Taita

Taita refers to an ethnic group and their language in Kenya's coastal region. The Taita people, also known as the Dawida, live mainly in the Taita Hills and surrounding lowlands in southeastern Kenya, within what is today Taita-Taveta County. They are part of Kenya’s coastal Bantu-speaking communities and have historical ties with neighboring groups and traders along the Swahili coast.

The Taita language, or Dawida, is a Bantu language spoken by the Taita people. It forms part of the region’s diverse linguistic landscape, with many speakers also fluent in Swahili and English due to education and wider communication networks. Efforts in language documentation and local education reflect ongoing work to preserve linguistic heritage amid broader social changes.

Traditional livelihoods center on mixed farming and small-scale activities. Common crops include maize, beans, bananas, and cassava, with fruit trees and vegetables also grown in hillside plots. Livestock such as goats and cattle complement farm work. In recent decades, education, urban migration, and market integration have influenced economic practices and cultural traditions, while oral history, music, and crafts remain important aspects of Taita identity.

The Taita Hills themselves are a volcanic upland area that rises above the coastal plain and shapes local climate, water resources, and biodiversity. The surrounding landscapes host a range of flora and fauna and are the focus of regional conservation and development initiatives aimed at sustaining both ecosystems and community livelihoods.