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Sunday, 3 March, 2002, 15:34 GMT
Ancient forest tribe under threat
The Mau forest is being cleared to grow food
By
Ishbel Matheson in Nairobi
In Kenya's ancient Mau forest, a group of Ogiek boys are on
their journey to manhood.
In an initiation ceremony marked by secrecy and ritual, their
arrival is celebrated using the branches of sacred trees.
As warriors, the young men will be expected to protect their
homeland, 200 kilometres northwest of Nairobi.
But Kenya's last forest tribe is under threat.
Settlers are burning the
woodland to make way for fields. Trees are turning to ash.
When the Ogieks see the destruction, they wonder what will
become of their people.
"I think it's the end of our lives," says one man.
" We are no more."
Voting favours
But powerful forces are at work. It is illegal to farm here.
However poor Kenyans are desperate for food, not trees.
The government wants to open up much of Kenya's protected
woodland for settlement.
This is an election year and land means votes.
One settler, David Saang, says he is grateful for his plot of
land.
David Saang has a plot of land in the forest
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He also says he will vote for the
ruling Kanu party in the election.
Now the Ogieks are fighting back - but on unfamiliar territory.
They are trying to challenge the government in the High Court
in Nairobi.
But some have never been to the capital before, let alone a
court, and they don't know their way around the system.
Stalling tactics
The government is outwitting these people. Their lawyer tells
them the government is stalling. The case has been adjourned again
after only half an hour in court.
The Ogiek people wait for news at the
courthouse
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There is disappointment and
dejection among those who have travelled to watch the hearing.
They will come back in two months but this is virtually the
last chance for these people.
If the Ogieks do not win this court case, it is not only the
forests which will disappear.
A unique way of life will also vanish.
Link : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1849016.stm
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