Voices from the Ground Reshape Heritage Dialogue in Nairobi

Timbuktu, Mali:

Mr. El-Alboukari Ben Essayouti eloquently represented the historic city of Timbuktu, painting a vivid and moving picture of its profound historical and cultural significance as an enduring centre of Islamic scholarship and a vital node in trans-Saharan trade. He spoke with deep reverence of the iconic mosques and the immeasurable intellectual wealth contained within the invaluable collection of over 3000 meticulously digitized ancient manuscripts. Recounting the devastating impact of the 2012 attacks, he emphasized the remarkable community resilience in the face of such trauma and the ongoing, collaborative restoration efforts, while also raising critical concerns about the potentially damaging encroachment of modern development that threatens the traditional cultural heritage deeply rooted in the indigenous banco (mud brick) architecture. His powerful and heartfelt plea resonated with a profound sense of ancestral ownership and a deep commitment to preserving Timbuktu's unique cultural identity.

Lake Chad Region:

The presentation on the Lake Chad transboundary project stressed the critical and urgent need for robust regional cooperation and the establishment of strong and genuinely collaborative local partnerships in the sustainable management of the shared natural and cultural resources of this vital region. The complex and often politically charged nature of resource management, the paramount importance of adhering to stringent ethical standards in all interventions, and the persistent challenges of securing adequate and sustained funding for impactful community-driven initiatives were all brought to the forefront of the discussion. The significant and growing threat posed by the invasive Typha australis plant and the innovative community-led initiatives aimed at its effective and sustainable management, requiring rigorous scientific analysis, were also key points of discussion.

Abomey Palaces, Benin:

Mr. Gabin Bernard Djimasse provided a meticulously detailed and insightful overview of the Royal Palaces of Abomey, emphatically emphasizing their rich historical and profound cultural significance as an enduring testament to the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey. He discussed the ongoing and crucial preservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding this invaluable World Heritage site, the persistent challenges of site maintenance in the face of environmental pressures, and the recent symbolic and deeply meaningful restitution of invaluable cultural objects from France, a momentous event that has significantly ignited a renewed sense of national pride and a heightened awareness of Benin's rich cultural heritage. He concluded with a compelling and urgent call for increased and sustained governmental investment in proactively safeguarding Benin's irreplaceable cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations.

Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe:

His Royal Highness Chief Hwange eloquently articulated the deep spiritual and intrinsic cultural significance of the majestic Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) to the local communities who have coexisted with this awe-inspiring natural wonder for countless generations, passionately advocating for African-centered definitions of authenticity that truly reflect indigenous worldviews and spiritual connections to the land. He raised pertinent and long-standing concerns about restrictive heritage laws that often inadvertently limit community access to essential resources and traditional practices, the delicate and often fraught balance between conservation imperatives and the genuine sustainable development needs of local populations, the paramount importance of transmitting invaluable cultural knowledge, time-honored traditions, and ancestral wisdom across generations, and the urgent need to meticulously document the irreplaceable wealth of oral histories and provide robust and meaningful support for local culture and its vibrant expressions.

Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda:

Mr. Kameli Zephaniia Bwambale delivered a powerful presentation illuminating the profound cultural and spiritual significance of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains for the resilient Bakonzo community. He meticulously detailed their intricate cosmology, the tangible and increasingly devastating impact of climate change on the once-permanent and spiritually significant glaciers and their traditional cultural practices deeply intertwined with the mountain environment, the deep and inseparable connection between their unique identity as a people and the surrounding environment they call home, key tangible cultural resources and practices, and the escalating threats posed by environmental degradation and encroaching industrial activities. He emphatically stressed the urgent need for a holistic and integrated approach to heritage preservation that accords deep and respectful recognition to local cultural custodianship, the invaluable insights of traditional ecological knowledge accumulated over generations, and the critical importance of platforms like this conference for fostering genuine collaboration and ensuring that local voices are heard and respected in all conservation efforts.

Mijikenda Kaya Sacred Forests, Kenya:

Mr. Hillary Mwatsuma eloquently and passionately described the profound spiritual and deeply interwoven cultural significance of the Kaya forests and the kigango, the sacred and ritually carved wooden memorial statue that serves as a vital and tangible link to their revered departed ancestors, known collectively as adzimu. He meticulously detailed the sacred rituals involved in its creation and highlighted its symbolic adornment with three specific colours, each carrying profound meaning within their cultural cosmology: pristine white, signifying duty to the community and ancestors, the purity of ancestral lineage, and spiritual purity; vibrant red, representing the sacred fire, the vital life force, spiritual energy, and the presence of the Holy Spirit; and serene blue, symbolizing divinity, the vastness of the heavens, the presence of God the Father, and the eternal nature of the spirit. He then addressed the deeply concerning and profoundly impactful issue of vigango looting and the ongoing, albeit challenging, repatriation efforts, including the significant return of 85 in 2023. The persistent challenges in accurately identifying the specific origins of the repatriated vigango and the potential for utilizing traditional methods like ancestral divination to aid in their rightful and timely return to their specific Kaya were also key points of his moving and deeply significant testimony.

Mr. Jimbi Katana, a highly respected elder and the dedicated manager of the Mijikenda Kaya Sacred Forests, powerfully reaffirmed the profound spiritual significance of the vigango as tangible and irreplaceable links to their ancestors, the adzimu, and the community's unwavering and resolute commitment to preserving their unique culture and invaluable heritage for future generations. He emphasized the sacred and inviolable nature of the Kaya forest and the crucial importance of their indigenous language and their deeply held belief in the continued spiritual presence of their ancestors.