The Idakho ''(Abitakho, Idakho, Abidakho)'' are a
Luhya Luhya or Abaluyia may refer to:
* Luhya people
* Luhya language
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sub-group that reside primarily in the fertile
Kakamega District
Kakamega District was a districts of Kenya, district in the Western Province, Kenya, Western Province of Kenya. Its capital town was Kakamega. It had a population of 603,422 people and an area of 1,395 km². Kakamega was created in 1963 by the ...
,
Western Kenya. Idakho is administratively known as Ikolomani, Ikolomani being the only Constituency in the region.
As is the case with the wider Western Province, Idakho, Kakamega is densely populated with its 2007 population estimated at having surpassed 150,000.
The Idakho people a subgroup of the
Luhya Luhya or Abaluyia may refer to:
* Luhya people
* Luhya language
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ethnic group were estimated in the 2019 Census of Kenya to number 59,661 people.
It is widely believed that the Bidakho are descendants of Mwitakho.
Scarcity of land and the Bidakho's changing lifestyles have made the people diversify with many today engaging in dairy farming and on a smaller scale, tea farming. Maize however is the most widely grown crop, supplying their staple food, bushuma. It is harvested bi-annually.They are known for Isukuti (Mwinuyu) Dance, drum making, and bullfighting.
The traditional life however only serves as a supplement to their 'modern' family life.
Enjoying good levels of literacy (72%), Bidakho today are actively engaged in business, the civil service and private enterprise in all major East African towns.
History
Mwitakho and his brother, Mwisukha are widely believed to have founded the two subtribes - Idakho and Isukha...
Geography
They are located between two major tarmac roads: One leading to
Kakamega
Kakamega is a town in western Kenya lying about 30 km north of the Equator. It is the headquarters of Kakamega County that has a population of 1,867,579 (2019 census). The town has an urban population of 107,227 (2019 census).
Kakamega ...
from
Kisumu
Kisumu ( ) is the third-largest city in Kenya located in the Lake Victoria area in the former Nyanza Province. It is the second-largest city after Kampala in the Lake Victoria Basin. The city has a population of slightly over 600,000. The ...
, and the other leading to
Mumias from Kakamega.
The Arts and Culture
Bull-fighting
Bull Fighting is one of Kakamega's main tourist attraction sites. Pot making brings income to women while Gold digging is known to take place in the
River Yala and around Sigalagala(f.pakata, kicd 2016)
Dance
* Isikuti dance
* Lipala
Language
Lwidakho dialect.
Religion
Many people go to Friends Church (Quakers) as it is popular in the Western Region.
Literature
The Idakho Clans
Abashimuli
Abashimuli clan are mainly found in Iguhu location of Ikolomani Constituency. Abashimuli word comes from the word Shimuli meaning bud flowers. They're found in Iyala, Masiyenze, makhokho villages. Common names among Abashimuli include Lijembe, Shivachi, Ambani, Makhaya, Wendo etc.
Abashikulu
Bashikulu are idakho people that now live at Ishikulu which includes Ishichiko and Ilusiola. Others are at Imakata and Imadivini. These include the Ngairas', Amulyotos of the Basirima.
Abamasaba
They are located in mutaho and shimanyiro area. River Isiukhu traverses their region. Major families include Ndula, Mukhono and many others. They are considered to be among the most educated as most of them are lecturers, doctors, engineers and other white collar professions.
Abashiangala
Abamusali
They are known for bullfighting
Abangolori
AbamahaLia
Abayokha
Abasembe
Abamuhali
Abarendwa
Abamabuusi
*Lennox Ludenyo Amalemba
Current Leaders
*Bernard Shinali , MP Ikolomani
References
Luhya
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