Celebrating Festivals and Traditions: A Year in the Life of GEMA Communities
May 3, 2014
Bridging the Generational Gap: How GEMA’s Cultural Initiatives are Engaging Youth
May 4, 2014
For centuries, the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba communities have lived in harmony with nature, respecting and preserving their environments as vital sources of life. The GEMA Cultural Association (GCA) continues this legacy with a commitment to environmental stewardship, ensuring that GEMA communities remain sustainable, resilient, and attuned to ecological health.
In a time of environmental challenges, GCA’s approach combines traditional wisdom with modern sustainability practices.
Sustainable Agriculture and Water Conservation
GEMA communities have always placed a high value on sustainable agriculture, using techniques passed down through generations to preserve soil health and water resources. Today, GCA promotes these traditional methods, such as crop rotation and agroforestry, which protect the environment and improve crop yields. To address water scarcity, GCA also supports rainwater harvesting and small-scale irrigation projects, ensuring that even the driest areas have access to water. These initiatives help GEMA communities stay resilient, especially as climate change affects water availability.
Forests hold special significance for the GEMA communities, providing not only resources but also a connection to their ancestors. GCA has launched several reforestation projects across Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba regions, encouraging community members to plant indigenous trees that protect soil and support biodiversity
