How Our Ancestors Warned Us About Climate Change

The land has always told stories in the heart of Kenya, where vast savannahs meet rolling hills. Stories whispered by the rustling leaves of the muratina tree, carried by the migratory birds crossing the skies, and etched into the rhythms of the seasons. Long before climate change became a global buzzword, our ancestors, farmers, pastoralists, and forest dwellers listened carefully to these natural messages and passed down warnings wrapped in proverbs, rituals, and traditions.

The Rain That Didn’t Come

Let me take you back to a village near Lake Nakuru, where my grandmother once told me about the years when the rains delayed for weeks on end. “The birds stopped singing,” she said, “and even the crickets were silent.” The elders observed unusual signs: the flowering of the mugumo tree was late, the migratory birds came back thinner and fewer in number, and the rivers, usually teeming with life, trickled dry.

For our ancestors, these weren’t just odd occurrences but clear warnings. A delayed or failed rainy season meant the earth was out of balance, the ancestors were displeased, or that the spirits protecting the land needed to be appeased. They held rainmaking ceremonies, offered sacrifices, and taught younger generations to respect the delicate dance of nature.

Nature’s Signs: Stories Written in Animals and Trees

Among the Maasai, the behaviour of the wildebeest was a vital environmental indicator. Elders would watch herds carefully. If the wildebeest changed their migration patterns or avoided certain grazing grounds, it meant those areas were deteriorating. Similarly, the Kikuyu people observed the blooming patterns of trees and the migration of birds to forecast weather changes.

There is a proverb: “Miti haivunjwi kwa shoka moja”—a tree is not cut down with one axe stroke. This taught patience and reverence for nature, warning against reckless exploitation. Our ancestors knew that disrespecting the land meant risking droughts, famine, and disease.

Sacred Spaces as Environmental Guardians

The Kaya forests of the Mijikenda are a perfect example of traditional conservation. These forests were not just trees but sacred sites, protected fiercely by the community through spiritual practices. No one dared cut trees or hunt animals within these areas. In doing so, the forests thrived, acting as natural water catchments and biodiversity hotspots.

Such spiritual ties to nature functioned as early climate resilience strategies. Protecting these sacred spaces maintained the environment’s capacity to buffer extreme weather and sustain local communities.

Rituals: More than Spiritual Acts

When drought struck or floods came unexpectedly, rituals were not just prayers; they were communal moments to acknowledge environmental imbalance. The ceremonies served as calls to action, encouraging people to reflect on their relationship with the earth and modify their behaviours.

Today, scientists tell us climate change is caused by greenhouse gases, deforestation, and unsustainable farming. But our ancestors saw these problems through a holistic lens, where human actions, spiritual balance, and environmental health were inseparable.

Lessons for Today

The world is facing a climate crisis on an unprecedented scale. Yet, the early warnings from our ancestors remain relevant. Their wisdom teaches us to observe, listen deeply, and respect natural cycles. Modern climate models are powerful, but they can benefit from integrating indigenous knowledge to create solutions that are culturally meaningful and sustainable.

Reconnecting with these stories could empower communities to rebuild resilience, reminding us all that climate change isn’t just a scientific problem; it’s a profound challenge to our relationship with the earth.

Closing Thought

As we move forward, let’s honour the voices of those who came before us, the custodians of the land whose warnings echo through the ages. By blending their knowledge with modern science, we can forge a path to a healthier, more balanced future for Kenya and the world.