1:10,000 scale (2 x vertical exaggeration) Participatory 3D Model of the Mukogodo Forest, Laikipia  District, Kenya, (Nov. Dec. 2007).

Note: The model (57,600 ha or 576 km²) has been the second Participatory 3D Model constructed in Africa.

Depicted data reflect the mental maps of approximately 100 Yiaku Peoples. Elders populated the model with their memories and reconstructed the present landscape . The model displays xx data layers including different types of areas, points and lines.

Image courtesy of Peter Kuria © / Shalin

Recommended readings:

Julius Muchemi: Account of the Participatory 3D Modelling of the  Mukogodo Forest (Blog) 11 December 2007

Julius Muchemi, Peter Kuria, and Jeniffer Koinante (2008). Safeguarding Yiaku Eco-cultural Heritage in Mokogodo Indigenous Sacred Forests: Application of Participatory 3-Dimensional Modelling and Mapping, Laikipia, Kenya

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The Mukogodo is one of the last pristine forests in Kenya. Corruption, logging, uncontrolled agricultural incursion have all taken their toll on the forests of Kenya. The destruction of forests have placed traditional hunter gatherer communities in a position of vulnerability and insecurity. IPACC, ERMIS Africa and Shalin Ry have been cooperating with the Yiaku Peoples Assocation to conduct a P3DM exercise of the Mukogodo Forest. The event has been timely, as there are only 5 known speakers of the Cushitic Yiaku language (also called Yaaku and Mukogodo), making it Kenya’s most endangered language. Most Yiaku today speak Laikipia Maa, a nilotic language of herders. During the legend making process a number of words unknown to the younger generations surfaced in the discussion and a 3 language legend was produced.

The Mukogodo mapping has been a follow on on last years highly successful mapping of the Mau Forest Escarpment by the Ogiek people of Nessuit.

Image courtesy of Peter Kuria © / Shalin

Image courtesy of Peter Kuria © / Shalin

Image courtesy of Peter Kuria © / Shalin

The exercise has been made possible by the coordinated effort made by the Yiaku Peoples, ERMIS-Africa, Shalin Ry and the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC)