What does it mean to be of a place? Of the sun and soil and bees, of the river and black ants and cowpeas? To be so entangled with an ecosystem, that nature and culture become one?

Clans in Tharaka, Kenya, were subjected to colonialism and all that followed. But Atharaka – ‘those of Tharaka’ – are remembering the strength in their identity. Beside the Kithino River, they are creating the conditions for customs and ecology to bounce back: reviving a complex indigenous system that brings balance, autonomy and joy.

Flowing through chapters on seed, kin and spirit, this film bears witness as elders and Earth recall who Atharaka are, and where they belong.

A story from the Society for Alternative Learning and Transformation (SALT), supported by the African Earth Jurisprudence Collective and The Gaia Foundation. Filmed and produced by Andy Pilsbury.