Sacred Kaya forests: Role in enhancing food security, climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation among the Mijikenda community in Kenya
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Sacred Kaya forests, located in Kenya’s coastal plains and hills, are sacred forests of the Mijikenda ethnic community. These forests have been preserved since the 16th century as sacred places where prayers, rituals and sacrifices take place, and their integrity and sanctity have been safeguarded by a council of Kaya elders who employ a system of taboos and traditional rules to protect the forests. Kaya forests provide vital ecosystem services such as biomass energy, food, air and water purification, pollination, seed dispersal, climate modification and soil stabilization which support local livelihoods. Despite their importance, rapid population growth, infrastructural development, cultural erosion and overdependence on natural resources by local communities are causing extensive degradation of Kaya forests with negative implications on biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods. A study was conducted to assess the role of Kaya forests in enhancing food security, community adaptation to climate change and biodiversity conservation among the Mijikenda community. Household questionnaires, focus group discussions, community meetings and transect walks were used to collect data amongst communities living adjacent to Rabai Kaya landscape in Kenya. The study revealed that Kaya forests are biodiversity hotspots. The diverse flora and fauna of the Kaya forests are sources of genetic resources for food, forestry and agriculture, and mitigate the loss of variability of plant genetic resources for food security and adaptation to climate change. The study recommends protection of traditional knowledge and strengthening of traditional governance systems such as the Kaya council of elders which underpin the conservation of Kaya forests for enhanced conservation and socio-economic benefits.
Key words: Kaya forests, biodiversity, food security, adaptation and Mijikenda
ID: 3486805