| dc.description.abstract | 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. | en_US |
