Culture is the thread that weaves our past into our present and guides the path to our future. It is the stories we tell, the traditions we uphold, and the heritage we safeguard for generations yet to come. When those threads fray, so does our sense of identity. In Kiswahili, we have a saying: “Mwacha mila ni mtumwa.” Loosely translated, it means “He or she who abandons their culture becomes a slave.” These words rang deeply in my mind as I attended the Culture Grows Symposium 2025: Heritage in the Digital Age, held from 23rd to 26th July 2025 at the Nairobi National Museum. The venue itself was symbolic—a custodian of Kenya’s priceless cultural and historical treasures—making it the perfect backdrop for conversations about safeguarding our heritage in an ever-changing digital world. The event, hosted by British Council in Kenya and Twaweza Communications, brought together cultural storytellers, champions, curators, digital…
