Whisper of the Ancestors: Uncovering Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest

Hidden away south of the sun-kissed shores of Diani beach lies another haven – not of sand and sun but of silence and spirituality – known as theKaya Kinondo Sacred Forest. This is more than simply an area of primeval woods – it is a living and breathing cathedral that exudes an immense sense of the successful symbiosis of man and nature through the ages. The site has been given UNESCO world heritage status.

Entering Kaya Kinondo is like crossing an idol of time. The sunlit canopy above is so thick it actually diffuses the tropical sun's rays into a mystical greenish effulgence that wraps you in a sense of awe. The atmosphere here is cool and damp with the scents of moist soil and timeworn wood, a welcome relief from the hot sun of the coastal zones. As you trail the winding roots you actually walk on 600 years of rich history.

This forest orKayaonce had an impeccable defensive structure. It has been given the ultimate significance as a consecrated ground and the residence of the ancestors. The landscape of the forest itself exudes an intoxicating sense of spirituality with an array of circular patterns of sanctity that house gravesites and shrines of the ancestors known asmafingo.

Your guide on this journey is not only a tourist guide but a guardian of such inheritance. Your tourer is a member of the Digo sub-tribe. Furthermore, there's a brief yet very important ritual involving the removal of headgear or the wearing of a black 'kaniki' sarong.

The handbook opens the door to a world where every tree has a name, a function, and a story attached. Learn the uses of the over 180 kinds of plants that thrive here – these include rare ones found only in these lowland forests. Maybe you’ll want to hug one of these ancient, gargantuan trees – it's an act of handing over your cares and passing on your aspirations. The feeling of being in the company of great knowledge that stretches back thousands of years is exhilarating. In this world of pristine conservationism and preservation of nature that borders on the fanatical or the cult-like at least, nature conservation here simply follows the long-held traditions of the Digo.

Kaya Kinondo offers the ultimate example of community-driven conservation success. Leave the beach behind for a moment, leave your worries behind, and enter into the green silence. In the sound of the leaves and the gentle presence of the trees that have lived on for centuries, you will see not only the historical heritage of the Mijikenda tribes but also discover your own moment of momentous connection with the spirit of Africa. This feeling stays with you long after you return to the beach.