The Idakho speak Lwidakho and occupy the southern part of Kakamega district. The Idakho Clans. The Idakho (Abitakho, Idakho, Abidakho) are a Luhya sub-group that reside primarily in the fertile Kakamega District, 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.
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.
Here is a List of The Idakho Clans
Their clans include the;
- Abashimuli
- Abashikulu
- Abamasaba
- Abashiangala
- Abamusali
- Abangolori
- Abamahani
- Abamuhali.
The Arts and Culture of The Idakho Clans
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.
