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‘Kaya’: a fortified settlement whose cultural spaces are indispensable for the enactment of living traditions that underscore the identity, continuity and cohesion of the Mijikenda communities. The Mijikenda is a group of nine Bantu-speaking ethnic groups in the Kaya forests of coastal Kenya, for whom performing arts related to the sacred forests is central to their identity [1]. In this way, the forest is not simply a landscape for them, it is intrinsic to their culture. The language that names this culture is inseparable from their related knowledge, and is not limited to only this community, either; in Kenya, almost seventy languages are spoken. In these languages, like many others worldwide, the relationship between Mother Tongue and Mother Nature is profound. As forests disappear, however, so does the specialised vocabulary that communities have for centuries used to navigate environmental matters. This is called ‘biocultural loss’; the decline or extinction of the mutually adaptive relationships between biological diversity and cultural diversity, representing a co-erasure of ecological variety and associated Indigenous or local knowledge systems, languages, and practices [2].
UNESCO estimates that one Indigenous language disappears every two weeks, bringing with it the loss of local environmental knowledge. Without this knowledge and ability to communicate with the specifics of the linguistic culture of the community that accumulated it, we run the risk of losing the nuance of it altogether. We must therefore work together worldwide to learn from one another and exchange ideas, yet when language becomes a barrier, such as when one which carries with it rich local knowledge, millions are excluded from the conversation.
Kenya is incredibly vulnerable to climate change, and the loss of forest comes along with it. This is why Word Forest’s work is so important; restoring forests in Kenya means restoring the conditions in which the transmission of local knowledge can once again occur, and as a consequence, local communities can share their connection with nature in a precise and personal manner (as, after all, our language is inextricably linked from our perspective). Our connection with nature is an incredibly personal matter, one which can only be fully expressed through our native languages.
It’s well-known now that the ‘Lingua Franca’ of science, being English, prevents billions from taking part in environment-related discussions, as the information is simply not made available to those who don’t speak it. Hence, the vital contributions of local communities in climate action are diminished. But what is being done to combat this? Efforts made remain underfunded and underdeveloped, and the digital divide furthers the issue; even when materials are translated, many of the communities whose knowledge is most needed lack reliable access to the internet. The result is a paradox in which those with the deepest, most long-standing relationship with the land are the least able to influence the decisions made about it. Bridging this gap demands not only linguistic translation but a fundamental restructuring of who is invited to the table, and on whose terms the conversation is conducted.
The baobab tree, known as “mbuyu” in Swahili, is often called the “Tree of Life” in Africa [3], standing as testament to the profound interconnectedness between nature and culture. During the wet season, it absorbs and retains water in its trunk, which then allows it to produce fruit in the dry season, leading to its name – Baobab trees are not only of ecological importance, but are deeply linked with communities. Each tree, like the baobab, carries its own unique significance, embodying a relationship that transcends simple utility and becomes an inextricable part of many cultures. Where the Forest goes, the Word goes with it.
“We may be a small community and not have much, but we can make things happen.”
Evaline Jefwa, Word Forest Lead Facilitator, Kenyan Team
References:
1. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists (Retrieved: 2026-03-19)
2. Sustainability Directory https://sustainability-directory.com/ (Retrieved: 2026-03-19)
3. Aduna Superfoods https://aduna.com/ (Retrieved: 2026-03-19)