Bullfighting (between two bulls) is one of the more popular 'sports' in western Kenya, and Khayega (6km south of Kakamega) has Saturday morning showdowns at the bullfighting ground. They start at 7am (the whole thing wraps up at around 8am) with a whole lot of horn blowing, drumming, chanting and stick waving.
The purpose-bred bulls are fed on molasses-spiked grass and, to help them conserve their energy, isolated from heifers, making them understandably tetchy. Then the bulls are fed secret concoctions guaranteed to make them even more aggressive.
When the bulls meet, they’ll lock horns and fight until one submits and turns tail. Besides a bruised ego or two, no bulls are injured during the show of strength (cattle are valued too highly for owners to put them at risk). There are no safety barriers, so spectators should keep their distance and be prepared to run or climb a tree should a bull break away.
The winning bull (and all of the crowd) then race to the next venue, usually about 1km to 2km away, where they meet up with a similar winner and the whole performance is repeated.
Bullfighting is practised mostly by the Isukha and Idako peoples.
