SITUATING BULLFIGHTING CULTURE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ABAKAKAMEGA OF WESTERN KENYA SINCE 1850

Worldwide bullfighting culture is believed to have been born out of spiritual beliefs. The cultural sport is known for entertainment, cultural, economic and political development. The current study unraveled the phenomenon of bullfighting culture and its influence on the development of the Abakakamega of Western Kenya since 1850. It had three objectives: To trace the origins and development of bullfighting culture, to assess various aspects contributing to the growth of bullfighting among the Abakakamega and to examine the influence of bullfighting on the development of the people of Abakakamega since 1850. In the scope, the study was carried out in Kakamega County, focussing on two sub-counties that are occupied by Abakakamega, which are Ikolomani and Shinyalu. The limitations of the study were: First, getting enough information from the Kenya National Archives was a challenge. Little had been documented as far as bullfighting culture among the Abakakamega was concerned. This called for the researcher to utilize the secondary and oral information. The second challenge was getting sensitive information on why bullfighting is so much associated to the owner emerged. To cab this, the researcher also developed good relationships by remaining objective. The study aimed at informing the world of academia with relevant information as far as bullfighting culture is concerned and inform the legislature among the Abakakamega to come up with laws that govern this cultural sport. The study was justified in three ways; academic, philosophical and policy wise. This study was guided by various literatures. They are arranged from the global, continental, regional, national to the study area. The study adopted three theories: Political culture, articulation of modes of production and functionalism theories. This study adopted qualitative research approach. This is because it majorly based its arguments from videos, people’s ideas and personal opinions and written data from various scholars. Descriptive research design was also used. This is because, the study intended to have an in depth examining of the history of bullfighting culturally, politically and economically. The target population included the people of Shinyalu and Ikolomani constituencies. Purposive and snowballing techniques were used. Being descriptive in nature, theme and content analysis was employed. The study was further guided by various ethical considerations that ensured attainment of quality work. The study’s major findings as per the objectives were as follows; in the first object, bullfighting origins among the Abakakamega originated from interaction of bulls in the grazing fields, wrestling and around the local administrators’ (Abaami’) homesteads. In the second objective, the study found out that as a social and geographical phenomenon, culture and entertainment are the main contributors of bullfighting among the Abakakamega. Finally, in the third objective, the study found out that bullfighting is a game and a source of income for many bull owners in Shinyalu and Ikolomani sub- counties in Kakamega County. Major conclusions were also made as per the objectives as follows; in the first objective, the study concluded that the concept of bullfighting in the Abakakamega community of western Kenya has a long history with its origins and developments being traced from within. In the second objective, the study concluded that bullfighting seen today has undergone continuous development since pre-colonial period with a number of aspects contributing to this. Lastly in the third objective, the study concluded that the bulls are highly honored as they play a greater role in cultural, economic and political life of the Abakakamega community. The following recommendations were made as per the objectives of the study. First, the historicity of bullfighting needs to be more unraveled and properly documented. Secondly, scholars from various disciplines need to put their minds together and come up with robust information attached to bullfighting among the Abakakamega to avoid clashing of its history as it is now between the Isukha and Idakho. Thirdly, the church leaders and the community among the Abakakamega should have a dialogue on how to accommodate this sport and not to be viewed as an outdated culture as it is rooted in the community.