Kayas are the forested settlements of the coastal Bantu group, Mijikenda.
The Kaya (home or village in Mijikenda) serve spiritual and cultural purposes to the community that has nine sub-groups. This community believes that their ancestors lived in these forested area in fortified villages.
Kayas contain special burial areas as well as shrines for worship. Over old 50 Kayas have been identified. These homes give rural Mijikenda an identity and are valued.
This has helped the community conserve this forests making sure that its biodiversity is not lost.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the community’s effort to protect them has made 10 Kayas to be listed as world heritage sites.
The history of the Mijikenda is passed from one generation to another via oral tradition. Young people are taught how their ancestors moved from present day Somalia to the Kenyan coast.
They settled in nine villages in thick forests for the purposes of protection.
These forests have stored community history including the graves of heroes and heroines. The most special ritual is the one that is performed to maintain and enhance people’s physical and psychological health and wellbeing.
Prayers and other ceremonies are done in the Kayas. Planting, thanksgiving, good health rituals and resolution of crisis are among the activities done in Kayas.
Unfortunately, modernisation that includes education and urbanisation are threatening this culture.