Mgangas (spiritual leaders), led by Baba Mwatela Masai, one of the respected leaders of the council for the sacred kayas. His daughters are his apprentices, receiving knowledge of the musical, herbal, and spiritual traditions. They share dance and song with tourists to support idle children and single mothers, but earn very little.

Risk

Coastal communities face persecution for practicing traditional African spirituality. Schools are often shaped by Christianity or Islam, which can lead children to reject Duruma traditions and pursue low-agency work serving wealthy foreign-owned coastal economies. Forest devastation from logging and charcoal is accelerating, alongside violent targeting of elders accused of witchcraft. Even Sipi, who teaches traditional dance to school children, has been threatened.