MEN OF THE TREES 



Katinga, or sacred groves, which provide the burial place 

 for respected Chiefs and Elders, are a variety of valuable 

 species. These groves have their own protectors. In the 

 Highlands of Kenya the work of conservation may be 

 confined to the members of the Ethiga Clan who deal 

 with the Spirit of the Forest. This order became one 

 of the recognized guardians of sacred groves when the 

 surrounding forests were destroyed and to them we owe 

 the preservation of frequent patches of trees seen on 

 the hill-tops in what would otherwise be a barren coun- 

 try. When the powers of this Clan were invoked for 

 protecting any forest they took an earthenware pot and 

 collected water from each and all of any streams or 

 springs within the area to be protected. In the very 

 centre of the forest a tiny clearing was made for a 

 miniature altar consisting of three stones, upon which 

 was placed the earthenware pot. Fuel was collected from 

 dead sticks, a fire was kindled underneath, and the water 

 was brought to a boil while appropriate invocations were 

 made. The boiled water was then returned to the various 

 streams, care being taken that each of the sources from 

 which the water had been collected should receive back 

 a share of that which had been consecrated. The pot was 

 then brought back to the scene of the ceremony, and 

 there shattered on the stones of the altar. 



The Ethiga Forest-Protector then blows his ceremonial 

 horn and proclaims that if anyone offends by cutting 

 down one of the trees in this forest his life shall blow 

 forth and be lost, even as the breath through the horn. 



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