- The community said they are aware the government is soon going to fence off its forest facilities.
- The Shaviringa Cultural Forests Group added that they fully support President William Ruto’s agenda of planting trees to overcome challenges posed by climate change.
Image: FILE
Members of the Tiriki sub-tribe of the Luhya community have written to the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) seeking to be allowed to use local forests for traditional circumcision activities.
In a letter by the Shaviringa Cultural Forests Group, the community noted that the Tiriki Msituni Cultural Circumcision takes place every five years.
“We kindly would like to continue using the forests for our cultural activities as it has been a tradition since time immemorial,” the letter read.
The group said they are aware the government is soon going to fence off its forest facilities (Kibiri/Kakamega forests) anytime now.
“Please avail the gates that lead to Kavunyonjes and Tsirhumbi areas that are in the forest facilities,” the letter added.
They added that the affected Kavunyonjes and Tsirhumbi areas include Musunji/Shitakwa, Muleo A. /Ing’aalwa, Nandwa/Mitaro, Makuchi/Kaika, Kivwenheji/Masambu, Ivushishi Butsotso/Mwanga, Kapsabet Showground/Mwanga, Kapsasur Mwanga, Sirwa/Solomon, Moi’s Bridge Matunda/Mwanga and Musanyi/Mwanga among others.
The letter added that the community has playing fields that are used for dancing during the ceremonies. The group also requested the county government of Vihiga to protect the fields for them.
They said the fields are in Shamakhokho, Senende, Seremi, Kapkangani, Bulukhombe, Showground, Kapsasur and Danger among other areas.
The group acknowledged East Africa Friends Mission for “appreciating and understanding” the importance of their culture by allowing them to use some parts of their land for the ceremonies.
The community also appealed to Kaimosi Friends University to allow them to use part of its fields for the activities.
“We understand that one of the university’s goals is to promote culture. The only way to appreciate our culture is by honouring cultural fields that are within the land,” they added.
The Shaviringa Cultural Forests Group added that they fully support President William Ruto’s agenda of planting trees to overcome challenges posed by climate change.
“We hereby request the Kenya Forest Service to incorporate us in planting trees in our cultural forests by providing us with the seedlings.
They further noted that before COVID-19, they had a workshop with KFS at the Mago area where it was agreed that the government may fence the forests but have gates at various points.