The voices of elders on the past indigenous foodways and futures in Kenya

Abstract

Indigenous crops have historically supported resilient food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet their potential remains underutilised and neglected within African food systems. Drawing on oral historical accounts from 79 elders and participatory futures workshops in Bomet and Baringo counties, this paper explores the meanings and values attached to indigenous underutilised crops and how these narratives can inform efforts to revitalise indigenous crops within Kenya’s food systems. Findings reveal that indigenous crops were central to precolonial food systems, contributing to food production, healthy diets, medicinal practices, and cultural ceremonies. However, colonial agricultural restructuring, particularly the promotion of maize and commercial crops, gradually marginalised indigenous crops and transformed local foodways. Despite this, elders’ narratives revealed that indigenous crops persisted, sustained mostly through women’s continued cultivation and elders’ consumption, reflecting resilience and resistance. Their narratives express a strong desire to revive these crops, driven by concerns over nutrition, climate resilience, health, and cultural heritage. Yet, barriers remain, including younger generations’ lack of knowledge and interest, limited market access, and policy neglect. Revitalising indigenous crops requires a decolonial approach that raises awareness of their value while addressing structural barriers to their production. This study contributes to a growing body of literature that seeks to learn from the past to inform sustainable food futures, reimagining indigenous crops in future food systems