That we Luhyas love our chicken is an old cliché. In this article, we look at the hidden meaning of cockfight in Luhya culture and end up stating the obvious.
I have come to learn that a cockfight is not a frequent happening, which is a thing that is rather unusual given the outward show of testosterone charged might cocks often show. In fact, among the Luhya, that breed of Luhya man at ease with spreading the seeds of his loins as a cock does, is affectionally called itaywa, etwaya or idaywa depending on which house of mulembe.
As a sport, or recreation activity, cockfighting is rare among the Luhya. We are simply not in the habit of setting up cocks to fight with each other. Bulls we do, but not chicken. However, time to time it does happen that cockerels will start a fight amongst themselves. They do so at their own bidding, and as casually as the fight starts, a cockfight can last for hours; and is often to the death.
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In the spirit of the oral traditions of our fathers, we stay true to our roots as we tell our stories.
So what does a cockfight mean in Luhya culture?
It is taken as a sign of an impending visit by a man or male visitor. This is because among the Luhya, a male visitor of certain standing is welcomed by having a cockerel slaughtered in their honor. As cockfights are to the death, it is expected that one of the cocks in the fight will end up at least severely injured. This cock is likely to be the lesser breed, older or weaker for one reason or another. Therefore, in aid of natural selection, it must face the knife and make good soup for our good visitor.
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