The word ‘Mijikenda‘ directly translates to ‘nine villages’. The Mijikenda tribe, is one among the North-East Coastal Bantu groups, that inhabit the Kenyan coast. Like its name implies, the group consists of nine sub-tribes who share a similar cultural and linguistic heritage. Here is the catch – each subtribe speaks a different dialect of the same language. The nine clans include: Giriama, Chonyi, Kauma, Kambe, Digo, Ribe, Rabai, Duruma, and Jibana.

The Mijikenda are believed to have originated from a place in north Somalia, called Shungwaya and settled along the Kenyan coastal ridge in fortified villages known as kayas. According to their origination myth, they claim to have been driven south by the Oromo until they reached their current location.

When the Kaya forests were established during the 16th century, they majorly acted as dwelling places that were protected by the elders. Unfortunately, most of these forests are being cleared now for construction and development. The few left have been defined as sacred places that uphold the Mijikenda religious and spiritual values.