Gathuru MburuAfrican Biodiversity Network

ABN’s work with sacred site Guardians

History:

ABN initiated community dialogues with elders in 2004.

Elders identified protection and regeneration of sacred sites and related practices as a priority.

Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia.

Inspired by learning exchanges with indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon.

Initiated learning exchanges between communities in Africa.

ABN’s sacred sites work (cont.)

Strategy:

Elder-led community dialogues on sanctity of Nature.Inter-generational learning with elders and youth.Potentizing sacred sites through revival of ritual cycles.Taking advantage of existing legal/policy opportunities.National and regional exchange visits for inspiration,

sharing lessons and experiences.Deriving meaning and strength from stories and laws of

origin for communities - cosmologies

Key relationships

Key relationships (cont)

Ritual cycle

Ritual cycle (cont)

Case study: Inoculating Kivaa Hill in Kenya

Kivaa Hill, Eastern Province of Kenya, is primary Sacred Forest of a system of Scared Sites in the area.

This system was badly degraded until Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) begun to work with elders.

Through community dialogues the Sacred Site Guardians were empowered to hold a series of inoculating rituals to prevent people from violating these sites.

Since then the Kivaa Hill has been left in peace and has rapidly regenerated.

Elders also developed by-laws for the protection of the Hill.

Before inoculation

Reviving local ritual cycle and eco-calendarThe last time the required rituals were carried out

was in 1967.This resulted in loss of livestock, bad harvests and

degradation of the ecosystem.In 2009, as a result of community dialogues, the

community began to carry out their rituals again to pray for rain and bless their seeds before planting.

Also rituals for pest and insect controlAnd rituals for cooling the new produce and fodder

for animals before harvesting.This year they had a bumper harvest produced

without pesticides.

After inoculation

A good harvest after the rituals

Main Challenges being faced

Resistance from mainstream faiths.Slow pace of adoption of practices by young

people.Delays in conducting rituals due to changed

lifestyles

Seeds for re-stocking

GratiasThank you

Ahsante sanaNiwega muno