Ever Heard of Isukuti Dance?

Matende Isukuti dancers entertain guests and the public during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Bukhungu stadium, December 2017. /CALISTUS LUCHETU

Well, ask anyone young or old from Kenya about Isukuti or simply play them the dance. Oh dear, you will love it too. The dance is popular among the Isukha and Idakho, Luyha sub-clans who occupy Ikolomani and Shinyalu constituencies in Kakamega County.

Isukuti dance has been certified by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and will, therefore, be recognised internationally as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’. The dance becomes the first of Kenya to get global recognition. What a gift to the Luhya community after ugali and to Kenya’s 50 treasures!

The Isukuti dance certificate was presented to Kakamega governor, Wycliffe Oparanya by Dr Evangeline Njoka, the director general at UNESCO – Kenya, who further issued the certificate to Matende and Emachina Isukuti groups. This happened during the national UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development at the Bukhungu stadium in an event dubbed, “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.”

Back in 2014, Kakamega county government sponsored the same pair of Isukuti groups in a tour to France to showcase their talent at the UNESCO headquarters.