Mijikenda Kaya Forests

Mijikenda Kaya Forests
Photo by Michael Novins.

The Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests comprise the remains of numerous fortified villages (kayas) considered sacred by the Mijikenda people.

The kayas consist of a circular stockade in the forest, with houses and a meeting place for the elders inside. The villages were created in the 16th century but abandoned by the 1940s, and are now regarded as the abodes of ancestors. They are revered as sacred sites and, as such, are maintained by councils of elders. Access is restricted, which has had a positive impact on the forests' biodiversity.

Community Perspective: these consist of 9 kayas across 7 components, spread along the coast. Local tour operators from Mombasa can take you to a nearby kaya. Be aware that the popular Kaya Kinondo near Diani Beach is NOT part of the inscribed locations.

Map of Mijikenda Kaya Forests

Community Reviews

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Rita Maria Johnson

England - 13-Aug-09 -

The Mijikenda Kayas are a beautiful environmental and cultural sanctuary. The sacredness of the sites is incredible and visitors are not allowed to venture into certain areas but the birds and the trees make you see nature at its best. The serenity and religious awe of the sites is thrilling and I was very privileged to partake of it. There are no entry fees but a guide has to come from the nearby villages. Once in Mombasa Kenya, one can find their way to the sites which are scattered in Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa through a local tour operator. I recommend visiting the Fort Jesus museum for more information. You will definetly appreciate the calmness of the Kayas after the hustle and bustle of typical tourist zones.


Site Info

Full Name
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
Unesco ID
1231
Country
Kenya
Inscribed
2008
Type
Cultural
Criteria
3 5 6
Categories
Cultural Landscape - Associative
Link
By ID

Site History

2008 Advisory Body overruled

ICOMOS advised referral, noting number of improvements to be made

2008 Inscribed

2007 Referred

2007 Advisory Body overruled

ICOMOS advised Deferral, questioned the 36 proposed locations and management / protection

Locations

The site has 7 locations

Mijikenda Kaya Forests: Kaya Giriama
Mijikenda Kaya Forests: Kaya Jibana
Mijikenda Kaya Forests: Kaya Kambe
Mijikenda Kaya Forests: Kaya Kauma
Mijikenda Kaya Forests: Kaya Ribe
Mijikenda Kaya Forests: The Rabai Kayas
Mijikenda Kaya Forests: The Duruma Kayas

Connections

The site has

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Timeline
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WHS Names
WHS on Other Lists
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The Plaque

No plaque has been identified yet for this site.