Isukuti

Latest revision as of 07:30, 3 May 2022

Isukuti is a traditional dance performed by the Isukha and Idakho communities of Western Kenya. It is characterized by fast-paced, energetic and passionate movements accompanied by drumming and singing.

In addition to its use for cultural transmission and harmonious coexistence between families and communities, the ritual is present in most occasions and stages of life, including childbirth, initiations, marriage, funerals, commemorations, inaugurations, religious festivities, sporting events, and other public gatherings.

There is a widespread belief that the Bidakho are descendants of the ancestors of the Mwitakho. Drums are used in the performance, and they are played in musical sets of three – a big, a medium, and a small drum – which are normally accompanied by an antelope horn and various metal rattles.

The dance consists of a soloist singing texts related to the theme, the lyrics of which are accompanied by the drum rhythm and by the steps of the dancers arranged in separate rows for men and women.

Because of the lack of land and the changing lifestyles of the Bidakhos, most of them are now involved in dairy farming and on a smaller scale, tea farming. Maize, however, is their most widely grown crop, providing bushuma, their staple food. It is harvested bi-annually.

There is presently a decline in the transmission of Isukuti dance as well as the frequency of performances. In many cases, bearers are elderly and do not have successors to whom they can pass on their knowledge.

In addition to the lack of funds, there are also a number of materials needed to make the instruments and costumes. Last but not least, many composers prefer to work in more commercial genres, and audiences often sacrifice traditional Isukuti dances for contemporary entertainment.

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-|Body=The Isukuti is a form of dance and a traditional expression of celebration in the Isukha and Idakho communities of western Kenya. It is exclusively performed by these communities. In Western Kenya, the Idakho (Abitakho, Idakho, Abidakho) are a sub-group of the Luhya ethnic people who are mainly found in the fertile Kakamega District. Ikolomani is the only Constituency in the region, which means that it is administratively known as Idakho.
+|Body=Isukuti is a traditional dance performed by the Isukha and Idakho communities of Western Kenya. It is characterized by fast-paced, energetic and passionate movements accompanied by drumming and singing.
-The area of Idakho, Kakamega is densely populated as is the case with the wider Western Province of Kenya. The area's population was estimated to be more than 200,000 in 2007.
+In addition to its use for cultural transmission and harmonious coexistence between families and communities, the ritual is present in most occasions and stages of life, including childbirth, initiations, marriage, funerals, commemorations, inaugurations, religious festivities, sporting events, and other public gatherings.
-There is a widespread belief that the Bidakho are descendants of the ancestors of the Mwitakho. This dance has been described as fast-paced, energetic, and passionate, accompanied by energetic drumming and singing. Dances such as this are known for their fast-paced, energetic, and passionate movements. As cultures pass from one generation to another, they play an important role in establishing peaceful coexistence between families and communities. It is a practice that can be seen in many different types of events, from the birth of a child, to initiations, baptisms, weddings, funerals, ceremonies, remembrances, inaugurations, sporting events, and many other kinds of public events. Drums are used in the performance of this dance, and they are played in musical sets of three - a big, a medium, and a small drum - which are normally accompanied by an antelope horn and various metal rattles. The dance consists of a soloist singing texts related to the theme, the lyrics of which are accompanied by the drum rhythm and by the steps of the dancers arranged in separate rows for men and women.
+There is a widespread belief that the Bidakho are descendants of the ancestors of the Mwitakho. Drums are used in the performance, and they are played in musical sets of three – a big, a medium, and a small drum – which are normally accompanied by an antelope horn and various metal rattles.
-There is presently a decline in the transmission of Isukuti dance as well as the frequency of performances. In many cases, bearers are elderly and do not have successors to whom they can pass on their knowledge. In addition to the lack of funds, there are also a number of materials needed to make the instruments and costumes. Last but not least, many composers prefer to work in more commercial genres, and audiences often sacrifice traditional Isukuti dances for contemporary entertainment.
+The dance consists of a soloist singing texts related to the theme, the lyrics of which are accompanied by the drum rhythm and by the steps of the dancers arranged in separate rows for men and women.
+Because of the lack of land and the changing lifestyles of the Bidakhos, most of them are now involved in dairy farming and on a smaller scale, tea farming. Maize, however, is their most widely grown crop, providing bushuma, their staple food. It is harvested bi-annually.
-References:
+There is presently a decline in the transmission of Isukuti dance as well as the frequency of performances. In many cases, bearers are elderly and do not have successors to whom they can pass on their knowledge.
-https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/isukuti-dance-of-isukha-and-idakho-communities-of-western-kenya-00981
+In addition to the lack of funds, there are also a number of materials needed to make the instruments and costumes. Last but not least, many composers prefer to work in more commercial genres, and audiences often sacrifice traditional Isukuti dances for contemporary entertainment.
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idakho
 |Subject=dance
 |Country=Kenya
-|SDG=(16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
 }}