The cloud forests of the Taita Hills suffer extremely from the strong demographic pressure and the partly bad land management (planting of eucalyptus). In a presentation by John Mlati Mafuga, the chairman of the Community Forest Association CFA, it was impressively explained how quickly and on a large scale the forest area has decreased. Mr. Augustus Mauki pointed out the relevance of the fighis for the preservation of the forest, the biodiversity and the cultural diversity.
The high relevance of the fighis was also underlined in various meetings with the local Elders. During these meetings and discussions in the field, it became clear that the Fighis are of the highest relevance for the maintenance of traditional rites, -even in times after the Christianisation and homogenization of culture and beliefs.
