Bringing Ancient Voices to a Global Audience
Lost and Forgotten is an international cultural collaboration that brought centuries-old Mijikenda oral traditions to audiences around the world through a groundbreaking live broadcast from Panga ya Saidi, Africa’s oldest known burial site.
In September 2025, a British-Kenyan team successfully streamed the performance The Goddess and the Shadow live from deep within the sacred Panga ya Saidi cave system in coastal Kenya. Archaeological evidence places human burial practices at this site as far back as 78,000 years, making it one of the most significant continuous cultural sites in human history.
The broadcast marked the first time such a sacred and remote location had been shared live with a global audience, setting a new benchmark for ethical, community-led cultural preservation.
About the Project
Lost and Forgotten was created to document, preserve and revitalise Mijikenda storytelling, music and dance traditions that have been passed down through generations but are increasingly at risk of being lost.
Working in close partnership with Kaya Kauma elders, local guardians of the cave, and Kenyan cultural organisation Msitu Wa Ndoto, the project centred community leadership, cultural protocols and respect for sacred spaces at every stage.
Rather than extracting stories for external audiences, the project prioritised local ownership, intergenerational learning and long-term cultural benefit.
The Performance: The Goddess and the Shadow
At the heart of the project was a live performance of The Goddess and the Shadow, an epic Mijikenda story exploring environmental protection, community responsibility and spiritual balance.
Performed by elders and traditional storytellers, many of whom had never been formally recorded before, the production brought together storytelling, dance and ritual in their original cultural context.
The themes of the story resonated strongly with contemporary global audiences, connecting ancient wisdom with modern conversations around climate change, sustainability and community resilience.
Overcoming the ‘Impossible’
Broadcasting live from Panga ya Saidi presented extraordinary technical and logistical challenges. The site has no permanent infrastructure and strict cultural restrictions on access and equipment.
Key challenges included:
- No electrical supply in the cave or surrounding forest
- Minimal internet connectivity
- High humidity, wildlife and unpredictable weather
- Restrictions on crew size and filming locations
- Strict spiritual and cultural protocols
Through months of collaboration with local partners and elders, the team developed innovative, culturally sensitive solutions, including custom satellite relay systems and low-impact filming methods that respected the site’s spiritual significance.
Cultural Preservation and Digital Legacy
The broadcast created the first comprehensive digital archive of Mijikenda storytelling practices at Panga ya Saidi.
The archive includes:
- A full recording of The Goddess and the Shadow
- A behind-the-scenes documentary
- Interviews with elders and performers
- B-roll and contextual footage
This material preserves oral traditions recognised by UNESCO as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage, ensuring that future generations can access and learn from this knowledge.
Importantly, the archive remains under community stewardship, with local partners maintaining control over how material is shared and used.
Community Impact
The project strengthened cultural pride and intergenerational learning within the local community. Many young people encountered stories and traditions they had never previously heard.
By positioning elders as knowledge leaders and cultural educators, the project reinforced the value of traditional wisdom in contemporary society.
It also established a sustainable model for cultural tourism and digital engagement that benefits the community directly while protecting sacred sites.
International Collaboration
Lost and Forgotten demonstrates what equitable international partnership can achieve when technical expertise and cultural leadership are brought together with mutual respect.
The project combined:
- British production and storytelling expertise from Settle Stories
- Kenyan cultural leadership from Msitu Wa Ndoto
- Guidance and permission from Kaya Kauma elders
- Support from the British Council’s International Collaboration Grants
This model prioritised shared decision-making, transparency and long-term relationships over short-term outputs.
Project Partners
Settle Stories (UK)
Founded by Sita Brand and based in the Yorkshire Dales, Settle Stories works to ensure that story remains essential nourishment for the human spirit. Through education programmes, training and international collaborations, the organisation supports communities to discover, develop and share their voices with confidence.
Msitu Wa Ndoto (Kenya)
Msitu Wa Ndoto (“Forest of Dreams”) is a Kenyan cultural organisation founded by storyteller Mara Menzies. Based at Panga ya Saidi, it specialises in immersive cultural experiences rooted in Mijikenda traditions and community empowerment.
Kaya Kauma Elders
The Kaya Kauma elders are the traditional guardians of Panga ya Saidi. Their leadership and guidance were central to ensuring that the project honoured cultural protocols and spiritual responsibilities.
British Council
The project was supported by the British Council’s International Collaboration Grants, which promote equal partnerships and long-term cultural exchange.
Looking Ahead
Lost and Forgotten has established a new model for sharing sacred cultural heritage with the world: one that centres community authority, ethical practice and technological innovation.
The project demonstrates that even the most remote and protected sites can be shared responsibly when trust, respect and collaboration are placed first.
Future phases will build on this foundation to support further documentation, training and community-led storytelling initiatives in Kenya and beyond.
