Introduction

For the past two weeks, I’ve been immersed in an incredible project by United Nations Development Programme Accelerator labs, in partnership with Pwani University, Kaya Kauma, and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund. Our mission? To explore how AI could be leveraged to promote sustainable tourism, with the ancestral home of the Kauma people, Kaya Kauma, serving as our fascinating testbed.

Discovering Kaya Kauma

Kaya Kauma, for those unfamiliar, is where the Mijikenda community in Kenya originated. My time there was a deep dive into their rich culture. I uncovered ancient wisdom hidden within the sacred Kauma forest, savored their delicious traditional cuisine, and was utterly captivated by the energetic rhythms of their African drum music.

The AI and Sustainable Tourism Challenge

Beyond the cultural immersion, my primary task was to find a way to promote sustainable tourism with AI. Our approach was simple yet, we hope, effective: the world needs to know about Kaya Kauma – how they lived, and whether their way of life was in harmony with nature. This curiosity naturally led me to investigate their unique dispute resolution methods.

Traditional Justice and Harmony

The Kauma people, I discovered, not only strived for harmony among themselves but also with the natural world. My visits to the forest clearly demonstrated that their justice system prioritized harmony over vengeance. I learned about several fascinating concepts:

  • ‘Malu’ - a fine paid by the wrongdoer to the wronged
  • ‘Kore’ - a truly fascinating concept where a murderer replaced the murdered as compensation to the bereaved family
  • ‘Chiraho Chatsoka’ - a judgment delivered by a spiritual leader (mganga) to reveal the truth through a sacred oath

Collaboration and Learning

Throughout this intense, short, and incredibly enjoyable experience, I had the privilege of collaborating with colleagues from diverse fields – sociology, linguistics, and tourism. Together, we fleshed out content that will introduce the wonders of Kaya Kauma to the world.

I also learned how to make videos during these sessions from Michael Kibuku, which was an invaluable skill. I extend my deepest gratitude to Victor Awuor (UNDP) and Michael Kibuku for this unforgettable adventure.

Conclusion

This project beautifully demonstrated how technology and traditional wisdom can work together to preserve and promote cultural heritage while supporting sustainable tourism development. The experience has left me with a deep appreciation for the Mijikenda way of life and their harmonious relationship with nature.