For its lovers, bullfighting is an important part of the Luhya culture even though it is not as entrenched as it was decades ago.
Time might have reduced its appeal but the cultural phenomenon still has its place.
It has not been eroded by modernity as the communities' elders have ensured that the bullfighting tradition is passed from one generation to another.
Among the Isukha and Idaho communities where bullfighting is a time-honoured tradition, bulls are one of the most-prized possessions given their cultural significance.
Bulls play an important part during burials as they are 'summoned' to fill graves.
Not every person in the Idaho and Isukha communities is accorded the honour of having their graves filled up by the menacing animals. Only old men of great standing in the communities are given a send-off of that nature.
There is an abiding belief that failure to accord old men that respect will anger their spirits and they may return to haunt their families.
It is not just about bestowing honour on the departed but also warding off the prospect of being haunted.
Yussuf Idi, who is Luhya elder conversant with the custom of bullfighting says that up to 15 bulls are deployed to give old men befitting send-offs.
This also includes stepping on the grave and locking horns.
"During the burial of an old man, the bulls would be called upon. They would come and step on the grave and later take on each other near the grave," Idi says.
On the eve of bullfighting, certain cultural rites have to be observed.
The bulls have to be engaged by a specially trained person in a language that the animals can understand.
"The bulls have to be talked to before the actual fight. This is to let them know where they are going and what they are going to do there," Idi offers.
As part of keeping them wild for the fights, the bulls are kept in perfect isolation and are not allowed to mate.
When allowed to interact with females they may think that the bulls they are supposed to fight are females and this may expose them to the risk of being easily injured during fights.
Busaa, a Luhya brew, is given to the animals to excite them.
There are those who go to the extreme end of wafting marijuana smoke at the bulls to keep them wild.
Protecting the animals from falling sick or being bewitched is one of the concerns at the top of the minds of those preparing them for the bruising fight.
The bulls are given certain drugs and acts of sorcery which are a closely-guarded secret.
When the opponent knows the drugs that you have employed then they may move to use more effective drugs than the one you've used.
In fact, every aspect of the preparations must be kept under wraps. You have to keep your opponent guessing.
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