Homelands of the Mijikenda people: Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests, Kenya

The Mijikenda Kaya Forests, located along Kenya's coast, represent the ancestral homelands of the closely related Mijikenda linguistic groups. These forests are situated on a distinctive coastal topography characterized by low sandstone hills rising parallel to the coastline, with dramatic drops to the Nyika plateau and the semi-arid Taru desert. The study highlights the cultural and ecological significance of these forests, which have been central to the Mijikenda people's identity and way of life for generations. The research approach combines geographical analysis with ethnographic insights, providing a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the Mijikenda community and their sacred forest environment.

Abungu, G. O., & Githitho, A. (2012). Homelands of the Mijikenda people: Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests, Kenya. World Heritage, 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9781139567657.017