Sisters save a language in Kenya

Sisters give new life to language - 3rd February 2025

Nine languages die out each year, and one of those at risk is Yaakunte, a language spoken by the Yaaku tribe of Kenya. In 2010, UNESCO declared Yaakunte to be extinct.

Yet in a little village in the country's Laikipia region, two sisters are endeavouring to rescue the language and with it, the Yaakunte culture. Taught by the grandfather who raised them, Ann and Juliana Loshiro are two of just a tiny handful of people who are fluent speakers. Juliana, an experienced teacher, runs courses for both the young and older villagers.

The sharp decline in Yaakunte took place in the second half of the 20th century. Originally hunters and gatherers, their traditional lands are close to those of the Maasai, but as herdsmen, the Maasai were viewed as having greater wealth and a higher social position. Once the two tribes began to mingle through marriage, the Yaakunte language and culture were diluted. The sisters' hope is that saving the language will also recover their people's traditions and customs.

Traditionally, the Yaaku were based in the Mukogodo Forest, which provided not only hunting grounds but a source of plants and honey. Significantly, it's from this place that the sisters intend to grow their language further. Since many Yaakunte people departed after the Kenyan government banned hunting there, placing the forest at the heart of their teaching is a way of reconnecting with the land of their ancestors.

The students cultivate native trees and hang metal labels on them with vocabulary written in both Yaakunte and English. A word forest is growing, says Juliana, and "as the trees grow, the language grows."

Bringing this ancient language back to life also benefits from technological assistance, and Juliana plans to construct a website, an app and an audio-archive. Her goal is the survival of both the language and the culture for future generations.