ASSESSMENT OF CULTURE VALUES AND ASSOCIATION OF THE KIT-MIKAYI LANDSCAPE

Abstract

Community protected landscapes play significant but often silent role in providing cultural ecosystem services. Kit-Mikayi site serves as a sacred site for the local community and has recently shown great potential as a tourist destination in the Western Kenya tourist circuit. However there is little objective information about the unique character of the site and associated cultural values held by the community. The objective of this study was to determine symbolic meaning of ecological features and assess the linkage with cultural values of the community for landscape interpretation. This study employed survey research approach using questionnaires administered to cross-section of the residents and onsite observations. Different songs, dances and narration were identified, recorded and categorised according to their meaning and features represented on site. These were analysed as dependent variables against the characteristics of the respondents. The results showed that dominant songs of various types were those of ramogi 34% and dudu dances at 17%. Ecotourism rated high as at 33% as having good potential for economic venture by age group between 19 and 40. Social variables of the respondents like gender, age and education, determined how they perceived the site. Undergraduate level of education (88%), males (76%) and female (63%).