous communities living in southern Somalia, they found refuge in the coastal lowland forests of Kenya. Over the centuries, they started to manage and protect these forests, commonly known as the Kayas, based on their spiritual beliefs and cultural practices. But today, in the wake of modernisation and social transformation, they find it hard to hold on to their traditional beliefs and practices. And unfortunately, they are not alone. They are one of many communities around the globe struggling to keep their knowledge systems alive that have helped them conserve the natural world for centuries. So, in the wake of the disappearing knowledge systems, will the Mijikendas be able to continue to protect the same forests that once protected them?

As we stand in the midst of a climate crisis, do we need to look more consciously at the traditional knowledge and belief systems of local communities alongside science in conservation? Or can science alone help address the climate crisis?

Are Biocultural Heritage Territories the answer? Or is it the art of knowledge-making in conversation that is equally important?

Episode contributors:

Chemuku Wekesa, PhD, Landscape Ecologist, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KFRI)

Krystyna Swiderska, Principal Researcher (agriculture and biodiversity), Natural Resources, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

Yuvan Aves, ecologist, naturalist, author, nature educator, and co-founder and Trustee of Palluyir Trust for Nature Education and Research, India

Hosted and produced by: Pooja Chowdhary

Links to full episodes:

Can Biocultural Heritage Territories save Kenya’s Kaya sacred forests? https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/2Jdzv1FPIsb

Rediscover your connection with the natural world with Yuvan Aves. https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/uRgizcpUSsb

More information available at:

Towards a Biocultural Heritage Territory in Rabai Cultural Landscape: exploring Mijikenda cultural values and practices for sustainable development:

https://pubs.iied.org/20366g

Biocultural Heritage Territories of IIED:

https://biocultural.iied.org/indigenous-biocultural-territories

Palluyir Trust: https://palluyirtrust.org

Audio credits:

Episode intro outro music:  Love and Inspire: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

African Moon by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

Bountiful by Podington Bear is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License.

Mijikenda welcome song: Recorded by Chemuku Wekesa.

How forests are protected in Kenya | WWF. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6mQdaHbY4U (0:06 -0:30 seconds)

Sound Effects:

Seawash, waves, Rising Tide On Rocks: BBC SFX Archives (copyright-free)

Africa, Zaire, Street, Kasigani, Some Traffic--Bike Bells, Car Horns, Footsteps And Distinct Speech: BBC SFX Archives (copyright-free)

Africa, Cameroun, Birds and Insects, Mid Morning, Rainforest: BBC SFX Archives (copyright-free)