On 9th October, we updated history with the Uvuvi Day, a day all about sustainable fisheries, marked by over 200 community members from the Lamu Archipelago. We had attendees from 14 BMUs (Beach Management Units) present for interaction, learning and entertainment.
The main objective of the day was to sensitize the community on the importance of sustainably using marine resources, through talks and entertainment. This was planned ahead of bringing visibility, awareness and advocacy to our Kinyika JCMA Initiative, proudly sponsored by Blue Ventures. Given that we have been partnering with 10 of the attending BMUs under this project, we wanted to recognize their achievements in sustainable fisheries as we encourage the introduction of alternative, sustainable livelihoods to the communities. We encouraged this by sharing a template for sustainable livelihood proposals in case any of the attendee groups anticipate a collaboration opportunity.
No man is an island; don’t we, islanders, know it? To make this day impactful, we called upon community champions to conduct sustainability talks about their work in matters concerning marine resources and local organizations to book a stall with us to showcase what they are all about. We also had the BMUs and creatives from across Lamu prepare skits, plays and performances aligning with the theme of the festival: Guardians of the Deep!
Stalls Booked & Sustainable Livelihood Talks
SERG (Shela Environmental Residence Group): displayed waste bins and items used in waste collection and sorting. Tanwira, the waste management program lead, outlined the statistics of waste collected from Shela in the past year and how we can manage it better. In 2023, SERG collected 71 tonnes of plastic!
The FlipFlopi: They exhibited different items made from recycled plastic, among them chairs, frames and house decor. Did you know that they have two boats made from recycled plastic, one of which is solar powered? In their talk, they explained the plastic recycling process, including how it is collected, sorted into types and colors before being crushed for further action. FlipFlopi donated all the carved, recycled plastic frames we used in awarding 1st position champions in each category.
Davis & Shirtliff: displayed and talked about their eco friendly gear and how the fishing community can access it. The BMUs in attendance could not keep calm, because at the end of the day, the solar freezer donated by Davis & Shirtliff would be awarded to the most outstanding BMU when it comes to governance matters.
Kenya Red Cross - Lamu: focused on gear exchange. In their talk, they enlightened us on options for alternative gear, in exchange for the ones that are illegal or harmful to sustainable fishing.
Amina Ahamad, who goes by the alias ‘Mama Pweza’ made the community aware of her project in octopus closures, and encouraged women and youth to join in such projects as an alternative to overfishing in the oceans.
Fauna & Flora: Their stall showcased their success projects with PMCC and KICOWA conservancies. We got to know about their data collection, fisheries monitoring and coral reef restoration projects, as well as ocean ranger patrol and microfinancing initiatives for the BMUs under the Lamu East Chipopo and Saga JCMAs, some of which we co-fund.
NEWF: Showcased the underwater world using VR technology. It was exciting seeing the community marvel at the different animals seen underwater and identifying some of them. Some of those mentioned were kasa (turtle), kolekole (trevally), kangaja (surgeornfish), and the beautiful matumbawe (corals.) Later that evening, we also had the community attend a film screening and watch a film made by NEWF Fellows in Lamu. The film was meant to sensitize the community on potential demerits of unregulated sand harvesting.
Mtangawanda Women’s Association: Showcased nursery mangroves and gave a talk about their success in mangrove afforestation. To merge conservation and ecotourism, Mama Mikoko and her team are in the process of building a boardwalk in Mtangawanda.
Shanga Rubu Women Group: They brought exhibits and talked about seaweed farming. Madam Mwanaisha from Pate encouraged women to adopt this farming method as a source of alternative livelihood to ensure maximum, sustainable utilization of marine resources.
Kipungani Youth & Women Group: Exhibited and sold products hand woven miaa - The Raffia Palm. This group was a perfect example of alternative livelihoods; an encouragement that women and youth can sustainably utilize marine resources and make a living from it. They made sales from the majamvi, makofia, vikapu, vipepeo and mikeka that they brought.
Lamu Youth Polytechnic: They came with pamphlets, showcasing the courses offered at their institution. This was a great avenue for the youth to explore careers in fisheries that they can pursue. Seeing that the Lamu community is a fishing community with generational history in the craft, advancing such knowledge at a technical level is a plus!
Safari Doctors: Safety always. Safari Doctors booked a stall with us to not only sensitize attendees on general health practices and their work so far, but also be on standby in case anybody needed medical attention at the festival. This was especially important for the Watoto Day, which was to be filled with activities and games for the kids.
LaMCoT: As conveners of the day, we had our own stall exhibiting the different programs that we are running concurrently, among them the Kinyika JCMA Project, Iweni Project, Waste Management Program, Education & Awareness Program and Turtle Protection Program. It was interesting engaging the crowd in naming different species of turtles, in Swahili! We also displayed our merchandise for sale, which was proudly sponsored by Peponi Hotel.
We had various guests at the podium. Attendees from the County and National Government went to show that Uvuvi Day was in sync with custodians of the law and that they are in full support of the ongoing conservation initiatives.
Plays & Performances
This session was entertainment galore. We had some of the BMUs prepare short skits to perform highlighting the relatable issues faced by BMUs, addressing governance and illegal fishing. There was a lot to learn and laugh about because they clearly know what ails their own BMUs. This was important to us as we embark on our next phase of community training that we shall hold with each BMU under the Kinyika JCMA Initiative.
We also had LATA perform an elaborate play communicating all aspects of the Lamu community being Guardians of the Deep. They addressed fishermen using illegal fishing gear and having turtles as bycatch, and performed the consequences of such acts. I was particularly impressed when they involved the audience in the play, asking for solutions to stop such illegalities and including the respondent in the play. They would 'act' your solution to see if it was practical or not.
The Msondo and taarab performances got everyone one thier feet, it was great to see our guests and members of the community break into their traditional dances! During lunch hour, we were all humming to An Noor Band's song 'ndharandhara,' while enjoying trays of pilau.
The Wazee Panel
The Swahili culture is born of the ocean, and fishing practices have been handed down through generations. So to tap into indigenous knowledge for sustainable management of marine resources, we had a panel session with the respected elders in the community, known for their fishing practices since their youth. This was important as a way to bring back to life indigenous methods used and marry them with current scientific methods.
Mr. Komu, our fisheries department technical lead was the moderator, engaging wazees in giving the youth answers to questions about the past and demystifying myths about marine life. Some of the myths were hilarious; stay tuned on our Instagram page for a glimpse into some of them.
Uvuvi Day Awards
Recognition is the greatest motivator. One of the reasons Uvuvi Day was significant to the community is because we got to award outstanding champions in different categories and it was such a thrilling part of the day, as one could hear the excitement in the cheers and see it in the faces of the winners. Some great prizes were donated and the recycled plastic frames their certificates we awarded in were donated by Flipflopi.
BMU Champions
 |  |
Ndambwe BMU - 1st Place Best in Governance - Won a Solar Feezer, donated by Davis & Shirtliff. | Shela BMU - 2nd Place Best in surveillance - Won 5 solar lights and posts. |
Best Data Collectors' Team
Najma Yahya Athman & Hussein Athman from Kipungani BMU - 1st Place.
They won a cool-box!
Esha Karema Mulewa & Abdul Azuwaji from Mashundwani BMU - 2nd Place. They won festival merchandise.
Turtle Conservation Champions
 Mzee Mahmoud & Mzee Odo tied at 1st place, having both work in turtle conservation for oevr 20 years! They each received a solar light and festival t-shirts. |
Fisherfolk Champions
Mzee Salim, Mzee Twaibu and Mzee Hassan each received a fishline, hooks and a festival t-shirt as a recognition to being fisherfolk champions.
Waste Management Community Champion
 Fatuma Abdulrahman (Mama Aunty) - 1st Place. She won a mincing machine. Abdul Abob - 2nd place. He won a festival t-shirt. |
Women Champion in Leadership
 Zulpha Hassan Mote (Mama Mikoko) - 1st Place. She won a solar light. |  Janet Kagembo Charo - 2nd Place. She won a festival scarf. |
Women Champions in Livelihoods
 Amina Ahamad (Mama Pweza) - 1st Place. She won an energy-saving jiko and seedballs donated by Cookswell Jikos. |  Amina Bakari - 2nd Place. She won a festival scarf. |
These awards really raised expectations for the Bahari Yetu Festival, come 2025. Many left aiming for the 1st position next year. We are very grateful to our sponsors for all the support they gave us on Uvuvi Day. Some came through in prize donations, others sponsored lunch, transport logistics and stalls of attendees. Together, we have done great things!
To sum it up, the first Uvuvi Day was a success and had a huge impact; it made the Bahari Yetu Festival a very intimate event with the community. It sets great precedence for all the community engagement and the work in partnership with them in the Kinyika JCMA Project. Find out more about the festival and workshops surrounding it on our website page. Feel free to check out images from the event on our social media platforms and reach out to us whenever great ideas for next year’s event kick in!
Written By Evelyn Kimori
Photos By Shanga Nzole & Evelyn Kimori
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