An award-winning short film, The Land Smiles Back , documents how the Samburu community in Westgate Community Conservancy in northern Kenya is restoring drought-degraded rangelands using traditional land and water management practices.
Co-produced by The Safari Collection, Justdiggit and the Samburu community, the film focuses on the period between 2020 and 2023 when the region experienced its worst drought in 40 years. Wells dried up and livestock and wildlife were severely affected.
The film shows how the community revived ancient hydrotechnology, including the digging of more than 80 000 semi-circular water harvesting bunds, known as Earth Smiles. These structures capture and slow rainwater, reduce soil erosion and stimulate the growth of indigenous grasses. Grass seed banks, managed by local women, have also been established to support pastoral livelihoods and improve forage availability for wildlife and livestock.
