THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION NOMINATION DOSSIER FOR INSCRIPTION ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST THE SACRED MIJIKENDA KAYA FORESTS (KENYA) JANUARY 2008 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY State Party: Republic of Kenya Name of Property: The Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests (Serial Nomination) Geographical co-ordinates to the nearest second: Serial Name District Coordinates of Total No. Centre Point Area deg: min: sec (ha) 001 Kaya Giriama (Fungo) Kaloleni S 03 47 55 204 E 39 30 52 002 Kaya Jibana Kaloleni S 03 50 15 140 E 39 40 10 003 Kaya Kambe Kaloleni S 03 51 49 75 E 39 39 07 004 Kaya Kauma Kilifi S 03 37 14 75 E 39 44 10 005 Kaya Ribe Kaloleni S 03 53 49 36 E 39 37 58 006 The Rabai Kayas Kaloleni S 03 55 55 580 E 39 35 46 007 The Duruma Kayas Kinango S 03 59 54 398 E 39 31 25 008 Kaya Kinondo Msambweni S 04 23 36 30 E 39 32 41 Maps: See attached map of Series Note: There are no nominated buffer zones. However, the communal lands immediately outside the forest are regulated by customary laws / taboos and practices shaped by longstanding association between the local communities and the nominated sites. Justification: The Mijikenda Sacred Kaya forests are an outstanding and unique African example of how the collective attitudes and beliefs of a rural society have shaped or sculpted a landscape over time in response to prevailing needs. They contain the traces of historic fortified settlements of the Mijikenda ancestors which serve as a focus of cultural and ritual activities continuing on the sites today. In a unique way, the intangible aspects of Mijikenda heritage are supported by physical cultural features of the kayas including paths, gate sites, burial grounds, settlement sites, ritual grounds etc representing the material embodiment of their world view and traditional belief systems. Prominent on 2 hills and other strategic sites, the kaya forests are a highly aesthetic symbol of the interrelation of man and nature, a rich blend of natural and cultural values. Since their abandonment as places of settlement and refuge, the kaya forest landscapes have been transferred from the domestic, practical, material realm of significance to the spiritual sphere of Mijikenda life. As an essential part of this process certain traditional restrictions were placed on access, and the utilization of natural forest resources. The result is that the kayas have been preserved and their biodiversity sustained. However, the cultural and spiritual beliefs and associations are critical to character of the forested sites. In the African context the intangible or psychic dimensions are as important as the material, physical and natural, all the elements being essential and mutually reinforcing. The kayas provide focal points for Mijikenda cultural and spiritual values and practices, and basic identity. As a collection of sites spread over a large area, they are associated with beliefs of local and national significance, and possibly regional importance. Criteria under which Property is Nominated Criterion (iii) Bears a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared.’ Criterion (v) an outstanding example of traditional human settlement, land-use or sea-use which is representative of a culture or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change’ Criterion (vi) directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. Official Local Institution / Agency The National Museums of Kenya Post Office Box 00100 – 40658 Nairobi, Kenya Tel : (254) 020 3742131 / 4 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.museums.or.ke 3 4 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY................................................................ 8 1 (a). Country: ................................................................................................................8 1 (b). Province:...............................................................................................................8 1 (c). Name of Property: ................................................................................................ 8 1 (d). Geographical coordinates to the nearest second:............................................... 9 2. DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................... 10 2.(a) General Description of the Property ................................................................. 10 2.a (1) The Nominated Sites.................................................................................... 16 001 Kaya Giriama (Fungo) ................................................................................... 18 002 Kaya Jibana ................................................................................................... 23 003 Kaya Kambe .................................................................................................. 27 004 Kaya Kauma .................................................................................................. 30 005 Kaya Ribe ...................................................................................................... 34 006 The Rabai Kayas (Bomu & Fimboni, Mudzimuvya) ...................................... 38 007 The Duruma Kayas (Mtswakara and Gandini).............................................. 43 008 Kaya Kinondo ............................................................................................... 48 2.b History and Development of the Kayas........................................................... 51 2.(b)(1) Establishment of the Settlements.............................................................. 51 2.(b)(2) The Historical Kaya.................................................................................... 57 2.(b)(3). Decline of the Kayas as Settlements ........................................................ 61 2.(b)(4) Management and Conservation in the 20th Century ................................. 62 3. JUSTIFICATION FOR INSCRIPTION ................................................................. 67 3 (a) Criteria under which Inscription is Proposed ....................................................... 67 3 (b) Statement of Outstanding Universal Value......................................................... 69 3 (c) Comparative Analysis........................................................................................... 69 3 (d) Authenticity and Integrity..................................................................................... 74 4 STATE OF CONSERVATION ............................................................................. 75 4 (a) State of Conservation........................................................................................... 75 4 (b) Factors Affecting the Property ............................................................................. 76 5. PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT.................................................................. 79 5 (a) Ownership ............................................................................................................ 79 5 (b) Protective designation of nominated sites ........................................................... 79 5 (c) Protective Measures............................................................................................ 79 5 (d) Existing Plans relating to the Property................................................................ 80 5 (e) Property Management Plan ................................................................................. 80 5 5 (f) Sources and Levels of Finance............................................................................. 80 5 (g) Sources of expertise and training ........................................................................ 81 5 (h) Visitor facilities and statistics .............................................................................. 82 5 (i) Policies and programs promoting the property ..................................................... 82 5 (j) Staffing Levels ....................................................................................................... 83 6. MONITORING....................................................................................................... 84 6 (b) Administrative Arrangement for monitoring property.......................................... 85 6 (c) Results of Previous reporting Exercises .............................................................. 86 7. DOCUMENTATION.............................................................................................. 87 7 (a) Photographs, Image Inventory and authorization table....................................... 87 7 (b) Copies of draft property management plans and other plans ............................ 87 7 (c) and (d) Form and date of Most recent records or inventory .............................. 87 7 (e) Bibliography.......................................................................................................... 89 8. CONTACT INFORMATION OF RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY.......................... 94 8 (a) Preparer................................................................................................................ 94 8 (b) Official Local Institution / Agency ......................................................................... 94 ANNEXES.........................................................................................................................96