卡亚基诺多圣林(Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest)坐落在肯尼亚南部海岸迪亚尼海滩(Diani Beach)往南约10公里的地方,是米吉肯达人(Mijikenda)下属迪戈族(Digo)的精神支柱。这片占地大约30公顷的原始森林在2008年被联合国教科文组织列入世界遗产名录,与肯尼亚沿海地区其他十余处圣林共同构成了一道独特的文化屏障。这里不是那种供人随意野餐的城市公园,而是至今仍在使用中的祭祀场所,森林里的每一棵树、每一块石头都被当地人赋予了灵性。
卡亚(Kaya)这个词在当地语言里意味着居住地,16世纪左右,米吉肯达人的祖先为了躲避战争,在茂密的沿海森林中建立了防御性的村落。随着时代变迁,虽然人们搬出了森林,但祖先的陵墓和祭祀点留在了这里。卡亚基诺多是这群圣林中历史最悠久、保护最完好的一个。走进森林前,向导会告诉你,这里的一草一木都属于祖先,擅自采摘或破坏会被认为会招来不幸。这种敬畏之心让这片土地在肯尼亚沿海大开发的浪潮中奇迹般地幸存下来。
如果不算人文价值,单纯从自然角度看,卡亚基诺多也是一个活着的植物博物馆。这里的珊瑚岩上生长着极其罕见的动植物品种。最让导游骄傲的是林中几棵树龄超过1000年的参天大树,树根粗壮到需要五六个人才能合抱。由于生态环境几乎没有受到人为干扰,这里还能看到黑白疣猴(Colobus Monkey)在树冠间跳跃,以及各种色彩斑斓且名字拗口的蝴蝶。这里的空气湿度很大,泥土带着一种原始的腥甜味,那是热带雨林特有的气息。
到了景区入口,别急着往里冲。按照传统,所有进入圣林的人,无论男女,都必须在腰间围上一块名为卡尼基(Kaniki)的黑色沙笼。这种黑布象征着对祖先的尊重以及内心的纯净。向导会亲手帮你系好,并叮嘱你进入林后千万不能解开。这个动作就像一个简短的入场仪式,瞬间把游客浮躁的心态拉回到庄重肃穆的氛围中。说实话,在潮湿的热带森林里多裹一层布确实有点热,但为了这份仪式感,绝大多数游客都会觉得很值。
在卡亚基诺多,有些禁忌如果你不提前知道,可能会搞得很尴尬。林子里严禁任何形式的亲昵行为,包括情侣间的拥抱或接吻,这被视为对神灵的极大冒犯。此外,拍照也不是随心所欲的,在某些特定的祭祀点位,向导会明确要求你收起手机。最重要的一点是,不要带走森林里的任何东西,哪怕是一块漂亮的石头或者一片掉落的羽毛。这种管理方式听起来很死板,但正是这种近乎偏执的坚守,才让这片森林在过去500年里没有变样。
从迪亚尼海滩核心区出发,最方便的方式就是叫一辆突突车(Tuk-tuk),单程大概需要20到30分钟,车费可以控制在300到500肯尼亚先令之间。如果住在更远的蒙巴萨,建议包车前往。目前的门票价格对国际游客大约在1000到2000肯尼亚先令之间,具体数额偶尔会随当地社区的规定变动,建议带足现金。这笔钱的一部分会直接用于支持当地社区的学校和医疗建设,所以在这里消费也算是在做公益了。
尽量把行程安排在早晨8点到10点之间。肯尼亚沿海的正午阳光非常毒辣,虽然森林里有树荫,但那种闷热感在中午会变得很难熬。清晨的林子里鸟鸣声最响,运气好的话还能避开大批团客。至于穿着,虽然会围沙笼,但建议里面穿轻便透气的短袖和长裤,毕竟森林里的蚊虫不是闹着玩的。记得带上一瓶强力驱蚊喷雾,这里的蚊子对游客可一点都不客气。游览全程大约需要1.5到2小时,体力消耗不算大,但由于地面有很多裸露的树根和珊瑚石,穿一双防滑的徒步鞋或运动鞋会让你走得更舒服。
通常情况下不需要提前预约,直接前往入口处的接待中心即可,那里常年有社区安排的持证向导值班。不过如果你是超过10人的大团体,建议提前通过迪亚尼当地的旅行社联系,以确保有足够的人手带队讲解。每次游览都必须由向导带领,严禁独自进入森林深处。
这里的向导基本都是当地迪戈族的小伙子或姑娘,他们的英文非常流利,有些甚至能说一点简单的德语或法语。他们对森林里的每棵树都有感情,讲出来的故事不仅有历史事实,还有很多代代相传的民间传说。如果你的英文水平一般,建议提前在手机里装好翻译软件,方便交流一些有趣的民俗细节。
森林内部严禁建设任何现代设施,因此里面没有任何厕所或自动售卖机。入口处的接待区有基本的卫生设施和小卖部,但选择非常有限。建议在出发前先解决内急,并随身带好足够的饮用水。森林游览结束后,门口有时会有当地妇女售卖手工编织的篮子或饰品,价格比迪亚尼市中心的集市要实惠不少。
6岁以上的孩子通常会觉得这里很有趣,就像探险一样。但对于更小的幼儿,由于森林路径崎岖不平,不适合推婴儿车,全程需要家长抱着,会非常辛苦。另外,林中环境比较幽静,需要家长看管好孩子,避免大声喧哗或随意乱跑,以免触碰当地的文化禁忌或被林中的昆虫叮咬。
Josephine Kimko 'Nature heals.' My visit to Kaya Kinondo gave me an opportunity to reconnect with nature in this case the forest. The nature trail offered an opportunity to learn and unwind (me hugging the tree). The traditional food was tasty and easily among the tastiest foods I've eaten and the people are friendly, you feel right at home. Let me not forget the traditional dance. So next time you are in Diani, drive down to Kaya Kinondo and have an experience in nature.
Teresa Concas We highly enjoyed our visit to the sacred forest Kaya Kinondo. The guide shared their knowledge on local plants and theie worshipping and traditions. We absolutely recommend visiting this unique place 🪴
RF This was such an interesting and fun thing to do and one of our highlights at Diani! A very unique experience learning about the history of the area and the cultural significance of this forest. We had the best volunteer guide, Salim, who was articulate and very funny! Would definitely recommend making the journey here, no need to book.
Mo Aumann I recommend this tour combining learning about nature and the native people of the Coast AND discovering an ancient forest on coral rock with all senses on. The knowledge of the Digo people about plant species, tree burials and energy exchange is just being rediscovered. Call the phone number indicated on Google maps and reserve a tour slot. The fee for Kenyans is 500 KES, for residents 800 and for foreigners 1000. All the money goes into conservation efforts and supporting the Digo community. The entrance fee includes the tour guide. The last tour of the day is at 04pm because the tour guide closes the info house at 06pm and the forest is darker at dawn. There is a long tour (2h) to the freshwater spring and a shorter tour around the forest (1 - 1.5h), depending on how fit you are. Drive South on Diani Beach Road, past the paved road on the bumpy one, turn right after the sign for the forest comes and enter the parking spot. First, you will be introduced to the Digo culture and customs in the informational house because you cannot do certain things in the sacred forest and want to show respect while enjoying the tour. The tour is interactive and I encourage you to ask the guide lots of questions. I was amazed by the answers which showed vast ancient knowledge.
Tess Muir Short and nice tour/walk through the forest. It was low keyed place that is off the beaten track. We enjoyed the information shared by the tour guide. We took a tut tut from Diani beach there and asked the driver to come back for us after one hour. Make sure that you are armed with sufficient insect repellents.