The Idakho ''(Abitakho, Idakho, Abidakho)'' are a
Luhya sub-group that reside primarily in the fertile
Kakamega District,
Western Kenya
After the 2013 general election, and the coming into effect of the new constitution, provinces became defunct and the country was now divided into 47 counties. Each county has its own government and therefore there is no central regional cap ...
. 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.
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.
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. The one leading to Kakamega from kisumu and the one leading to Mumias from kakamega town
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
{{Infobox river
, name = Yala River
, image = YalaRiver.JPG
, image_size =
, image_caption = Yala river within Kakamega rainforest, western Kenya
, image_alt =
, map =
, map ...
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
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
Abangolori
AbamahaLia
Abayokha
Abasembe
Abamuhali
Abarendwa
Abamabuusi
*Lennox Ludenyo Amalemba
Current Leaders
*Bernard Shinali , MP Ikolomani
References
Luhya
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