how to write an essay in blossoms of the savannah

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General Essay Questions and Sample Essays with Answers - Blossoms of the Savannah

« Previous Topic Sample and Practice Excerpts and Extracts With Answers - Blossoms of the Savannah

SAMPLE ESSAYS

1. “though resian goes through the valley of death, her determination leads her to a victorious life.” write a composition to show the validity of this assertion..

Resian in the  Blossoms of the Savannah seems to experience several challenging situations in her life. In the scenarios she seems resolute in her actions as shown in the following ways

Oloisudori declares his intention of marrying her at an early age. This follows after he changes his initial plan: extorting Kaelo. He demands that she should first be circumcised so as to get rid of her state as nemengalana intoiye.  He intends to use anesthesia to make her unconscious and grab her. Resian resolves not to be married.  She tells Oloisudori point blank that she cannot be his wife. She returns the gifts that he had earlier brought and escapes to her father’s shop. Her father beats her so as to submit to the marriage, but Resian remains steady is her decision.

A number of callous youth in Nasila wish to assault Resian and Taiyo. In the first days, Resian and Taiyo take a walk around uncle Simiren compound.  All of a sudden a young man emerges from the blues and grabs Taiyo. Resian order the callous young man to release Taiyo immediately. The Young man has no option but to give in though he promises to revisit his grave decision.

Though in a dream, enkamuratani and other two women surround Resian to circumcise her holding an olmurunya. Although Resian is in a strange land and is defenseless she does her best to combat the situation. Determined, Resian twists enkamuratani’s hand with an intention of ensuring that she does not initiate other girls in the future. She knocks the old witch using a mallet as well as fights the third woman until she disappears.

Olarinkoi disappears with Resian to a far hut in the forest. He locks her up and returns very late in the night while drank. Once he returns, he is in his mission of raping her. He unzips and this gesture sets her trembling. She bites Olarinkoi’s thumb so that the pain reduces his action of rape. Owing to the fact that Resian had earlier witnessed Olarinkoi’s fiery attacks when he dealt with two callous men, it calls for a lot of determination on the part of Resian to tackle him.

In summary, from the above illustrations it is evident that Resian suffers rough challenging times in her life but she deals with all these situations with determination.

2. “The strong bond between Resian and Taiyo contributes significantly to their triumph.” Write an essay in support of the statement.

No man is an island. Human beings were created to relate mutually. The close friendship between Resian and Taiyo is the key to overcoming stormy times that present themselves in their lives as follows

In their new environment at Nasila, the girls meet unique challenges. They are not used to the communal life for all along they have stayed in an urban set up where life is individualistic. At Nasila, they have to get used to impromptu visitors and superior male counterparts. It is the love between the two girls that helps in these scenarios. The duo stay together most of the times. By so doing, they share a lot Taiyo counsels Resian on using kind language on Yeiyo Botorr her aunt. The two girls discuss about danger that lurks from the hostile youth especially because of their uncircumcised condition.

In overcoming the challenge of female genital mutilation (FGM), their friendship bond comes in handy. When Resian goes on a hunger strike she says it is only Taiyo who can change her stand. When Taiyo is informed of Resian’s condition, she does not hesitate to offer herself for Resian’s redemption even when there are risks all over. While at Nasila, they have a lot of time sharing their views towards FGM. The discussions must have strengthened their hard stands towards FGM. It is from these discussions that they vow never to give in to FGM.

In the incident when Taiyo and Resian are accosted by two callous young men their coordination and friendship save them. The incident finds them while they are walking together where they had visited Maiso for lunch. If the struggle had between two men versus one girl probably she would have been surmounted. Although most of the salvation is largely brought by Olarinkoi the fact that the two girls where together makes it easier for them to go about the ordeal. Their joint screaming and their escape unhurt is partly contributed by their togetherness. 

The two birds of a feather hatch a scheme to outwit Oloisudori. They wrap the gifts he had brought them into a box and title it as a gift. They then plan how to execute the plan. They arrange on how Resian is to thank Oloisudori and give him the gift. They discuss the aim of the gesture; to clarify to Oloisudori the fact they cannot be cheated with gifts. From this co-operation, Resian manages to trick Oloisudori and tells off her father and later with Olarinkoi, they manage to leave Nasila.

It is clear from the above illustration that strong friendship bonds can help friend go about hard experiences and overcome them in their lives.

3. Bad decisions can adversely affect our lives. Write an essay in support of the statement with illustrations from the novel. 

The Choices we make can affect us positively or negatively. Bad choices definitely have adverse effects on our future. A character like Ole Kaelo makes several bad choices which not only affect his life but also his daughters. 

Ole Kaelo is advised by his friend what kind of man Oloisudori is. He is told that he is not a man of integrity and warns him about doing business with him. He even warns him to keep his daughters from him. Oloisudori is unheeding to this warning. He goes on to sign business contracts and receiving a loan from him. Later, this man causes him great worry when he threatens to bring his business down if he does not give him his daughter in marriage.

Ole Kaelo makes the bad choice of agreeing to give his daughter Resian in marriage to Oloisudori. He does this to save his business empire and to acquire more wealth as dowry from him. This unleashes a myriad of problems in his family. He keeps assuring himself that his choice of Oloisudori is good and that the man is not all bad but inwardly, he has reservations about such a marriage. His decision worsens the already poor relationship between him and his daughter, who ran away and gets into more trouble with Olarinkoi. Taiyo also has her life ruined by being forcefully circumcised before being forced to marry Oloisudori. Finally, he loses his daughters trust and his fate is unknown because Oloisudori might come for him in person. 

Olarinkoi is not known by the Kaelos yet nobody asks questions about him. He seems a mystery and with time becomes like a member of the family. This earns him trust among the Kaelos to the point that Resian trusts him to take her to Minik’s ranch. This man who the family trusted so much turns into a beast by raping Resian and even planning to circumcise her by force before marrying her. If the Kaelo’s had not trusted the stranger, Resian suffering in his hands would have been avoided.

Mama Milanoi makes a bad choice of giving over her daughter Taiyo to three strange women cheating her that she was being taken to her sister. Her plans is to have Taiyo circumcised before being married by Oloisudori. This action makes her lose the trust her daughters had for her. The wound she has caused them will definitely take time to heal. They too are angry with her that they vow that they would not want to be like her in marriage.

Bad decisions made knowingly or unknowingly will definitely have negative impact in our lives or on those that are dear to us. 

4. Gender inequality is tantamount to violation of human rights. Write an essay in support of the assertion drawing your illustrations from Blossoms of the Savannah. 

Today’s position on the male and female gender is that men and women are equal and none of the gender should dominate over the other. In Blossoms of the Savannah, women are culturally forced to be subservient to men, a practice that denies them some fundamental rights as human beings. 

A wife has the right to state his position on any matter even if it is contrary to the husband’s position. This is not the case with Mama Milanoi, wife to Ole Kaelo. She admits that she did not know which man her husband was doing business with and even if she did, she would not do anything about it for he was the one who carried the family’s vision. She thus leaves every aspect of decision making to him whether those decisions are good or bad.

A woman is a being to be loved and not to love back. Although Ole Kaelo genuinely loved Mama Milanoi when he saw her first, her feelings on him are immaterial. Women were not expected to resist a man’s advances according to Nasilian culture. This is a great violation of her right to love or hate. In her case there is no room for that. It is also expected that Resian should give in to Oloisudori’s plans to marry her. Refusal is regarded as stubbornness. In fact, Oloisudori claims that none of his wives put any resistance in his interest in them. This means that their feelings for him did not matter a great violation of their freedom to choose their marriage partner.

Resian and Taiyo are forced to undergo cultural coaching by Joseph Parmuat. Resian rebels this citing inequality in the plan. She opines that if they were boys, such a thing would not be done on them. Instead, they would be freely roaming Nasila with nobody bothering them. In their case, there is no such option simply because they are girls. Their right to choose what to and not to learn is violated. Girls are taught how to cook for their men but there are no lessons for boys on how to please women. Resian opposes such arrangements saying she would not be taught to solely please men. She claims that even boys should be taught how to please women.

Gender inequality in this society elevates man over the woman to the extent that Resian says that it made men assume that they had right over the body of any woman. This has reduced women to be objects of sex to be exploited by men at will. This practice started with the Ilarinkon warriors who sexually exploited women after arousing their desires. Taiyo and Resian undergo several rape attempts with Resian ending up being raped by Olarinkoi who assumes he has every right over her body. These inequalities have greatly undermined women’s right to privacy and to choose whom to have sexual relation with. 

Gender inequality does not just stop at that. Instead, it is a major cause of violation of basic human rights that all should be accorded a chance to enjoy. Women in the novel have most of their rights curtailed as a result of gender imbalance between men and women.

5. Help can come when least expected. Discuss.

Most people reach the end of the tether in difficult situations and are just about to give up when help comes. Most instances of help appear coincidental but nonetheless; they change the course of life of the character as well as shaping the rest of the novel.

Olarinkoi seems to be at the right place at the right time. He happens to be the savior of Resian and Taiyo when they need help most. He comes to the rescue of the two girls when they are coming from their father’s shop and are about to be raped by two men. Olarinkoi single-handedly saves the girls by fighting the men. Resian and Taiyo are much grateful and would not want to imagine what would have happened if he had not come at that time, even fearing that they would have been infected with HIV. 

Olarinkoi again comes to the rescue of Resian when she discovers her father’s betrayal by planning to marry her off to Oloisudori. He comes to her rescue when she is even contemplating committing suicide by drowning herself into the river. At the same time, Oloisudori and his men are looking for her to abduct her. Olarinkoi promises to take her to Minik whom she had been yearning to meet someday. Although the help turns disastrous with Olarinkoi turning against her, she is able to escape the current wrath of Oloisudori. 

Taiyo is rescued from the hands of her circumcisers by Minik’s men. Minik’s rescue team use tricks to rescue her from the well-guarded home which she would not have escaped in her sickly state.  Were it not for Minik’s intervention, Taiyo would surely have been forcefully married off to Oloisudori after healing. The rescue gives Taiyo a new lease of life, reunion with her sister and of course quicker physical and emotional recovery. 

Minik’s help to Resian and Taiyo perhaps is the most important event that completely changes their lives. She gives refugee to the girls in her ranch hence protecting them from marauding men like Oloisudori and Olarinkoi. She gives Resian a job in the ranch hence giving her something to live on and promises her a scholarship from the ranch. Most importantly, she is able to have the two girls enrolled at Egerton University, their dream university. These kind gestures create a happy ending in a novel that has been dominated by sad events.

When people are about to despair, that is usually the point when help comes. No matter how belated characters like Resian and Taiyo get help, their lives are greatly impacted and changed by those interventions. 

6. In the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah, Ole Kulet goes out of his way to castigate some Maa way of life. Write an essay to show the validity of this statement with close reference to the novel. (20marks)

Introduction -2mks

• Must display that they understand the question
• Can either be general or contextualized?
• Accept any plausible introduction

Body -12 marks

F.G.M was valued by Maa people. No girl would get married before going through the rite.

It was a tool to fight against sexual harassment by Olarinkoi warriors Resian and Laiyo fail to see its purpose and try to run away from it Minik has a ranch where over five hundred girls have been resolved from circumcision.

Resian manages to escape from circumcision through Nabaru who sneaks her away.

Though Mama Milanoi has undergone the rite, she is apprehensive against her daughters Undergoing it.

Heinous acts in the society

Ole kulet castigates heinous acts in the society. When Taiyo and Resian are almost raped by two vagabonds, Tara Muyo and Lante, the society is mad at them and they are almost killed.

Ole Kaelo almost kills them, but later is relieved that he has not caused the death of the man for this could have brought a curse which could not be cleansed.

When Olarinkoi attempts to rape Resian, she almost bites off his finger, He is banished from the village for some time and he misses the opportunity of making her his wife. Kulet portrays that this behavior is unacceptable in the society.

Old men marrying young daughters

Ole Kulet castigates this vice of old men marrying girls young enough to be their daughters.

Mama Mitanoi in her anguish about Oloisudori's wish to marry Resian remembers that in the past, such a thing would not have happened. She could have appealed to the elders' court which would have ruled in her favour.

Oloisudori's effort to marry either Resian or Taiyo does not succeed. He ends up losing his vehicle and fleeing for his life.

Kulet Castigates forced early marriages. Emakererei has rescued over five hundred girls whose dowry their father had taken. She has kept them in her ranch and taken them back to school.

Prejudice against Women

Women in the book have no place in decision making. Mama Milanoi has to accept everything that her husband does.

Taiyo and Resian are also not given their space. Their father refuses to give Taiyo permission for the extravaganza. He is also not bothered about their education.

Resian and Emakererei break the tyrannical regime by making their own decision. Emakererei campaigns against F.G.M and early marriages. Resian defies the dominance of her father by refusing to marry Oloisudori.

Kulet develops these characters to water down male dominance in the society.

Mark 4 well illustrated point 3:3:3:3:3 = 12 marks

-Accept any relevant conclusion

-It must be linked to the marks of the body i.e. 0-4 = 1 mark 5-6= 2 marks 7-9 = 3 marks 10 - 12 = 4 marks

7. Some cultural practices are archaic and outdated, With evidence from the Blossoms of the Savanna, Write a composition in support of this statement.

Introduction : Give a general introduction of the retrogressive cultural practices imposed on the people on diverse cultural practices.

Context based:  Highlight the main points of discussion.

Points of interpretation

i) Female genital mutilation which is depicted as a compulsory rite of passage which a girl must undergo in order to be married to a man.

(ii) Under age marriages where young girls are denied their rights to pursue their ambitions e.g. Resian and Taiyo are sold off by their father at their young age to the Monstrons Oloisudoni.

(iii) Barring people to get married even if they belong to the same tribe but have no blood relations e.g. Taiyo and Joseph Parmuat.

(iv) Male Chauvinism where men feel that they are superior than women e.g. Ole Kaelo being very hard on Mama Milanoi.

(v) Seeing girl child education as waste of money and opportunities. Where we find Ole Kaelo not regarding their daughters not to join Egerton University.

Give a general opinion whether to shed off the said archaic traditions. Or Recap of the points discussed as topic sentences.

8. Alienation is a theme that runs through the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah. Discuss.

Introduction

To be alienated implies a state of separation of a person from a former position, state or object of attachment. There is an aura of enstrangement that runs through the novel in relation to the family of Kaelo and their cultural establishment.

At the start of the novel, Parsimei Kaelo who has been in Nakuru for a number of years is alienated from his ancestral family and roots. His younger brother, Simiren who remains in Nasila, had been more appreciated and was considered the cultural head of the community by the Kaelo's. Simiren, Parsimei's younger brother happens to be the one who represents the family in the Ilmolelian clan to which they belong. He performs sacred rituals like initiation of girls, circumcision of boys or bethrothal ceremonies on behalf of Parsime. We are also told that Simiren, unlike Parsimei is a strict adherent to his people's customs amd traditions.

The Kaelo daughters, Taiyo and Resian, are also alienated from their roots. Mama Milanoi's women friends refer to the girls as Intoiye Nemengalana (girls who are not circumcised) contemptuously. In their culture, it was expected that females be circumcised, something that has not happened to Taiyo and Resian. In fact it is a taboo to remain an uncut woman/girl. The young man that Taiyo and Resian meet at Nasila also refers to them as Intoiye Nemengalana (girls who are not circumcised). This societal expectation is so critical so much that Joseph Parmuat is given the responsibility of talking to Taiyo and Resian about their tradions. (Pg 71). However, the girls are so alienated that they don't see the gravity of being uncircumcised and that Resian thinks of is her enrolment to Egerton University.

Parsimei Kaelo is also alien. They are alienated to the clan dictates on marriage. Elders term Parsimei's decision to remain married to only one wife who had borne him two daughters as a reckless one. This is alien in a society where polygamy is practiced and boy children are cherished. For instance, Simiren has 4 wives and 16 children or so; Ole Supeyo has 6 wives and about 30 children. It is this alienation that makes Parsimei enlist the help of Simiren and several senior elders of the community to re-establish links and also blessings for his family. (pg 37). He decides to do this by throwing a party. It is in this party that Ole Musanka blesses the Ole Kaelos and advises them to re-assimilate themselves to their peoples' culture. (pg 52)

Minik ene Nkoitoi 'wasp' is alienated to her community. She is regarded as the devil incarnate. She is hated and reviled for campaigning vigorously against traditions that she says abuse the right of the girl child - namely - girls' circumcision and early marriages. (pg 62). This puts her in direct collision with the people of Nasila.

Finally, Mama Milanoi is also alienated from the cultural expectations of her community. She lets her daughters remain uncircumcised in a society where this is considered a taboo. She is also accussed of being aloof and selective on the aspects of Nasila culture that they choose to interact with. (pg 145) ((Plus any plausible argument)

9. Man is the defacto leader of the family and when he faulters many things are bound to go wrong. Using Ole Kaelo for your illustrations show how the faults by the head of family affect

INTRODUCTION

In the Africa set up men is assured to be the family head. He makes major decisions concerning the family and doesn't have to consult. Ole Kaelo in Blossoms of the Savannah is a perfect example of such a man.

Unfortunately for him he faulters and the effects are clear.

Ole Kaelo solely opts to move his family to Nasila from Nakuru. He assumes that they will be comfortable and that by taking them to his newly build house will make them happy. Unfortunately, the family does not know joy there. Pressure from the community to have the girls circumcised is overwhelming and denies them joy. Sex also abounds.

Ole kaelo gets financial and from Oloisudori, an evil man against all expectations.

The result demands to have over his daughter Resian to him. Something that eventually collapses his family.

Ole Kaelo opts not to educate his daughters further and instead hoping that they will get good Nasila man to marry them. This is against the expectation of the girls. Resian tells him in his fate that she will join University. This decision that he makes affects the family unity and his image before them. In the end the family breaks up as the girls opt out.

Ole kaelo resolves to have his daughters circumcised and later handover Resian to Oloisudori to be married by him. This is against her wish as the man is old and she does not love him. Her wish is to join Egerton University to further her studies. It is because of this that Resian leaves and is later followed by Taiyo.

Ole Kaelo blindly makes decision that affects his family as seen above

10. "Diligence and determination are the key to success." Write an essay in support of this saying with illustrations from H. R. Ole Kulet's "Blossoms of the Savannah."

When a person desires to achieve something, no amount of obstacle can deter him/her as long as the ambition lives on. Resian succeeds in fighting FGM, forced marriage, attempted rape and her desire to join university because of her strong determination. `Accept any other valid introduction POINTS OF INTERPRETATION

• Resian is determined to go back to Nakuru and join Egerton University She is determined to take a course in Veterinary Science and become a veterinary doctor. She wants to read everything that there is to be read and put on the graduation regalia at the end of four years. She therefore requests her sister to persuade their father to allow them go back to Nakuru and join the university. Discussing polygamy, Resian reminds Taiyo that she doesn’t want to be a parent in the foreseeable future but wants to study emphasizing that such peripheral matters as marriage will come only after she will have obtained her degree. She enlists for the help of her mother who later becomes elusive. When Taiyo fails to find the most opportune moment to speak to their father, she decides to take the bull by the horns by facing her father at the shop to ask him about her plans of taking her to university. Ole Kaelo tells her she has had enough formal education. Instead, he has sold her to Oloisudori. Unbowed, she tells him she will still go to the university and hopes that his father will be there to witness her graduation. Olarinkoi’s abduction doesn’ t stop her either. She shares her afflictions and dreams with Nabaru. Touched by her physical and mental courage, Nabaru promises to help her do what she intends to do or go where she wants to go once she is back onto her feet, with or without the enkoiboni’s predictions. She later procures a lorry with which she helps recue her out of Olarinkoi’s tentacles and takes her to Minik’s ranch which is a safe haven for young girls escaping female genital mutilation and early marriage. Minik later calls her with her sister and shows them two envelopes containing their letters of admission at the university where they are to report on fifth of September. On the very day, they board Minik's vehicle and travel to the university. They cannot believe that their long cherished ambition and adoration had at long last become a reality. Resian says prayerfully that all is well that ends well. 4, 18, 71, 87, 206-207,279,281,284*
• Resian wins against the attempted sexual assault by Olarinkoi After being abducted by Olarinkoi, Resian is consoled by a dream in which she meets the Emakererei who promises her all kinds of wonderful things. Her sweet dream is, however, interrupted rudely and violently by Olarinkoi. Drunk, he walks to the terrified Resian, gets holds of her shoulders and shakes her violently glaring at her with his glittering eyes. He tells her that she is his wife and he will find out how educated her body is. He gets hold of her, drags her into the other room and begins unfastening her buttons with his rough trembling hands. Panicking and terrified, Resian tries to get away from him, but he holds her effortlessly as he brutally continues to fumble with her dress, trying to loosen it. Resian screams as loud as she can in vain as her abductor holds her more firmly with his strong arms and against her loud protests, he tears her garments and begins to push her towards the bed. Resian doesn’t give in, however. She desperately takes her last chance of self-defense and self-preservation. She musters all her strength, thrusts his thumb into her mouth, sinks her teeth into the flesh like a ferocious animal and tenaciously holds onto it, tugging at it fiercely like a lioness and tears it. She clings unto the thumb as Olarinkoi howls in pain, tries to push away but she holds on, digging deeper into the flesh, nearly severing the limb as Olarinkoi cries loudly. Olarinkoi struggles to escape the wrath of Resian’s teeth. He knocks and manages to escape. Although she faints, she manages to prevent Olarinkoi from defiling her. later, feeling embarrassed, Olarinkoi apologizes and assures her that he will not repeat what he tried to do. p.220, 212, 215, 222, 223, 240-241, 245, 248, 249
• Resian successfully fights forced marriage. Oloisudori who is hugely owed by Ole Kaelo gets attracted to Resian upon seeing her when he visits Kaelo’s home. He takes advantage of Ole Kaelo’s assurance that he cannot be denied anything in his home by telling his host that he is interested in his daughter, Resian. Grudgingly, Ole Kaelo consents. Later, he arrives and pays dowry for Resian. The briefcase of five hundred thousand shillings plus other princely gifts like a pretty golden brooch and twelve lengths of different kinds of materials, a golden pendant, golden bracelet a cutely designed golden ring for Resian to seal the marriage. Determined to ward off any possible marriage plans, Resian swears to show Oloisudori that she was a chattel to be secured by the content of a briefcase. With her sister, she intends to show him that they were not on sale and that they were not equal to the prize the briefcase. They are determined to show him that they were young women who had their own pride, self-respect and self-esteem and not rudderless objects drifting in the sea without direction. P196. Determinedly, Resian asserts that she will try to face him bravely and tell him what she thinks of him they plan to repackage the gifts and return them to the monster-Oloisudori. P. 195-198 Oloisudori invites the Kaelo’s to his palatial home in Nakuru Milimani area to show them the magnificent house he had been building for Resian. He had been beautifying it in order to make Resian fall in love with upon seeing it. So much that on seeing it, Ole Kaelo is attracted so much to the wealth that he decides that he was not going to allow his daughter’ s ignorance to destroy her future. He declares that as a father, he had a Godgiven duty to guide her to a secure future; to lead her to the honey pot that would be part of her future. A plan to ensnare Resian is hatched. Kaelo would prepare the ground for Oloisudori’s coming to persuade Resian into the marriage. If she refused, his men would arrive in the evening, pounce on and abduct Resian and drive her to her house in Nakuru. When she refuses, the three-Oloisudori, Kaelo and Mama Milanoi connive and agree on abducting Resian and forcefully marrying her. In his third visit, Oloisudori reveals to Resian that she is his wife and that their fate is sealed and that only death shall par them. Resian screams at him telling that he is mad…stark mad to think that she is his wife. She adds that she can only be his wife over her dead body and that he and her father can kill her and take her body to Oloisudori’s palatial home. Excruciatingly pained by Oloisudori’s remarks, Resian storm out of the house and heads to the shop to confirm this plans from her father. He confirms her fears by telling her that Oloisudori has asked to marry her. she interrupts her father by shouting and screaming. She tells him to better kill her than hand her over to Oloisudori. Even the revelation by her father that he has already taken dowry from Oloisudori and that she is his wife whe likes it or not doesn’t deter Resian. She walks out on her father and rushes to Nasila river as she contemplates committing suicide. She is prepared to die than marry Oloisudori. Luckily, Olarinkoi appears and saves her. She later reveals to Nabaru her dreams of meeting Minik. However, Olarinkoi is determined to fulfil her mother’s prophesy of marrying Resian and living with her in Tanzania. Olarinkoi’s abduction doesn’t stop her either. She shares her afflictions and dreams with Nabaru. Touched by Resian’s physical and mental courage, Nabaru promises to help her do what she intends to do or go where she wants to go once she is back onto her feet, with or without the enkoiboni’ s predictions. She later procures a lorry with which she helps recues out of Olarinkoi’s tentacles to Minik’s ranch where she finds a safe haven for young girls escaping female genital mutilation and early marriage. P.93-95,194,192,197,195,203-210,213215,222-224,245-247,248-249.
• Resian manages to fight female genital mutilation. Her mother tells her that F.G.M is in everyone’s lips in Nasila. It is so entrenched that Resian and her sister experience so much contempt from the vagabond who first accosts them. For Ole Supeyo and his ilk, circumcision was "an important practice which tamed an otherwise wild gender." P.22. he says that"...a certain measure of docility was necessary to keep more than of lots of poisons." P.22. He and Ole Musanka castigate Minik who protects girls from this practice. It is therefore difficult for Resian to escape especially when her father, after the cultural reception declares that after his wife "prepares his daughters to appreciate and accept their future responsibilities as mothers and home builders" and after Joseph Parmuat "teaches them a few home truths", they will "...call the enkamuratani to play her part before we give them away..." P.61 Aware that men "...are the creators of the labyrinth the women continue to meander around...P.91 she promises to escape going through this barbaric practice. Resian declares that the enkamuratani’s "…withered, claw-like hands would only touch her over her dead body..."P.58. she declares that over her dead body will she be circumcised. She says she would rather live in a noisy place than live anywhere near a vagabond who would accost her ...with the intention of mutilating her sexuality. P.33 • Resian and Taiyo vow to join Minik in fighting against F.G.M. P.87 To escape, she constantly reminds her sister to persuade their father to allow them travel back to Nakuru. However, this doesn’t go through. Even so, her determination sees her escape from home through the ‘ help’ of Olarinkoi. When she later learns from about the mono-eyed woman and her son’s determination to clip that erogenous salacity from you that destroys homes… in order …. become a respectable woman worthy..."P.229 • Resian's determination to live through the challenge inspires Nabaru to support her escape "...I am willing to help you do what you intend to do or go where you want to go once you are back onto your feet..."P. 233. She finally manages to escape from Olarinkoi and meets her mentor Minik, the anti-crusader of F.G.M. pgs: 224-225,232-234, 242,245-249 253, 277278*
• Resian’s wins in her will to meet her mentor; Minik, the Emakererei. She first hears about Minik when Ole Musanka places a voluble on Minik contemptuously referred to the wasp on account of her advocacy to maintain intoiye nemengalana amongst their daughters. Resian and her sister, Taiyo wonder who Minik is and why she evokes so much virulent hatred amongst Nasila people.52,53. When her further confirms that he has already sold her to Oloisudori, she contemplates ending her life. However, Olarinkoi finds her at Nasila river and offers to help her fulfil her dream of meeting Minik. However, Olarinkoi changes his mind and decides that she is his wife and even attempts to rape her. The rape attempt wears her down. However, Olarinkoi’s abduction doesn’t stop her from meeting her mentor. She shares her afflictions and dreams with Nabaru. Touched by her physical and mental courage, Nabaru promises to help her do what she intends to do or go where she wants to go once she is back onto her feet, with or without the enkoiboni’s predictions. She later procures a lorry with which she helps recues out of Olarinkoi’s tentacles to Minik’s ranch where she finds a safe haven for young girls escaping female genital mutilation and early marriage.
• Minik’s determination to save girls/Taiyo from F.G.M and forced marriage respectively pays off. In her efforts to save young girls from retrogressive customs, she had come to persuade Ole Supeyo not to circumcise his five daughters. She is so insistent that the old man has to forcefully eject her out of hiss homestead, threatening to clobber her. p. 21,22 despite being abhorred in Nasila she doesn’t relent in her efforts to save the helpless girls who are circumcised and married off at an early age. A case in point is Taiyo whom she rescues from Olosudori who has already managed to have her circumcised and is planning to marry her off against her will. She had sent her rescue team to trace Taiyo. It was easy to find her as for the home in which she was kept was being guarded day and night by fierce armed men. The rescue team had to retreat to Nasila to find Parmuat, their contact man who had initially directed them to Esoit. They make several attempts to save Taiyo and almost giving up when Parmuat manages to help them rescue Taiyo by luring Oloisudori’s the whole team of guards into a beer party, leaving Taiyo unguarded. They team strikes and scampers away with Taiyo like men fleeing from a burning village for three kilometres, to spot where they had left their vehicle. They escape the stones that are thrown at them. Later, when Oloisudori shows up at the ranch to take one of Ole Kaelo’s daughters, Minik does not allow him. She orders him to get out of the place fast for his own safety and the safety of his expensive machines, adding that the two girls are under her charge and that none of them will be taken away from her. she steels herself and looks into his eyes with an unwavering stare. when he orders his men to get Resian, her four hundred energetic workers who had just eaten to their fill surged forward and in no time reduced Oloisudori’s convoy into smouldering shells and acrid smell of burning tyres besides clobbering Oloisudori and his men thoroughly to the extent that they had to run away. P. 281-284
• Nabaru's determination helps Resian escape F.G.M, forced marriage to Olarinkoi and take her to Minik, her mentor. Frustrated by her father's determination to sell her ofc to Oloisudori, Resian runs to Nasila where she contemplates suicide. Olarinkoi finds her there and offers to help her fulfill her dream of meeting Minik. However, Olarinkoi changes his mind and decides that she is his wife and even attempts to rape her. The rape attempt wears her down. Luckily, she finds a God-given mother in Nabaru, who is so much touched by her physical and mental courage that she promises to help her do what she intends to do or go where she wants to go once she is back onto her feet, with or without the enkoiboni’s predictions. She feeds her well and nurses her until she regains her strength, which was necessary for her escape. She later procures a lorry with which rescues her. Olarinkoi hangs on the lorry, threatening fire and termination, but Nabaru's will sees Resian escape to Minik’s ranch where she finds a safe haven for young girls escaping female genital mutilation and early marriage. (Accept any 4 well illustrated points. Mark 3;3;3;3) Total 12 marks Grammar and Presentation- 4 marks

Conclusion In conclusion, Resian and Minik succeed to achieve their goals due to their unwavering determination. Accept any other valid conclusion-2 marks

11. Basing your illustrations on Blossoms of the Savannah, write an essay to negate the saying “Blood is thicker than water” (20 marks)

Actions by some characters in Blossoms of the Savannah tend to negate the saying ‘blood is thicker than water.’ We expect family bonds to be the strongest and the loyalty to be true yet that is not the case. Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi put their daughters Taiyo and Resian through harrowing experiences and ironically, they get help from strangers such as Nabaru and Minik ene Nkoitoi.

Ole Kaelo’s actions go against the saying blood is thicker than water. Although he is Resian’s father, he abhors her for no apparent reason. Ole Kaelo intimidates Resian so much and she only finds solace in her sister Taiyo. Ole Kaelo teams up with Oloisudori to hatch an evil plan to kidnap Resian, anesthetize her and have her circumcised should she turn down Oloisudori’s proposal. He is against her ambitions of joining Egerton University with the intention of marrying her off to an old man she hates. This indeed negates the saying; blood is thicker than water.

Mama Milanoi’s actions also negate the saying blood is thicker than water. In the face of Resian’s constant intimidation by her own father, Mama Milanoi fails to protect her. Resian constantly rushes to Taiyo for a shoulder to lean on. She also deceives Taiyo using Resian’s plight, to accompany the three women to Esoit where she is savagely circumcised against her will. Surprisingly, Taiyo is rescued by Joseph Parmuat, who is not a blood relative; sadly, he loses his life. Indeed, this is a testament that family bonds may sometimes be the weak link in a relationship.

Taiyo’s experiences in Nasila prove that sometimes family ties are not the strongest ties. Her father is clearly inconsiderate of her feelings and needs when he denies her a chance to attend a music extravaganza in Mombasa. When she is kidnapped, help comes from unexpected quarters. She is rescued by Minik ene Nkoitoi’s team. Joseph Parmuat, a distant clan member, sacrifices himself for Taiyo’s sake when her parents seem indifferent. Indeed; this negates the saying blood is thicker than water.

Lastly, Nabaru the enkabaani cares for Resian more than her mother does. Resian even calls her a “God given mother”. Although they are not related, Nabaru proves to be caring and motherly. She tends to Resian following the nasty beating she received from Olarinkoi. When her father tries to forcefully marry her off to Oloisudori, Resian escapes to Inkiito with the help of Olarinkoi; little does she know that he has ulterior motives. He attempts to rape her and hurts her badly. During her 3 weeks stay at Inkiito, Resian receives tender care in terms of medical attention and food from Nabaru. She is not only a loving and caring mother to her, but also a valuable friend and confidant. She also rescues her from the hands of Olarinkoi and his evil mother Enkoiboni despite the fact that she has been paid handsomely in order to be part of the scheme. This also negates the popular belief that blood is thicker than water.

To sum up, Mama Milanoi and Ole Kaelo prove that family members can turn out to be our greatest enemies and occasionally help comes from people who are not necessarily related to us.

12. Determination leads to victory. Write an essay to qualify this claim basing your illustration on H.E Ole Kulet’s Blossoms of the Savannah (20 marks)

Trying to achieve something difficult relentlessly and resolutely always results in success. In other words, steadfastness pays off. In Blossoms of the Savannah Resian’s strength of will pays off when she beats all the challenges and manages to go to the university against all odds. She breaks the shackles of unsupportive parents, archaic cultural practices of FGM and early marriages and cruel patriarchal beliefs to achieve her dream of enrolling at Egerton University.

Resian is determined to join Egerton University to pursue a course in Veterinary Medicine, a dream she manages to achieve. From the onset, Resian is resolute about her ambition of joining Egerton University. She obstinately urges her sister to talk to their father about their prospect of returning to Nakuru to enroll at Egerton University. Although her father does not support this, she still fights determinedly until she achieves her dream. Her determination makes her trust Olarinkoi who has promised to take her to Ntare-naaju ranch to meet Emakererei who is to aid her pursue her dream. The journey is tumultuous but she beats all odds and finally departs for Egerton on 5th September.

Resian is determined to cheat the cultural expectations and remain uncircumcised, a feat she manages to achieve. When Ole Kaelo relocates to Nasila from Nakuru, there is immense pressure on him to circumcise his girls to evade the derogatory title of father to intoiye nemengalana (uncircumcised girls). He is torn between the Nasila culture and his daughter’s liberty and needs. Some men like Ole Supeyo circumcised all their girls and married them off to prominent men in Nasila. He says that women have to be circumcised to control their wild nature. Ole Musanka, a dignified elder insists that girls must be circumcised. Other women like Enkamuratani, Enkasakatoni and Enkaitoyoni also vehemently support the cut. She risks her life by blindly trusting Olarinkoi with sheer need to escape the cut. She manages to escape from Nasila to Ntare-naaju albeit through difficult situations. Eventually, she escapes both FGM and early marriage.

Resian also manages to escape the suffocating chains of patriarchy when accosted by Oloisudori; she manages to escape forced marriage to an old man due to her steely steadfastness. Oloisudori hatches a heartless plan to have Resian kidnapped and even anesthetized if need be. He plans to forcefully have her circumcised and to marry her as a sixth wife. He manages to arm twist Ole Kaelo into accepting the deal by using gifts including 500,000 shillings and a mansion for Resian in Milimani-Nakuru. Resian is neither lured nor sucked in by Oloisudori’s pompous show of financial might. She calls him mad and says she can only marry him over her dead body. Even though Oloisudori, Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi conspire to have her married to Oloisudori, her sheer determination helps her to avoid this.

Resian manages to fight off Olarinkoi who is led to believe that their impending marriage is destiny as prophesied by her diviner mother. She prophesied that Olarinkoi would live with the Kaelos and later marry one of his daughters. He kidnaps her and hides her in a dungeon in the sleepy village of Inkiito after deceiving her. He even tries to rape her. Resian’s courage and determination is seen when she fights bravely and bites him badly while defending herself. She endures harrowing life in Olarinkoi’s hut that is crawling with rats, lizards and snakes. She remembers the Biblical story of Job and how he triumphed because of perseverance. Eventually she manages to escape with the help of Nabaru the enkabaani. Inspired by her bravery and determination, Nabaru walks through the dangerous Inkiito terrain until she finds and convinces a lorry driver to make a detour in order to help Resian. Finally, she meets Minik ene Nkoitoi, who helps her to enroll at Egerton University.

Resian beats all odds and achieves her dreams. Surely, determination leads to victory.

13. “Our greatest enemies are those close to us.” Basing your argument on H.E Ole Kulet’s Blossoms of the Savannah write an essay to qualify this assertion. (20 Marks)

More often than not, we are harmed or betrayed by those close to us. Our close family members, trusted friends, or other relatives sometimes turn out to be our biggest adversaries. In Blossoms of the Savannah Mama Milanoi betrays her own daughter Taiyo when she deceives her and has her savagely circumcised against her will. Other characters that highlight this vice are Oloisudori and Ole Kaelo.

Parsimei Ole Kaelo is an enemy to his own daughter Resian. He has abhorred her since she was born because he expected a boy. He plans to have Resian forcefully circumcised and married off to a sly and cunning extortionist Mr. Oloisudori, a man she vehemently hates. Oloisudori financed Ole Kaelo’s businesses and helped him to acquire a magnificent home in Nasila. He uses his guile and money to lure Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi into accepting his odd demand. Ole Kaelo schemes with Oloisudori to have his own daughter kidnapped and anesthetized should she turn down his proposal. He equates her to a stubborn kid that refuses to suckle. Ultimately, Ole Kaelo fails in his bid to please Oloisudori and to fulfill his own avarice since Resian escapes, leaving them reeling in turmoil.

Oloisudori Loonkiya turns out to be an enemy to Ole Kaelo. They are friends and business allies. Although he knows that Oloisudori is a criminal, he does not expect him to betray their friendship. When Oloisudori visits Ole Kaelo’s home and meets Resian he falls in love with her and demands to marry her. She also has to be circumcised. Oloisudori is an old man while Resian is still a teenager. Ole Kaelo is shocked by this strange demand and beseeches him to drop it and ask for anything else. Oloisudori uses his financial strength and emotional blackmail to convince Ole Kaelo to bless the union. He gives him 500,000 shillings as dowry. This evil scheme fails when Resian tells Oloisudori off in his face and escapes. Oloisudori later faces the wrath of Minik ene Nkoitoi and his vehicles are destroyed.

Olarinkoi betrays Resian’s trust. He looks odd but seemingly harmless. He is accepted into the Kaelo homestead where he visits freely and eats together with them. He deceives them with food supplies. He earns Resian’s trust when he rescues Taiyo and her from their would-be rapists Ntara and Lante. He turns out to be Resian’s foe when he deceives and kidnaps her taking her to Inkiito instead of Ntare-naaju. He plans to have her circumcised and to marry her and escape with her to Tanzania. He attempts to rape her and causes grievous bodily harm on her. His evil scheme also fails when Nabaru helps Resian to escape from his home. He is also forced into hiding after his shameless rape attempt.

Mama Milanoi is an adversary to her own daughters. She fails to speak up for them but instead selfishly guards her marriage. She is scared to ask her husband to let them join Egerton University. In the face of constant intimidation, she fails to offer her protective wings to Resian who only finds solace in Taiyo. She is privy to the evil scheme to have Resian kidnapped and forcefully circumcised and married to Oloisudori but she remains callously indifferent. She laughs when Ole Kaelo compares her to an obstinate kid. She also blatantly lies and convinces Taiyo to follow the three women to Esoit where she is brutally circumcised. Surely, our family members turn out to be our biggest foes.

Lastly, Ntara son of Muyo betrays Resian and Taiyo. He is their relative. Although he is of the Ilukumae clan, he is their first cousin. He is a son of Mama Milanoi’s sister who married Muyo an elder. He accosts them while in the company of Lante son of Kanyira and attempts to rape them. In the scuffle that ensues, the girls are injured. They are rescued by Olarinkoi. It is odd that he tries to rape his own cousins. He is later apprehended and beaten up mercilessly. He is also fined three heifers.

In conclusion, the events in Blossoms of the Savannah prove that those close to us turn out to be our greatest adversaries.

• Oloisudori betrays Ole Kaelo. Though they were close business friends. Oloisudori blackmails Ole Kaelo so that Ole Kaelo has no option but to marry off his daughter to Oloisudori.
• Mama Milanoi who is the mother to Taiyo betrays her by allowing her to accompany three women to take her to Resian only for her to end up being forcefully subjected to F.G.M.
• Ole Kaelo, father to Taiyo refuses to allow his daughter Taiyo to travel to Mombasa with the other youth selected by an FM radio station for a music extravaganza. To him participating would be like engaging in prostitution.
• Ole Kaelo also betrays his daughter's ambitions to join Egerton University preferring instead to marry them off to Oloisudori. This shows he is not ready to help them realize their dreams as a father should do.
• Ole Kaelo betrays Resian. He openly shows his resentment to Resian. Constantly rebuking her for even the slightest of mistake she makes. He hates because he expected a boy child not a girl child. This leaves Resian with a low self-esteem and fearful.
• Olarinkoi, who is occasionally accommodated by the Ole Kaelo's and is even though he is not part of their family, later betrays the Ole Kaelo's when he abducts Resian with the intention of eloping with her. This is betrayal to a family that had hosted him. 

14. “Individuals who are selfless and determined are always rewarded in life”. Using illustrations from the novel Blossoms of the Savannah, write an essay in support of this statement. (20 Marks)

Some individuals show great concern for other people by sacrificing their valuable time and possession for others. Their steadfast spirit coupled with their selflessness always results in success. In Blossoms of the Savannah Minik ene Nkoitoi and Nabaru are characters who are rewarded for such acts of kindness. They achieve what they set out to do.

Minik ene Nkoitoi is not only selfless but also determined. Her resoluteness pays off. First, she manages to go to Makerere University to pursue a course in veterinary medicine, which is no mean feat for a Maa woman. For instance, all of Ole Supeyo’s daughters were circumcised and married off to prominent Nasilian elders. Although Minik was also circumcised, that does not hinder her from achieving her dreams. She manages a sheep ranch at Ntare-naaju. Unlike other Maa women who subserviently coil before men, ene Nkoitoi remains an assertive individual who succeeds because of her resoluteness.

Apart from her success in education and career, Minik also succeeds in her fight against needless cultural practices like FGM. She relentlessly puts up a spirited fight against FGM and early marriages. She faces stiff resistance from conservative chauvinists such as Ole Supeyo, Ole Musanka and Oloisudori but she stays steadfast in her quest to abolish the inessential traditions. Even fellow women like enkamuratani, enkasakatoni and enkaitoyoni fuel the practices further. Minik has been labeled entagoroi (wasp) but she does not relent. Due to her selflessness she manages to rescue five hundred thousand girls and sacrifices her valuable time and resources to make them comfortable. Resian and Taiyo also benefit from her selfless nature. She accommodates and feeds them and enables them to join Egerton University. Indeed, Selfless and determined characters always succeed.

Nabaru is also both selfless and determined. When Olarinkoi deceives and kidnaps Resian and takes her to Inkiito instead of Ntare-naaju, Nabaru’s help comes in handy. She nurses and feeds Resian like her own daughter. She gives her water, milk, bits of olpurda, pounded mutton and ugali. She reveals the evil plan that enkoiboni has for Resian. She selflessly nurses and feeds Resian for over 12 days. Although she has been paid handsomely, she abandons the initial plan and chooses to help Resian. In her Resian finds not only a loving and caring mother but also a valuable friend and confidant. She makes Resian comfortable by making her a bed using her two blankets. She manages to make Resian’s stay at Inkiito a bit bearable. She succeeds since selfless individuals more often than not achieve success.

Nabaru is also determined to help Resian escape the cut and marriage to Olarinkoi; she succeeds. She walks a long distance to the next shopping centre to find a driver, Lebutu, and convinces him to help her rescue Resian. She makes a daring and determined trek considering the terrain was dangerous and riddled with wild animals. She succeeds since she ensures Resian arrives safely at Ntare-naaju and meets her role model Minik ene Nkoitoi, the emakererei. Resian refers to her as yeiyo-ai-nanyorr which means my beloved mother. Nabaru’s resolute spirit helps Resian evade circumcision and marriage and instead get chance to join her dream institution- Egerton University. Olarinkoi and enkoiboni fail terribly but Nabaru succeeds.

In conclusion, it is indeed true to say selfless and determined individuals are usually rewarded in life.

15. “Bad deeds always go unrewarded.” Write a composition to support this assertion basing your illustration on HR Ole Kulet’s Blossoms of the Savannah. (20 Marks)

Individuals who commit atrocities more often than not fail to achieve whatever they are trying to achieve. Some individuals do shocking or cruel things due to their selfishness but they never succeed. In Blossoms of the Savannah, Olarinkoi, who tries to rape Resian, is hurt and humiliated and he fails to marry her. Ole Kaelo and Oloisudori’s atrocities also fail to bear fruits.

Oloisudori plans to forcefully circumcise and marry Resian against her will but he fails terribly. Oloisudori is a sly extortionist tricks Ole Kaelo (Resian’s father) into a business partnership. After helping Ole Kaelo secures several lucrative contracts, he demands to marry Resian forcefully. Resian hates him since he acts suggestively when the first meet. Ole Supeyo had earlier cautioned Ole Kaelo about his randy traits. He tries to woo her with gifts such as a golden brooch and bracelet and a spectacular house which she duly hands back. He hatches a callous plan to have Resian kidnapped and anesthetized should she turn down the proposal. He fails terribly since Resian calls him mad and says he can only marry her over her dead body. Even after spending millions of shillings and using unethical means to get a wife, Oloisudori fails to get Resian hand in marriage.

Olarinkoi, who kidnaps Resian with a view of marrying her, is unrewarded. Olarinkoi is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He pretends to be a friend to the Kaelos when he lives with them. He rescues Taiyo and Resian when Ntara and Lante try to rape them thus earning Resian’s trust. He tricks Resian into believing that he will take her to Ntare-naaju to meet Minik ene Nkoitoi, and avoid circumcision and marriage to Oloisudori. Instead he takes her to Inkiito village where he tries to rape her and assaults her until she passes out. Resian’s journey to Inkiito and the stay there is harrowing. Luckily she escapes with the help of Nabaru. Thus Olarinkoi fails to marry her. He is also forced into hiding due to shame and nearly loses a finger when Resian almost severs it. Surely, bad deeds always go unrewarded.

Ole Kaelo’s greed for material possession does not bear fruits. Ole Kaelo is sucked in by Oloisudori’s opulence and apparent generosity that he fails to see the danger he exposes himself and his family into. After getting into a business partnership with Oloisudori, he is thrown into turmoil when Oloisudori demands to marry Resian. He is faced with a dilemma of either losing his daughter’s faith and love or losing his lucrative contracts and possibly his magnificent house. After visiting Oloisudori’s palatial homes, Ole Kaelo chooses wealth over Resian’s happiness. He warms up to the idea of having Resian kidnapped and anesthetized. He receives 500, 000 shillings among other gifts but fails to have Resian marry Oloisudori. She runs away from home leaving his father confused! His evil plans prove futile.

Mama Milanoi selfishly guards her marriage at the expense of her daughter’s happiness. She is a conservative conformist who remains subservient and fails to protect Taiyo and Resian. When they move to Nasila, she is delighted since her daughters would be married by prominent men. She is, however, stuck between the devil and the deep, blue sea of either losing her daughters’ faith and love or going against the Nasila traditions. She deceives Taiyo and aids three women to abduct her and whisk her away to Esoit village where she is forcibly and brutally circumcised. She hopes to have her married to Oloisudori so that they keep the business contracts and maintain the enviable living standards in Nasila. Her plan fails since Taiyo is rescued by Minik ene Nkoitoi’s team and taken to Ntare-naaju where she joins other girls. Resian and she swear never to be subservient like their mother! Indeed, bad deeds always go unrewarded.

In conclusion, bad deeds never bear any fruits instead the perpetrators fail terribly.

16. Irresponsible decisions can lead to serious consequences. Referring closely to H.R. Ole Kulet's Blossoms of the Savannah, write an essay in support of this statement.

When people make decisions that are devoid of good judgement the results are usually adverse. People like Ole Kaelo and Oloisudori suffer as a result of their rash decision.

Ole Kaelo makes an irresponsible decision when he engages in business with Oloisudori. When Ole Kaelo is retrenched from Agribix Limited, he chooses to relocate to Nasila, his native home, with his family. Here, he opens a shop dealing in Agricultural products. His business is funded by Oloisudori. Oloisudori also helps him to secure some business contracts. He helps Ole Kaelo to secure a 4 years' contract to supply all government institutions in Nasila with agricultural inputs like fertilizer, seeds, herbicides, fungicides et cetera. His mentor Ole Supeyo warns him against his involvement with Oloisudori. He says that Oloisudori is corrupt. He equates him to a hyena and a randy he-goat and cautions Ole Kaelo to keep him away from his daughters. Ole Kaelo does not heed. This decision haunts him when Oloisudori asks for his daughter Resians' hand in marriage. Resian has to be circumcised first. Her dream is to enrol at Egerton University. When she learns of her father's plan, she confronts him at his shop and he slaps her, further straining their relationship. She runs to Nasila river where she contemplates suicide. Olarinkoi finds her and promises to take her to Ntare naaju to meet Minik ene Nkoitoi, who could help her pursue her education. Ole Kaelo's rash decision makes him to lose his daughter. She leaves Nasila with Olarinkoi.

Mama Milanoi makes an unwise decision when she keeps a low profile when her daughters are subjected to punitive cultural practices. When they relocate to Nasila after Ole Kaelo is retrenched, Taiyo and Resian suffer the stigma of being labelled "intoiye nemengalana". Ole Kaelo plans to circumcise Resian and marry her off to Oloisudori. Mama Milanoi knows that her dream is to join Egerton university and pursue a degree in Veterinary medicine. She however fails to defend Resian against the pressure from society to have her circumcised and married off against her will. She succumbs to the pressure of the Nasilian culture. She knows that FGM is a tortorous and painful experience but she still fails to speak to Ole Kaelo against it. She is privy to the details of having Resian abducted and forcefully circumsised but she still remains silent. The painful outcome of her subservience is that Resian esacpes from home with the help of Olarinkoi and she eventually manages to meet Minik ene Nkoitoi and to enrol at Egerton University. Mama Milanoi loses her daughter's trust.

Ole Kaelo suffers when he chooses to deny Resian and Taiyo a chance to pursue their education at Egerton university. Parsimei Ole Kaelo instead asks Joseph Parmuat, a teacher, to teach them cultural aspects of Nasila in preparation for circumcision and marriage. Resians coaxes her sister Taiyo to speak to their father about the prospect of joining Egerton University on so many occasions, because she burns with passion for education. When she tries to ask her father, he gets so angry at her. He warms up to the idea of marrying her to Oloisudori. Ole Kaelo receives gifts and money from him. He fails to protect her daughter from advances by the corrupt extortionist. Resian finally escapes from Nasila with the help of Olarinkoi and later manages to meet Minik ene Nkoitoi who helps her to finally leave for Nakuru to join Egerton university. Oloisudori loses her as a result.

Oloisudori errs in his decision to follow Resian and Taiyo all the way to Ntare naaju ranch. When his first choice for a wife, Resian, runs away with Olarinkoi, the Kaelo's offer Taiyo as a replacement. Minik's men manage to rescue her from Esoit village but not before she is circumcised. When he loses both of them, Oloisudori pursues them upto Minik ene Nkoitoi's ranch. He knows that Minik is referred to as 'entangoroi' or wasp but still chooses to confront her. He demands for either Resian or Taiyo saying he has paid dowry enough for both. Minik says that she will not release them even to their own father. She asks Oloisudori to leave. He asks his men to grab Resian and then a pandemonium ensues. Minik's 400 workers descend upon them and clobber them thoroughly before torching his expensive vehicles and reducing them to smouldering shells. Oloisudori loses his vehicles and still fails to get a wife even after spending a lot of money, time and effort.

Olarinkoi makes two foolish decisions. First, he abducts Resian and then he tries to rape her. When Resian runs away from home and is contemplating her next course of action by the Nasila River, Olarinkoi arrives and tells her that Oloisudori's men are looking for her all over. He offers to take her to Ntare naaju to meet Minik her icon. She complies owing to the fact that she trusts him since he has been a regular visitor at their home and he saves Taiyo and her when the vagabonds, Ntara Muyo and Lante, try to rape them. Olarinkoi does not keep his word. He instead takes her to Inkiito. He locks her up in a dingy hut. That night he comes back stone drunk insisting that Resian is his wife. He mocks her about her education and he forcefully grabs her tearing her clothes and pushing her to the bed. She defends herself by pushing his thumb into her mouth and sinking her teeth into it until he bleeds. She almost severes the thumb. Olarinkoi suffers physically and also emotionally when he is admonished by his mother until he goes into hiding due to shame. Nabaru, the nurse, who was contracted by the mono-eyed woman to take care of Resian after circumcision helps to rescue her when she brings a lorry driver, who takes them to Ntare naaju. Apart from the physical and emotional pain, Olarinkoi fails to get Resian as a wife as a result of his irresponsible decision.

Mama Milanoi makes an irresponsible decision when she tricks Taiyo into circumcision. When Resian runs away with Olarinkoi to avoid marriage to Oloisudori, Taiyo is offered as a replacement. Mama Milanoi allows her to accompany the three women from Esoit. They lie to Taiyo that Resian is on a hunger strike and has gone for three days without eating. They want her to accompany them to Esoit for Resian's sake. She complies and accompanies them happily since her mother assures her that their father had vowed never to try to marry them by force to any man. At Esoit she is thrown into turmoil as no one attends to her or talks about Resian. She is instead left in a dingy hut. The next morning she is dragged out of the hut by a group of excited women, 20 litres of cold water is emptied on her head before she is forcibly circumcised by 'enkamuratani'. The ordeal is so painful that she passes out. She is later rescued by Minik's men with the help of Joseph Parmuat, who tricks the guards guarding her, with alcohol. The guards attempt to chase after Minik's men,pelting them with stones, but they fail. Parmuat is speared to death. Mama Milanoi loses Taiyo when she is taken to Minik's ranch.

Through characters like Oloisudori and Olarinkoi, we learn that foolish decisions usually lead to bad consequences. We ought to think before we leap.

17. Women suffer in male-dominated societies. Write an essay to validate the truth in this assertion basing your illustrations on Blossoms of the Savannah.

In most societies, men hold primary power and influence. Blossoms of the Savannah highlights the problems women suffer in a male-dominated society. Resian, Taiyo, Mama Milanoi and Minik ene Nkoitoi suffer a myriad of problems in Nasila.

Resian suffers for simply being born a girl. Ole Kaelo is infuriated when his second born child turns out to be a girl. He had prayed for a boy and wanted at least three boys. The society values boys more than girls. A boy would carry the Kaelo's name to the next generation Ole Kaelo offers Resian as a sacrificial lamb when Oloisudori comes looking for a wife. As much as she knows her father hates her, she is shocked that he has the temerity to sell her to a man she hates with a passion. Resian is always sad and aloof owing to her father's mistreatment. Resian feels betrayed by her father and at one point considers committing suicide. She is forced to run away from home with the help of Olarinkoi. Surely, women in male-dominated societies suffer a great deal.

Men in Nasila use FGM to oppress women. Women are considered a wild gender that has to be tamed through FGM. Girls who undergo FGM suffer physical and psychological pain. Uncircumcised girls are mocked, derided and contemptuously referred to as intoiye nemengalana. Circumcised girls are considered decent and accorded respect. The subject of FGM makes Taiyo and Resian feel squeamish, hopeless and downcast. Resian feels that FGM is useless today and is only used by men to oppress women. Taiyo is duped and taken to Esoit village, 5 kilometers away from Nasila, where she is forcibly circumcised. She is dragged out of a hut, splashed with 20 litres of cold water, wrestled to the ground and circumcised. The excruciating procedure is carried out using a bladelike tool known as olmurunya. She faints and only regains consciousness two days later. She even imagines she had died! Even after being rescued, she suffers bouts of sickness, restlessness, weakness and pain. This all happened in order for her to be married off to Oloisudori since men in Nasila do not marry intoiye nemengalana.

In male-dominated societies, women suffer forced early marriages. When Resian learns that she has to marry Oloisudori, she is thrown into a sea of agony. Forced marriage is rampant in Nasila. Oloisudori and Olarinkoi try to marry Resian forcefully. Resian's dream is to join Egerton University. Her father, however, plans to marry her off to Oloisudori against her will. He makes all these plans behind Resian's back. He receives cash and gifts from Oloisudori knowing too well that Resian only values university education. Oloisudori even considers rendering Resian unconscious should she decline his proposal. At Inkiito, Resian realizes that many girls are married to old men. One girl is eighteen and her husband is about seventy five. Such girls live in squalor conditions. To avoid marrying Oloisudori, Resian runs away from home. She endures an agonising 3-week stay at Inkiito battling hostile hosts, mosquitoes, hunger and physical injury. Surely, she suffers a lot when her father tries to marry her off without her consent.

In Nasila, Resian and Taiyo suffer sexual exploitation since they are not circumcised. They are mocked and chided by strangers. Two vagabonds attempt to molest them. Like most men in Nasila, Ntara and Lante do not respect women. When they first meet, Oloisudori harasses Resian despite her being too young for him. She describes him as an ill-mannered devil. At Inkiito, Olarinkoi unsuccessfully tries to rape Resian. He comes home drunk as a skunk and demands for food from her. He then tries to molest her. She fights back fiercely and bites his thumb. Olarinkoi then assaults her viciously rendering her unconscious. For a couple of weeks that follow, Resian endures pain from the attack. Resian and Taiyo undergo physical and emotional anguish in the hands of men who abuse their privacy.

Women in Nasila suffer because they are voiceless. Mama Milanoi is voiceless when her husband plans to marry off Resian to Oloisudori. She cannot even dissuade him from circumcising their daughters. In Nasila, it is men who make decisions. Mama Milanoi suffers sleepless nights pondering in pain owing to the excruciating experience awaiting her daughters yet she remains voiceless. Mama Milanoi is in a dilemma because she is torn between being a dutiful Maa wife and being a protective mother to Taiyo and Resian. As a subservient Maa wife, she has little choice but to submit to her husband and Nasila cultural dictates. She is baffled that an old man like Oloisudori could marry Resian, something that was unheard off during her childhood days. She visits and talks to other women like Yeiyo bottor in an attempt to avert the marriage. The thoughts of early marriage and circumcision take her through mental torture yet the male-dominated society gags her and renders her voiceless. She suffers in silence.

Minik ene Nkoitoi is treated contemptuously by men in Nasila. Men like Simiren and Ole Musanka hate her passionately. She is referred to as entagoroi, a derogatory name for a sharp-tongued woman. When she tries to stop Simiren from circumcising her daughters and marrying them off to old men, he chases her away and almost assaults her physically. Ole Musanka curses her that “she may go down with the setting sun”. Even women in Nasila call her a witch. Minik ene Nkoitoi suffers mistreatment and alienation in Nasila simply because she fights archaic practices like early marriages and FGM, which are perpetuated and fueled by men, with a view of oppressing women.

In summary, it is clear that women suffer in male dominated societies.

18. Betrayal causes pain and strain in the family. Using illustrations from Henry Ole Kulet's Blossoms of the Savannah, write an essay to validate this statement.

Good families are built on trust and love. When we fail or desert our family members, we cause them untold grief. In Blossoms of the Savannah, Taiyo and Resian suffer when their parents betray them.

Ole Kaelo betrays his daughter Resian when he irrationally mistreats her for no apparent reason, causing her untold grief. He fails his daughter because he detests her right from birth. He feels cheated by nature since he had prayed for at least three boys but as fate would have it ends up with two girls. Ole Kaelo loves his first daughter Taiyo but hates her younger sister Resian. He was utterly disappointed when she turned out to be a girl when he prayed for a healthy baby boy to carry the Kaelo’s name to the next generation. He is angered by her body size and intends to dispose of her as soon as possible. Resian feels betrayed since her father intimidates her and her mother fails to protect her from the provocations. Her only reprieve is Taiyo, who gives her a shoulder to cry on. The girls enjoy their father's absence more than his company. Resian wonders why her father despises her so much but does not hate Taiyo. She ponders whether it was her fault. Her father wants her to marry a shady crook named Oloisudori by force. She argues that if her father respected her, he would have listened when she said she disliked Oloisudori. Resian knows that her father hates her but is shocked that he could go as far as selling her. This betrayal causes Resian misery since she was a child and she grows up to be sullen, bewildered and resentful. She even thinks there is a curse for being born a woman. Her nature is darkened with melancholy. The frequent tongue lashing and harshly impatient nature from her father towards her contribute to her tempestuous disposition. She is haunted by nagging complaints and never ending unhappiness. Sometimes she sits alone in the biting cold brooding over her father's inexplicable hateful nature. Her sadness is compounded by the fact that he intends to forcefully marry her off to a monster she hates, in order for his business venture to thrive. The pain pushes her to edge until she contemplates drowning herself in Nasila River in pursuit of peace. Surely, when a father hates his own daughter this, much the result, needless to say, is untold suffering. (Pgs. 9-10, 34, 172-173, 205, 210)

Mama Milanoi betrays both Resian and Taiyo when she chooses to remain indifferent and aloof to her own daughters causing them pain. At first, she has a strange premonition since her daughters are uncircumcised yet the culture demands otherwise. She is thrown into a conundrum of either forcing the girls to undergo FGM and losing their faith, love and confidence, or refusing to yield to tradition at the risk of being labelled a pariah. Instead of fighting to protect her daughters when their father plans to circumcise them, she subserviently bows to pressure and foolishly asserts that culture is everything and it rules their lives. Now that FGM had reared its ugly head, she knows that it was going to wreak havoc in the innocent girls’ young lives. She also knows that her daughters do not expect their own parents to subject them to the excruciating pain and turmoil of FGM. It would be mental torture for them. However, she remains aloof and selfish simply to protect her position as a dutiful Maa wife. She concurs with Yeiyo Bottor that Resian has olkuenyi which can be cured through FGM. She knows that FGM would terribly hurt the girls but she fails to protect them. She kept lying to the girls and reassuring them that nothing sinister was in the offing as they prepared to circumcise them. She laughs with her husband and Oloisudori as they discuss Resian's fate but a feeling of betrayal lingers in her heart. Mama Milanoi fails Resian and Taiyo since she abandons them at the time of need. Taiyo and Resian are angry at their mother and term her as an example of a wife they never wanted to be. She had been held captive by her husband and could not express her own opinion unlike Nabaru and Minik ene Nkoitoi. Resian is forced to run away from home through a harrowing journey but Taiyo pays the ultimate price when she undergoes the excruciating pain of FGM. Surely, when a mother fails to protect her daughters, they suffer. (Pgs. 17, 34, 60-62, 63, 78, 147, 192, 276)

Mama Milanoi tricks her daughter Taiyo into circumcision causing her pain and regret. She calls Taiyo to greet three women visitors from a village called Esoit. They say Resian had sought refuge there after running away from home. They need Taiyo to accompany them since Resian was on a hunger strike and had not eaten anything for three days. They claim they pitied Resian and claim she had mentioned Taiyo who could persuade her to eat and save her life. Since Taiyo is caring and knows Resian depends on her for protection, she buys the story. She is happy since her mother assures her that their father had vowed never to marry them by force to any man. This is the height of deceit and betrayal from a mother. At Esoit, there is no sign of Resian. Taiyo is abandoned in a dingy hut and at dawn she is dragged out, drenched with 20 litres of cold water, wrestled to the ground and forcibly circumcised. Her screams of terror and pain fall on deaf ears. She faints and only gains consciousness two days later, feeling sore, bitter and angry. She even imagines she had died. She is later rescued by Minik ene Nkoitoi but still suffers bouts of pain, intensely painful headaches and weakness. It is difficult to come to terms with the forcible circumcision. Taiyo and Resian blame their father for wanting to please Oloisudori at the detriment of his own daughters. Their mother does not escape their ire. They think she is the embodiment of a bad wife and mother. When a parent betrays their child, they cause the child grief. (Pgs. 272, 274, 275, 276-277)

Ole Kaelo betrays Resian when he agrees to marry her off against her will to a wanton criminal - Oloisudori, causing her untold misery. Oloisudori is a rich man who helps Ole Kaelo by financing his business in Nasila and assists him in acquiring government contracts to supply agricultural inputs. He then demands to marry Resian. Ole Kaelo had been retrenched from his job at Agribix limited in Nakuru and had decided to relocate to his native Nasila to venture into business. Ole Kaelo's mentor Soin Ole Supeyo warns him that Oloisudori was a corrupt criminal, a hyena and a randy he-goat. He cautions him to keep the amorous man away from daughters. He does not heed the warning. Ole Kaelo knows that it is his duty to protect and educate his daughters and it pains him to hand them over to a man they don’t love. He foresees them crying forlornly and questioning the sincerity of his love and the reason for his betrayal. However, he still chooses to betray and sacrifice Resian. He accepts cash and other gifts from Oloisudori. He vows that Resian has to be married by Oloisudori and is party to an evil scheme to abduct her in the event that she resisted. While Mama Milanoi feels they were betraying Resian, Ole Kaelo feels happy and satisfied especially after visiting her potential husband’s palatial homes. As they drive past Egerton University, he feels Resian was foolish for choosing education over marriage to a wealthy man. Resian was speechless when it dawned on her that her father had sold her to Oloisudori. She feels it was a curse being born a woman in Nasila. She knew he disliked her but never thought her own father could sell her. She cries in anger and outrage and accuses him of betrayal and hatred. She says it was better to die than marry her father's monstrous friend. He even slaps her with the view of intimidating her into bowing to pressure of his demands. Resian leaves his office and heads to Nasila River where she contemplates suicide. She instead chooses to flee from home with the help of Olarinkoi and embarks on a harrowing, daunting journey to Ntare Naaju not knowing what awaited her. Resian surely suffers in the wake of her father's betrayal. (Pgs. 26, 108, 111-112, 178, 185, 191-193, 204, 205, 208, 209, 210)

Ole Kaelo betrays his daughter Taiyo when he fails to support her musical aspirations. Taiyo loses trust in her father when he denies her permission to attend an extravaganza organised by an FM radio station. Taiyo loves music. She has excelled in music festivals and been awarded many times. Broadcasting stations noticed her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Even her parents applauded her on many occasions so she did not expect them to have any objection if she pursued the desire of her heart as a future occupation. An FM station offered her a chance to attend a music extravaganza in Mombasa and attend a short course later. Her father refuses to grant her permission, claiming rather absurdly that performing for money was akin to harlotry. It is evident that Taiyo loves music. It was in her blood. She thoroughly enjoys the children’s performance in Nasila. When her father denies her permission, it leaves a wound in her heart. She stubbornly tries to convince him but loses the fight. This betrayal leaves her seething in rage. (1-2, 44-45)

Lastly, Ole Kaelo betrays his daughter Resian when he refuses to send her to university. Resian is determined to join Egerton University. When they are about to relocate to Nasila from Nakuru, she tells Taiyo that she does not want to work at their father's shop. She wanted to join Egerton University to study veterinary medicine and be called Dr. Resian Kaelo. She requests her sister Taiyo to persuade him to allow them to return to Nakuru and enroll at the university in order to avoid being subjected to outdated traditions. She is not interested in Parmuat's cultural lessons. She only wants formal education which is universally beneficial to all. Her only hope was placed on Taiyo speaking to their father as their mother proved to be either impuissant or unwilling. She, however, chooses to remain optimistic envisioning herself in Egerton University donning academic regalia. She rejects Oloisudori’s gifts and hands them back since her only ambition is to pursue university education. Her father refuses to allow her to join university. He intends to marry her off to Oloisudori, a man Resian deems a monster. She refers to him contemptuously as ol-ushuushi – a reckless person and olbitirr - a warthog. Resian assertively declares that even if she was over eighty years old she would still join university. It is painful for her to struggle, run away from home, suffer in Inkiito in the hands of a callous brute – Olarinkoi, before she finally joins university, courtesy of total strangers Nabaru and Minik. She finds solace in the distant lands of Ntare Naaju when her own parents betray and hurt her. (Pgs. 4, 18, 33, 58, 73, 89, 196, 207, 210)

In brief, when family members fail or desert us, we suffer immense pain or hardship.

19. “As bad as it may be, every culture has a good side. Closely referring to the treatment of the girl child”, write a composition in support of this; drawing your illustrations from H.R. Ole Kulet’s Blossoms of the Savannah.

Introduction Traditional cultures though condemned have been of great help in caring for the interest and safety of the girl child against wayward/predatory men. This is evident in Nasila culture in Blossoms of the Savannah.

• Elder’s court Mama Milanoi laments Oloisudori’s obnoxious act of demanding her daughter Ressian for a wife. Oloisudori is the age mate of Parsimei – Mama Milanoi’s husband. Mama Milanoi recalls that such a thing would have never happened in the past. She says that in those old good days, had her husband tried to enforce such an abomination, she would have appealed to the Elders court which would have ruled him out of order, possibly fined him together with his purported son in law. A public rebuke and cleansing ceremony conducted by the fearsome Oloiboni would shamed the culture – abusers and their collaborators; a deterrent act. (without mentioning of elder’s court, it is thin) page 113-114, 115
• Women’s court Culture also gave aggrieved women room to call for mass action-swift, vindicive and decisive. It was most feared by men. Mama Milanoi recalls an incident of a mannerless old man who got infatuated with a fourteen-year-old daughter of his daughter of his agemate and started stalking her. The man seduces the girl while milking her mother’s cows. The girl reports the incident and her mother appealed to the women’s court for the culprits, let out the calves. No cow was milked no fire was lit in the hearths. Then they attacked the homestead of the accused using firewood, husband’s knobkerries. The old man is beaten thoroughly, stripped naked; teased and paraded naked in all the homesteads. The aggrieved girl would question him and he would be forced to give a certain response. The women’s cry would send all men scampering for safety up in the hills. The accused would be beaten to death. All the men would be denied food and milk till they called the Oloibon to cleanse the homestead and restore peace, love and unit. Such punishment deterred men from offending the sensibilities of Maa. (without appeal to women’s court - thin)Pg 115-117
• Patureishi Joseph Parmuat cultural lessons and dances helps Ressian and Taiyo understand the various kinds of love that young people in Nasila were involved in. Such love include the conventional and the Patureishi. Those involved in conventional were considered betrothed. Should the betrothed misbehave or offend the sensibilities of the Nasula culture and lose the favour of the girl’s parents, he would forfeit right to marry the girl. Patureshi – institution also checked the conduct and behavior of young people and keep them discipline. The young man who violated it or engages in disgraceful act, disrespect for women, the Paturesihi would shame him. A young man who balanced conventional and Patureishi earned respect and was regarded as a potential leader and of the future of Maa. This safeguarded the girl child. (Role of Patureishi must come out clearly, failure - thin) Pg 125-127
• Punishment of the vagabonds Another incident where sensibilities of Nasila was breached is when Taiyo and Resian are returning home from their father’s shop. Two young men accosted and attempted to rape them. They dragged them to the bush and Olarinkoi’s appearance and has intervention saved them. This was a serious violation that left the girls traumatized. When they reported to the family, the entire clan is enraged, and a search for the culprit ensures. When they were caught they were clobbered until they bled profusely. They pleaded for mercy and fearfully hid under the legs of and old man. One of them –Ntara Muyo was their first cousin. The other was Lante-son of Kanyira. Elaborate cleansing ceremony is planned and Ole Kaelo is compensated. Taiyo and Resian went to be paid two heifers each. The tenets of Nasila culture ensured justice for the girls. (without punishment, compensation and cleansing ceremony - thin) Pg 140, 156-164
• Olarinkoi’s Exile Olarinkai offers to evacuate Resian to Ntare Naaju Ranch – the home of Minil-ene -Nkotoi- Emakererei to escape a forcible circumcision and marriage to Oloisudori. Resian who was at the verge of committing suicide saw a savior in Olarinkoi and accepts the offer gratefully. However, he takes her to Inkiito where he goes drinking and comes in at night and attempts to rape her. She bites his thumb and he hurts her until she passes on. Nabaru who nursed her tells her that the mono eyed woman – Olarinkoi’s mother had prophesied her marriage to his son but the attempted rape diluted everything. Olorinkoi is banished into exile for days and later the marriage fails to materialize pg 232 – 234
• Ill-intent men Resian blames her father for the tension in the family for being forced to stay behind to host Oloisudori against her will – Resian opines that this is the neo-culture. Girl child was always protected and shielded from males who ogled and stare at them with no good intentions. Where there were male visitors, the girls were taken to their aunt’s houses to avoid meeting some of these ill-intent fellows. The aunts would instead serve the guests. Fathers too had minimum interaction with their daughters and guarded jealously their privacy and guaranteed them security(without the shielding of girls from men; taking them to aunt’s place, score thin). Pg 174-175

Conclusion It is therefore clear that most traditions of the people have a way of ensuring that its daughters’ security was guaranteed and there is need to perpetuate them.

20. Some cultural practices are archaic and out dated. Write an essay in support of this statement. (20mks)

Introduction This can be general, specific or general specific bringing out the retrogressive nature of cultural practices imposed on people of diverse cultures.

• Female genital mutilation which is depicted as a compulsory rite of passage if a girl has to be respected, valued and married. Expound on Resian’s and Taiyo’s experiences in Nasila.
• Under- age marriages where young girls are denied the right to pursue further education and ambitions e.g Resian and Taiyo are sold off by their father to Oloisudori without their consent.
• Barring people from getting married or involved in a relationship if they are considered to be of the same clan but not related by blood eg Joseph and Taiyo
• Male chauvinism where men feel they are superior to women eg Ole Kaelo’s and Mama Milanoi’s situation concerning their daughters’ circumcision, lesson on Maa culture,Olarinkoi’s demand that Resian cooks for him,Ole Supeyo’s opinion on women circumcision as being dehorned and therefore being made docile and submissive, Oloisudori being sarcastic towards Resian after having confirmed that he has already bought her off from her father and that she can do nothing concerning the betrothal( His word was final)
• Seeing girl child education as a waste of time eg Ole Kaelo totally denies his daughters pursuing further education saying the education they have is enough and Joseph was asked to teach the girls on the reqirements of a respectable Nasilan woman and later get cicurmcised as they await getting married. Ole Supeyo educates his sons upto the University level yet his daughters don’t get such opportunity but married off to prominent men in Nasila .

Conclusion: Recap on the points discussed in the content.

21. “Self-interest is a vice that whoever engages in it is bound to fail” Using Blossoms of the Savannah, write an essay to support this assertion. (20mks)

Introduction When one does something in the hope of benefiting himself or herself, the person is most likely not to succeed in his or her endeavors. This is well illustrated by Ole kulet in Blossoms of the savannah. (2mks) Accept any other valid introduction.

• Ole Kaelo’s self interest make him to engage in things which later on make him regret his decisions. Ole kaelo is advised by a friend Ole supeyo about the kind of man Oloisudori is. He is told that Oloisudori is not a man of integrity and warns him about doing business with him. He is even warned to keep his daughters away from him. Later this man causes him great worry when he threatens to bring his business down if he does not give him his daughter in marriage. Since Ole Kaelo does not want to lose his business and the money given to him by Oloisudori he accepts to offer Resian to oloisudori, leading to him losing his two daughters in end when Resian escapes to Miniks place and later Taiyo who was rescued by Minik’s men.
• Mama Milanoi decides to participate in offering her two daughters to Oloidudori. First Resian who ecapes then Taiyo. She fears going against ole Kaelo since she knows what is at stake if she does. This action makes her lose the trust of her daughters and they are angry with her and vow that they would not want to be like her marriage. In the end she also loses her two daughters.
• Olarinkoi seems to be a mystery in Ole Kaelo’s house, though he has his hidden intentions. He pretends to be of help to Resian when he finds her by the river after being disappointed by Ole kaelo the father. After taking Resian to his place, he turns into a beast by trying to rape Resian and even planning to circumcise her by force before marrying her. But Resian protects herself by biting his thumb when it was later known that he had to rape Resian, he was admonished and he later lost Resian when she was helped to escape by Nabaru
• Oloisudori is also another person who perpetuates self-interest when he extorts his clients. He has made Ole kaelo sign up to several contracts just to extort him at the end. He then changes his mind when he comes over at Ole Kaelo’s for his pound of flesh. He demands that Ole Kaelo gives him his daughter instead. Later on he still insists on his demands even after Resian escaping to Minik’s place and Taiyo being rescued, he proceeds to the ranch when Minik was having a farewell party for the 2 girls. This decision which he made out of self interest sees his convoy being reduced smoldering shelf and acrid smell of burning tires clobbered thoroughly. Mark 3:3:3:3

Conclusion. In conclusion we can therefore agree that self –interest can lead to failure to anyone who engages in it. (2mks) (Accept any valid conclusion). Font – 12 Grammar – 8 Introduction – 2 Conclusion – 2 Total - 20

22. When people build a strong friendship, they easily endure and overcome any obstacle that come their way and emerge successful. Using examples from Ole Kulet’s Blossoms of the Savannah, write an essay to show the truth of this statement.

Points of Interpretation

• Who have strong friendship?
• What challenge/obstacle/problem do they face?
• How does their union come in handy to help alleviate/overcome the challenge? NB: How their strong friendship works to help in a given challenge must clearly be brought out for the candidate to score a full mark in any point.

Introduction In Blossoms of the Savannah, Taiyo and Resian, Resian and Nabaru and Resian are some of the characters that forge deep friendship which helps go over the many problems that befall them. (Accept any other relevant introduction) 2marks

ILLUSTRATIONS

• When Taiyo and Resian are accosted by a vagabond on their first day in Nasila, their closeness helps them avert a would worse scenario. Resian asks the vagabond to leave her sister’s hand. She reminds him that they don’t have any money on them. Taiyo on her informs the vagabond that they are not the type of women he thinks. Later when Resian is traumatized by the experience, Taiyo comes in to reassure her by promising to talk to their father about the possibility of going back to Nakuru. Pp. 14-19; 32-33.
• On realizing that Resian is always tempestuous after the father’s constant tongue-lashing and that even their mother would not help them, Taiyo takes it upon herself to mob her sister’s tears. Right from nursery school through to secondary, Taiyo who was ‘fiercely devoted to her sister’ ensured that she protected her sister from the bullies. She was also keen and ‘always sensed her sister’s yearnings.’ PP. 32-34.
• The two sister bank on their love to outwit Oloisudori upon realizing that their mother and father would not assist them at all. They come up with a conspiracy to return the gifts as a reciprocal gesture to Oloisudori. This is to prove a point- that they are focused girls with a clear map of what they want in life. They also plan that they would feign innocence until when Oloisudori’s intentions become apparently clear to them. Taiyo advises Resian to ensure that he doesn’t remain alone in the house with oloisudori for he may harm her. This plan works to their favour as Resian is able to face-off Oloisudori and beat them at their plan- that of forced marriage. Pp. 195-205
• After Resian is rebuked by her father for refusing to serve Oloisdori, Resian runs out into the cold at night. Taiyo follows her out in the cold and condemns her for endangering/risking her life. She urges her to go back into the house so as not to catch a cold. Pp. 169-173
• Resian forms a formidable alliance with Nabaru to defeat Olarinkoi and the enkoiboni’s schemes. Nabaru becomes Resian’s confidant. She buys into Resian’s dream. She reveals the evils planned out against Resian and goes out of her way to rescue Resian into the Ranch. Despite Olarinkoi’s infantile threats, she delivers Resian safely to her nirvana. Pp.220-223; 230-245; 248-252; 262-265
• Taiyo and Resian forge a strong bond with the Minik and the over 400 girls they find at the Ranch. It is this bond that has thrived between them that helps them to vanquish Oloisudori. Because of the love Minik has developed for the girls, he faces Oloisudori, a man of means and humiliates him publicly. Together with other enegetic workers they burn down Oloisudori’s convoy and ashes and also beat him thoroughly. With their biggest threat behind them, the two girls embark on their academic journey. Pp. 279-284. (Accept any 4 well illustrated points. Mark 4;4;4;4. Total 12 marks) Grammar and Presentation 4marks

True friendship knows to obstacle raised on its way.  ( Accept any other valid conclusion ) 2marks

23. Irresponsible parenting can lead to instability in a family. Discuss the truth of this statement using the novel “Blossoms of the Savannah” by H. Kulet

Accept any relevant introduction (2 mks)

• He gets disappointed when he gets a girl.
• Vents his frustration on the poor child.
• Effects – Resian realizes her father does not like her right from her cradle.
• He detests her, treats her harshly, openly favours Taiyo. Distance created.
• Her personality is affected since she grew up sullen, bewildered and resentful (pg 10).
• She becomes rebellious, angry and bitter.
• Her nature was darkened by melancholy, self – doubt.
• At home she became difficult to deal with especially with her father
• Ole-kaelo as a parent failed to offer lose, acceptance and assurance.
• Ole kaelo agrees to Mary Resian to Oloisudori: He is aware he is a criminal, a bank robber and a gangster (pg. 194)
• He is willing to cast a blind eye on the fact that Oloisudori is old enough to be Resian father.
• He is willing to use Resian as the sacrificial lamb to secure his palatial home and business contracts.
• He allows Oloisudori to black mail him with a demand for his daughters hand in marriage. Giving out Resian to Oloisudori is too small a price.
• He betrays his daughters when he agrees to the plan fo her abduction should she turn down Oloisudori’s marriage proposal> (pg 191).
• He fails in his responsibility to care and protect his daughter because of material gain.
• Resian feels betrayed is full of anger and bitterness – she runs away from home, where she undergoes such trauma at the hands of Oloirinkoi.
• Resian has suicidal thoughts.
• Olokaeilo chose to please the Maa people at the expense of his family.
• Her ambition was to study veterinary doctor.
• She asks her mother and Taiyo to make the request for but never go the chance.
• When Resian vehemently asks if he will take her to university, he informs her that formal education that she had was enough. (pg 207)
• Suggests that she can join Parallel program once she marries Oloisudori.
• He also fails in assisting Taiyo pursue her music interests.
• He fails in His responsibility to fully educate her daughters when brought a big conflict between his and the girls.
• She fails to protect the girls from the harsh mean traditions.
• When Resian tries to confide her fears to her she dismisses and scolds her for referring to Oloisudo as a manner less old man.
• She sends her back to serve the old lustful man tea.
• She does little to correct the tension between Resian and her father does not come to rescue her.
• Taiyo is surprised at her mothers inability to protect Resian from mistreatment from her father.
• She betrays Resian – she failed her.
• She was fearful of her husband and was owed to silence even when injustices were being committed against her own daughters.
• Her silence pained Resian beyond words.
• She betrays Taiyo by tricking her into going to Esoit to undergo faced circumcision.

Conclusion: The once good and peaceful family falls apart due to the parents failure to take up her roles responsibly. In the face of adversity one requires strong - will power. Justify – referring to the story “No need to lie”.

24. Mama Milanoi’s submissiveness results in the break up of her family. With clear illustrations from the novel, Show the truth of this statement.

Mama Milanoi is depicted as a woman who is unable to defend her daughters against unfavourable decisions made by her husband in order to protect her own interest. Points

• She does not protect Resian when she is harassed for not being born a boy.
• She fails to defend daughters against their father’s decision to have them circumcised.
• She does not speak out against the plot to drug and abduct Resian if she refuses to marry Oloisudori.
• She is part to the women who abduct Taiyo and have her circumcised against her will.

Any other correct point. Expect fully illustrated answers Introduction 2 marks Body 12 marks Language 4 marks Conclusion 2 marks.

25. “When faced with challenges in life, help comes at a time that it is least expected.” Citing evidences from Henry Ole Kulet’s Blossoms of the Savannah, write an essay in support of this statement.

• Most people reach the end of the tether in difficult situations and are just about to give up when help comes suddenly. Most instances of help in Blossoms of the savannah appear coincidental but nonetheless; they change the course of life of the characters as well as shaping the rest of the novel. (Accept any other relevant introduction)
• Olarinkoi seems to be at the right place at the right time. He happens to be the savior of Resian and Taiyo when they need help most. He comes to the rescue of the two girls when they are coming from their father’s shop and are about to be raped by two men, the vagabonds. Olarinkoi single handedly saves the girls by fighting the men. Resian and Taiyo are much grateful and would not want to imagine what would have happened if he had not come at that time, even fearing that they would have been infected with HIV. The incident also made the two girls build up their trust in Olarinkoi, (Pg. 140-143).
• Olarinkoi again comes to the rescue of Resian when she discovers her father’s betrayal by planning to marry her off to Oloisudori. Resian confronts her father at the shop and realizes she has been ‘sold’ to the monster Oloisudori. Her father is hostile to her and beats her up and she runs away. He comes to her rescue when she is even contemplating committing suicide by drowning herself into the Nasila River. At the same time, Oloisudori and his men are looking for her to abduct her. Olarinkoi promises to take her to Minik whom she had been yearning to meet someday. Although the help turns disastrous with Olarinkoi turning against her, she is able to escape the current wrath of Oloisudori. It is while at Olarinkoi’s hut that Nabaru becomes of help and eventually escapes with her to Minik’s Ranch. She also escapes the knife remaining intoiye nemengalana. Olarinkoi’s help then is a blessing in disguise, (Pg. 204-2011, 224, 237, 244-249).
• Taiyo is rescued from the hands of her circumcisers by Minik’s men. Minik’s rescue team in coordination with Joseph Parmuat use tricks to rescue her from the well-guarded home which she would not have escaped in her sickly state. Were it not for Minik’s intervention, Taiyo would surely have been forcefully married off to Oloisudori after healing. The rescue gives Taiyo a new lease of life, reunion with her sister and of course quicker physical and emotional recovery. Their dream of joining Egerton University is equally realized after the recovery, (Pg. 270-274).
• Minik’s help to Resian and Taiyo at the most challenging moment perhaps is the most important event that completely changes their lives. She gives refuge to the girls in her Ranch hence protecting them from the marauding men like Oloisudori and Olarinkoi. She gives Resian a job in the ranch hence giving her something to live on and promises her a scholarship from the Ranch. Most importantly, she is able to have the two girls enrolled at Egerton University, their dream university. These kind gestures create a happy ending in a novel that has been dominated by sad events, (Pg. 261-262, 264-267, 279,281-284). In conclusion, people are about to despair, that is usually the point when help comes. No matter how belated characters like Resian and Taiyo get help, their lives are greatly impacted on and changed by those interventions. (Accept any other relevant conclusion)

26. The rich culture in the Nasila community bonds the people in the society together. Write an essay with clear illustrations from the novel ‘Blossoms of the Savannah’ by Henry Ole Kulet to justify this statement.

• There is an instance of pride in cultural identity. This enhances the Maa’s unique identity as witnessed during Ole Kaelo’s homecoming party. It is manifested in songs and dances (pg44) the jewelry worn by the guests: ivory beads, coloured lessos, kangas and shukas.
• The generosity of the Nasila community as all and sundry are invited to savor in the celebration and partake in typical Maa food and drinks served during the home coming ceremony. (pg51-52)
• The community bond is also laudable in the togetherness seen in the community’s activities. We are told “Life and work was communal.” This evident at Ole Kaelo’s homecoming party, (pgs 42-52) No wonder, Kaelo is overwhelmed at the brotherhood, honour and selflessness he witnesses during his ceremony.
• Nasila way of life clearly defines relationships. And from his consanguinity is kept at bay (pg 118)
• Justice system among the Nasila is apt and acceptable. (pgs 162-164) and (pgs 115-117)
• The Maa people value family. In the family there is love, care and provision. Simiren and his family. (pgs 152 – 155)
• The Maa people have a strong religious/spriual mentality which binds them together. Ole Kaelo’s home is blessed by elders who give good tidings to the children and property (pg38)
• Cultural expectation on love to guard against illicit relationships. (pgs 124-127) “When one fails to heed to advice, they suffer.”

27. "Change is inevitable in any society”. Validate this statement with the illustrations from the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah (By Henry Ole Kulet)

Introduction:  Accept a valid introduction

Points to consider

• Ole Kaelo and his family relocate from Nakuru to Nasila after his retrenchment from Agribix limited. His two daughters, Taiyo and Resian were born and raised up in Nakuru. The idea of leaving Nakuru for a village town, Nasila, is coldly embraced by Taiyo and Resian.
• There is change of Nasilian cultural practices. In the past, culture did not allow an elderly man to marry a girl young enough to be his daughter. It was considered an abomination, and the perpetrators risked being fined heavily besides facing a public rebuke and cleansing ceremony. Ole Kaelo is collaborating with Oloisudori, his age mate, to ensure that he marries his daughter, ResianKaelo.
• There is environmental change. Mama Milanoi recounts how Nasila Rivers had changed. Nasila water was no longer the same clean water that she and her friends drew when they were girls. The water had been polluted. People were emptying sacks of agricultural chemicals and poisonous pollutants into Nasila River.
• There is an emergence of new generational vocal female activists who openly oppose FGM. Minik, a manager of a big sheep ranch and veterinary medicine graduate fights against female circumcision, a practice that is deeply embedded in Nasilian culture. She faces sharp resistance from conservative Nasilans and is christened Emakererei, the wasp.

Conclusion : Accept a valid conclusion

28. “people who do bad deeds to others never go unrepaid” Show the validity of this statement with reference to Henry Ole kulet’s novel “Blossoms of the Savannah”.

In the text, characters like Oloisudori, Ole kaelo and others perpetuate evil towards other characters, but they also receive their equal measure of pain and suffering as discussed below. Oloisudori is a businessman but with questionable deals. Despite his age, and being polygamous, he shamelessly wants to marry Ole Kaelo’s teenage daughter. He blackmails Ole Kaelo into giving his daughter Resian in marriage to him or forgets his numerous business contracts which Oloisudari had helped Ole Kaelo to secure. He further puts Ole kaelo in a tight corner where he has to forcibly circumcise. Taiyo and give her to him in marriage after Resian runs away from home. However, his actions never go unpaid, in a bid to forcibly take his bride from Minik’s ranch, his convoy of vehicles is attacked and several of hi cars burnt. He ends up losing both Resian and Taiyo, his money and his property. Ole kaelo betrays their trust of his daughter Resian. He openly resents Resian and is quick to scold her for the slightest of mistakes. He insults her just because he expected a boy child for his second born and not a girl child. He readily agrees to marry off Resian to Olisudori rather than forfeit his numerous business contracts which Oloisudiri had helped secure. He also turns down her request to join Egerton University saying that he had already received her dowry. However, Ole kaelo pays dearly for his decisions since Resian openly comfronts him at his shop and turns down the marriage deal with Oloisudari, she later escapes from home and leaves Ole kaelo with no option but to give out Taiyo in marriage to Oloisudori. Mama Milanoi’s bad deeds towards her daughters leaves them with a strong dislike for their mother. As a mother, she never comes to the defense of her daughter when Ole kaelo constantly scolds her. She further colludes with her husband to marry off Resian to Oloisudori. They collect gifts and dowry from Oloisudori and even shamelessly hatches a plan on how Olisudari will collect his bride Mama Milano also colludes with the Enkamuratuni to have Taiyo forcibly circumcised thereby causing her a lot of physical and emotional pain. All her actions never go unrepaid as her two daughters all run away from home and vow never to copy her example as their mother. Oloisudori bad deeds towards Resian never go unpunished. He rescues Resian just before her attempted suicide promising to take her to Minik’s Ranch. He however turns on his words, forcibly abducts her with the intentions of marrying her. She endures a long torturous journey at the back of an old pick – up track. She forced to stay in a lonely dark hut and even physically assaults her when his attempted rape on her backfires. He however pays dearly for his actions as Resian bites off his thumb to near amputation during the attempted rape. He is rebuked by his mother for his actions and forced to go into hiding for a number of days.

In conclusion bad deeds are always paid with bad deeds as seen above.

29. Parenting should build an environment of trust and peace in a family. Write an essay that explores how this statement applies to the Ole Kaelo family in Blossoms of the Savannah.

Introduction - (2mks)

Points of interpretation;

- The kind of parenting by Mama Milanoi and her husband does not herald peace and trust in their family. The girls desire to join the university does not receive any attention from the parents. The girls get emotionally affected as a result.

Ole Kaelo's acerbic/stinging tongue is a source of discomfort to his daughters. They enjoy his absence from the house.

The parents secretly conspire to marry off Resian to Oloisudori, which leads to her escape from home and her misery. This betrays her trust.

Resian is fully aware that the father loves Taiyo and hates her. Reasian is always on the receiving end, being cajoled and criticized for this or for that by the father. She knows no peace in the family.

(Any 4 well explained points x 3)

Conclusion - 2mks

Language A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

30. The author has been able to effectively employ irony to bring out the message of the text. Illustrate the effectiveness of this style in the text.

Communication is greatly dependent on the manner of passing the message. One of the most effective ways of communicating is by use of irony. The text Blossoms of the Savannah by H.R Ole Kulet clearly employs this style.

Olarinkoi presents himself as dependable person when he saves Resian and Taiyo from rapists. He however turns out to be a rapist himself he wants to have Resian against her will.

FGM which is a harmful practice to women is practiced, propagated and defended by the people it hurt most women.

Mama Milanoi remains mum even when her daughters are harassed by her husband who wants to have them circumcised and married off to Oloisundori against their wish.

Ole Kaelo opts to marry off his daughter Resian mannered old man, in order to save his business.

Irony as a style is one of the major styles employed by the author to communicate his message.

31. It is resian’s determination that makes her achieve her goals. In the light of what happens in the novel, Blossoms of savannah, Write an essay in support of this assertion.

People who are determined and optimistic in life achieve success in their life endeavors. Although Resia's road to success is in pain, she finally achieves her goals in life as portrayed in Ole Kulet's Blossoms of Savannah.

Resian is determined to join the university. On the day her family packs and leaves Nakuru for Nasila, Resian expresses her feelings about not working at the shop saying that she wants to come back to Nakuru and join Edgerton University. She hopes to take a course in veterinary medicine and become a veterinary doctor. She keeps urging her sister to talk to the father to enroll them at the university. At one point she is worried that her sister has spent all the money decorating the shop and leaves nothing for their University education. She tells her father that even if she lives to be eighty, she will still go to university. Finally, after a long struggle, she is able to enroll at Edgerton University for her dream course. Not giving pays up for her.

Resian is determined not to undergo female circumcision. She is opposed to this retrogressive practice and says that she would rather live in the noisiest place on earth than live anywhere near a vagabond who would accost her with the intention of mutilating her sexuality.Resian is optimistic that soon Nasita culture would do away with FGM as a cultural practice. While she's held captive in Olarinkoi's hut she dreams in her sleep.In her dream she show cases her gallant and determined nature She vows that the old enkamuratani and enkoiboni with a mallet. Her determined resistance against undergoing FGM starts bearing fruits when she and Nabaaru reach Minik's Ranch. This is after a hair-raising and daring escape on the verge of being circumcised in Olarinkoi's hut in inkiito. She is finally safe with Emakererei.Her determination not to be circumcised has borne fruit.

Resian is determined and hopeful of meeting and working with minik ene Nkoitoi,her role model. She dreams of graduating from University and getting a chance to work with Emakorerei. She imagines herself already working at the ranch during a large flock of sheep. She even thinks of asking for help of Joseph Parmuat in composing a song in her praise. When the ill-INTENDED Olarinkoi suggests he could rescue her from oloisudori by taking her to Emakerereri,sje jumps at th idea and falls prey to his evil plans. However after such a struggle, she is able with the help of Nabaaru,to escape from Olarinkoi,s hut and run to minikis ranch. There,she gets her own house ,a job and finally gets to enroll at her dream university and dream course. Her remaining hopes has finally paid off.

Determination not to get married to Oloisuduni forcibly has paid off for Resian. Oloisudori is an old man that Resian describes as a monster. Her father Ole kaelo, intends to give his daughter away in marriage as a seventh wife. However, she is determined to face him and resist his advances on her.she and her sister Taiyo hatch a plan to return the gifts that were part of the dowry by Oloisudori.when Olosudori announces that his fate with Resian is sealed,she responds by telling him that he is mad.He is stunned. She tells her father that she would rather die than get married to a monster,an Ol-ushuushi like Oloisudori,a monster,gangster,bank robber and an extortionist per excellence. Oloisudori makes a final attempt to get either Resian or Taiyo for marriage from Minik's ranch, a move that sees his convoy reduced to ashes. He is thoroughly clobbered and has to run for his life.resian has finally won the battle.

Conclusion.(sample)

It is imperative to say hopeful even in the midist of a storm.Resian, albeit stuggling, succeeded because of her unwavering determination.

Introduction-2mks Body -12mks Conclusion -2mks Language -4mks = 20mks Total

32. Other people’s wrong choices can adversely affect our lives. Justify this statement using Blossoms of the Savannah by Henry Ole Kulet. (20 marks)

Introduction.

When people make poor decisions without good judgement it can negatively have serious consequences to other people’s lives. People like Olekaelo make others suffer due to the poor decision they made. This is illustrated in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah.

CI: Ole Kaelo makes a wrong choice when he engages in business with Oloisudori;

Ole Kaelo is retrenched from Agribix Limited, he chooses to relocate to Nasila, with his family. He opens a shop dealing in Agriculture products. His business is funded by Oloisudori. Oloisudori helps him secure some business contracts. He helps Ole Kaelo secure a 4 year contract to supply all government Institutions in Nasila with agricultural inputs like fertilizer, seeds, herbicides and fungicides. His mentor Ole Supeyo warns him against his involvement with Oloisudori. He says that Oloisudori is corrupt. He equates him to a hyena and a randy he-goat and cautions Ole Kaelo to keep him away from his daughters. Ole Kaelo does not listen. This choice haunts him when Oloisudori asks for his daughter Resian’s hand in marriage. Resian has to be circumcised first. This affects Resian her dream to enroll at Egerton University. When she learns of her father’s plan, she confronts him at his shop and he slaps her in anger after she refuse the proposal calling Oloisudori a monster. Resian also runs to Nasilariver. She contemplates suicide. (pg 107-113, 114- 119, pg 176-180, 205-206, 207-210)

CII : Ole Kaelo makes a poor choice to deny Resian and Taiyo a chance to pursue their Education at Egerton University.

Ole Kaelo has been reassimilated to the Nasila culture, during the home coming ceremony Ole Musankaadvice him to come back to Nasila and embrace the pillars. He takes this advice of bringing his family back into the Nasila fold.

He asks Joseph Parmuat to teach them cultural aspect of Nasila in preparation for circumcision and marriage. Resian coaxes her sister Taiyo to speak and convince their father about joining Egerton University on so many other occasions because she burns with passion for education and wants to fulfill her ambition of joining Egerton University. When she tries to ask the father he gets angry at her. Ole Kaelo says he thought of it but decided not to send her there because she has had enough of formal education. He even accepts the bride price in suitcase from Oloisudori. He fails to protect her daughter from advances by the evil and corrupt extortionist. This affects Resian, she suffers emotionally and tells the father he’d rather kill him than hand her over to his monster friend. A monster, gangster, and a bank robber. The father slaps her and she rans away from home then later joins Emakererei. (pg. 37-47, 198- 203, 204-205, 206- 210)

CIII: Mama Milanoi makes an unwise choice to keep a low profile and not protecting herd aughters when subjected to punitive cultural practices.

Ole Musanka advices the women to re-assimilate mama Milanoi and her daughters. She was also torn in a dilemma to support her daughters and be a pariah in Nasila or accept to follow tradition and lose her daughters trust. She chooses to be submissive to the husband and accept to circumcise and marry them off. Taiyo and Resian suffer the stigma of being labelled intoiyenemengalana. Ole Kaelo plans to circumcise Resian and marry her off to Oloisudori. Mama Milanoi knows that its her dream to join Egerton University and pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine. She however fails to defend Resian against the pressure from society to have her circumcised and marry them off. She knows that FGM is torturous and painful experience but she still fails to speak to Ole Kaelo against it. She is aware to the details of having Resian abducted and forcefully circumcised but still remains silent. Resian escapes from home and separates with her family. Taiyo is also psychologically damaged she says it will take long before conscience reconcile with what happened to her. The damage done to her will be indelibly printed in her memory. (pg 113- 119, 37-47, 203-205, 272-275)

C.(IV). Mama Milanoi decides to collude with the three blind mice affects Taiyo.

Resian runs away with Olarinkoi to avoid marriage to Oloisudori, Taiyo is offered as replacement. Mama Milanoi allows her to accompany the three women from Esoit, they lie to Taiyo that Resian is on a hunger strike and has gone for three days without eating. They want her to accompany them to Esoit for Resians sake. She complies and accompanies them happily since her mother assures her that their father had vowed never to try to marry them by force to any man. At Esoit no one attends to her but she is left in a dingy hut. The next morning they drag her out and poured cold water on her then the enkamurataniforciblt circumcise her. She passes out. She is later rescued by Minik the guard to a beer party. Parmuat is speared to death. Taiyo is affected psychologically, she says that the damage done to her will be indelibly printed in her memory. (pg 270-273, 272-275)

C.(V): Olarinkoi chooses to attempt raping Taiyo and it affects her.

Resianrans away from home and Olarinkoi finds her by the river, he lies to her that Oloisudori’s men are looking for her all over. He offers to take her to Ntarenaaju to meet Minik. She complies since he had saved them from the vagabond whenNtaraMuyo tried to rape them. He take her to his dingy hut and came back at night stone drunk. Insisting Resian is his wife. He even try to force her to cook maize meal and meat. He mocks her about her education and forcefully grabs her attempting to rape her then tore her clothes. Resian defends herself by pushing his thumb into his mouth and biting his thumb almost severing it. He also knocks Resian on her ribcage with his elbow until she became unconscious. He had a choice of being patient to fulfill the mother’s prophecy but he decided to deep his hands in the porridge before it was served to him. She bled and her head throbbed with an excruciating pain, blood trickled from her nostril; she nosebleed. She also suffers psychologically, she was tortured. She saw distorted images moving and a lonely darkness. Images of Olarinkoi and Oloisudori merged haunting her and becoming one great terror. (pg 217-222)

Conclusion In conclusion, choices have consequences.

33. “The frustrations faced by people in the contemporary times can be traced to the conduct of a few immoral individuals.’’ Write an essay supporting this statement drawing illustrations from Ole Kulet`s Blossoms of the savannah.

Introduction Moral decadence is a vice which leads to several negative consequences in the society. Immoral people such as rapists, extortionists, thieves and others abuse the rights of people hence leading to frustrated lives. In Blossoms of the Savannah, characters like Oloisudori, Olarinkoi, the warriors ,Lante and Ntara have frustrated various people as explained below.

• p110 As a blackmailer, his demand for Resian makes Ole Kaelo seethe with impotent fury
• p111 it excrutiatingly pained him that circumstances would force him to hand any of his daughters to a man who was not their choice
• p112 He cried and his heart bled for Resian amid threats of being fleeced by Oloisudori. He had had to agree that she becomes sacrificial lamb
• p112 ole Kaelo infuriated by Ole Kaelos demand that Resian be circumcised,he felt sick and nauseated by the whole affair.
• P113  Mama Milanoi tossed, writhed and cried like a a woman in labour.This is not what she had dreamed to achieve in Nasila.She sadly admits there is no other action they can take other than hand over Resian
• p119 Ole Kaelo gritted his teeth like an animal that was unable to free itself from a snare
• p85 when he killed  two men, women squirmed  and gasped while the men ground their teeth with impotent fury
• p86 the Maa men hold meeting after meeting  to find ways to resist the perplexing demands but found no workable solution
• P86 Women perturbed as they were forced to to compose lewd songs which they had to perform in the most outrageous and and indecent postures and styles
• Women angry because forced to perform the offensive dances with their daughters
• Women hated themselves as they were unable to resist the sexual demands of the Ilarinkon
• In frustration, they resorted to FGM.
• p228 she insultingly tells Resian that she ought not to have fought Olarinkoi as she had no honour to defend as intoiyenemengalana
• Resian stares at her frightfully, a new hopelessness and helplessness threatening to wreck havoc in her
• Resian cried out silently unable to bear the detestable stressful disgusting verbiage from the old witch, but is forced to listen to the nasty loathsome  foul language
• p229 when threatened with FGM, she cries out bitterly “what have I done to the gods to deserve this kind of punishment?
• p19 The vagabond spits in disgust and tells them there is no room for intoiyenemengalana. He roughly grabs Taiyo’s arm. The girls are shaken and note that they would have been helpless in the hands of the brute. Taiyo sheds tears of anger and indignation
• p46 the vagabond sneers at the girls in their own home during the homecoming. This goes unnoticed by the crowd and the girls felt angry, terrified and isolated although they were in a crowd
• p 141 When two men almost rape the girls,they scream but cant restrain the two men who have heavy knobkerries
• Later they sob with rage and shame The near rape incident left a feeling of invasion and degradation
• Taiyo seethes with fury at a society that despised women Conclusion: We should behave in a morally upright manner to avoid bringing emotional suffering to ourselves and others in society.
• Accept any other relevant point as long as it is well identified, illustrated and explained. Eg Ole Kaelo’s hatred for Resian, Ole Kaelos greed, Oloisudoris insensitive bullying of Resian, etc –
• Mark any other relevant introduction and conclusion.
• Introduction (2mks)
• Body 3:3:3:3: 12mks
• Grammar and presentation mark: 4mks 9 – 12  3mks 6 – 8  2mks 4 – 5  1mk 1 – 3  1mk
• Must have introduction and conclusion, if not deduct 3AD –
• Conclusion (2mks). Accept any  other relevant  conclusion.

34. "When we create with concerted effort strong bonds and relationships, we can easily overcome challenges that come our way." Justify this assertion citing evidences from Henry Ole Kulet's Blossoms of the Savannah.

• What challenge/obstacle/problem down to access
• How does their bond come in handy to help alleviate/ overcome the challenge?

NB: How their strong bond works to help in a given challenge must clearly be brought out for the candidate to score a full mark in any point

• In Blossoms of the Savannah, Taiyo and Resian, Resian and Nabaru and Resian are some of the characters that forge deep friendship which helps go over the many problems that befall them. (Accept any other relevant introduction) 2marks

ILLUSTRATIONS B(i) When Taiyo and Resian are accosted by a vagabond on their first day in Nasila, their closeness helps them avert a would-be worse scenario. Resian asks the vagabond to leave her sister's hand. She reminds him that they don't have any money on them. Taiyo on her informs the vagabond that they are not the type of women he thinks. Later when Resian is traumatized by the experience, Taiyo comes in to reassure her by promising to talk to their father about the possibility of going back to Nakuru. Pp. 14-19, 32-33.

B(ii)On realizing that Resian is always tempestuous after the father's constant tongue-lashing and that even their mother would not help them, Taiyo takes it upon herself to mob her sister's tears. Right from nursery school through to secondary, Taiyo who was fiercely devoted to her sister' ensured that she protected her sister from the bullies. She was also keen and 'always sensed her sister's yearnings.' PP. 32- 34.

B(iii) The two sisters bank on their love to outwit Oloisudori upon realizing that their mother and father would not assist them at all. They come up with a conspiracy to return the gifts as a reciprocal gesture to Oloisudori. This is to prove a point- that they are focused girls with a clear map of what they want in life. They also plan that they would feign innocence until when Oloisudori's intentions become apparently clear to them. Taiyo advises Resian to ensure that he doesn't remain alone in the house with oloisudori for he may harm her. This plan works to their favour as Resian is able to face-off Oloisudori and beat them at their plan- that of forced marriage. Pp. 195-205

B(iv) After Resian is rebuked by her father for refusing to serve Oloisdori , Resian runs out into the cold at night. Taiyo follows her out in the cold and condemns her for endang her life. She urges her to go back into the house so as not to catch a cold. Pp. 169-173

B(v) Resian forms a formidable alliance with Nabaru to defeat Olarinkoi and the enkoiboni's schemes. Nabaru becomes Resian's confidant. She buys into Resian's dream. She feveals the evils planned out against Resian and goes out of her way to rescue Resian into the I Despite Olarinkoi's infantile threats, she delivers Resian safely to her nirvana. Pp.220-223; 230-245; 248-252, 262-265

B(vi) Taiyo and Resian forge a strong bond with the Minik and the over 400 girls they find at the Ranch. It is this bond that has thrived between them that helps them to vanquish Oloisudori. Because of the love Minik has developed for the girls, he faces Oloisudor, a man of means and humiliates him publicly. Together with other energetic workers they burn down Oloisudori's convoy and ashes and also beat him thoroughly. With their biggest threat behind Pp. 279-284 (Accept any 4 well pasip, the two girls embark on their academic journey. 

35. Irresponsible decisions can lead to serious consequences. Referring closely to H.R. Ole Kulet’s Blossoms of the Savannah, write an essay in support of this statement.

When people make decisions that are devoid of good judgment the results are usually adverse. This is well illustrated by Ole Kulet in his book Blossoms of savannah.

• Ole Kaelo makes an irresponsible decision when he engages in business with Oloisudori. When Ole Kaelo is retrenched from Agribix Limited. He chooses to relocate to Nasila, his native home, with his family. Here, he opens a shop dealing in Agricultural products. His business is funded by Oloisudori. Oloisudori also helps him to secure some business contracts. He helps Ole Kaelo to secure a 4 years contract to supply all government institutions in Nasila with Agricultural inputs like fertilizer, seeds, herbicides and fungicides. His mentor Ole Supeyo warns him against his involvement with Oloisudori. He says that Oloisudori is corrupt. He equates him to a hyena and a randy he-goat and cautions Ole Kaelo to keep him away from his daughters. Ole Kaelo does no heed. This decision haunts him when Oloisudori asks for his daughter Resians’ hand in marriage. Resian has to be circumcised first. Her dream is to enroll at Egerton University. When she learns of her father’s plan, she confronts him at his shop and he slaps her, further straining their relationship. She runs to Nasila river where she contemplates suicide. Olarinkoi finds her and promises to take her to Ntare naaju to meet Minik ene Nkoitoi, who could help her pursue her education. Ole Kaelo’s rash decision makes him to lose his daughter. She leaves Nasila with Olarinkoi.
• Mama Milanoi makes an unwise decision when she keeps a low profile when her daughters are subjected to punitive cultural practices. When they relocate to Nasila after Ole Kaelo is retrenched, Taiyo and Resian suffer the stigma of being labeled “intoiye nemengalana”. Ole Kaelo plans to circumcise Resian and marry her off to Oloisudori. Mama Milanoi knows that her dream is to join Egerton University and pursue a degree in Veterinary medicine. She however fails to defend Resian against her will. She succumbs to the pressure of the Nasillian culture. She knows that FGM is a torturous and painful experience but she still fails to speak to Ole Kaelo against it. She is privy to the details of having Resian abducted and forcefully circumcised but she still remains silent. The painful outcome of her subservience is that Resian escapes from home with the help of Olarinkoi and she eventually manages to meet Minik ene Nkoitoi and to enroll at Egerton University. Mama Milanoi loses her daughter’s trust.
• Ole Kaelo suffers when he chooses to deny Resian and Taiyo a chance to pursue their education at Egerton University. Parsimei Ole Kaelo instead asks Joseph Parmuat, to teach them cultural aspects of Nasila in preparation for circumcision and marriage. Resians coaxes her sister Taiyo to speak to their father about the prospect of joining Egerton University on so many occasions because she burns with passion for education. When she tries to ask her father, he gets so angry at her. He warms up to the idea of marrying her to Oloisudori. Ole Kaelo receives gifts and money from him. He fails to protect her daughter from advances by the corrupt extortionist. Resian finally escapes from Nasila with the help of Olarinkoi and later managed to meet Minik ene Nkoitoi who helps her to finally leave for Nakuru to join Egerton University. Oloisudori loses her as a result.
• Oloisudori errs in his decision to follow Resian and Taiyo all the way to Ntare naaju ranch. When his first choice for a wife, Resian, runs away with Olarinkoi, the Kaelo’s offer Taiyo as a replacement. Minik’s men managed to rescue her from Esoit village but not before she is circumcised. When he loses both of them. Oloisudorii pursues them up to Minik ene Nkoitoi’s ranch. He knows that Minik is referred to as ‘entangoroi’ or wasp but still chooses to confront her. He demands for either Resian or Taiyo saying he has paid dowry enough for both. Minik says that she will not release them even to their own father. She asks Oloisudori to leave. He asks his men to grab Resian and pandemonium ensues. Minik’s 400 workers descend upon them and clobber them thoroughly before torching his expensive vehicles and reducing them to smoldering shells. Oloisudori loses his vehicles and still fails to get Resian as a wife even after spending a lot of money, time and effort.
• Olarinkoi makes two foolish decisions. First, he abducts Resian and then he tries to rape her. When Resian runs away from home and is contemplating her next course of action by the Nasila River, Olarinkoi arrives and tells her that Oloisudori’s men are looking for her all over. He offers to take her to Ntare naaju to meet Minik her icon. She complies owing to the fact that she trusts him since he has been a regular visitor at their home and he saves Taiyo and her when the vagabonds, Ntara Muyo and Lante, try to rape them. Olatinkoi does not keep his word. He instead takes her to Inkiito. He locks her up in a dingy hut. That night he comes back stone drunk insisting that Resian is his wife. He mocks her about her education and he forcefully grabs her tearing her clothes and pushing his thumb into her mouth and sinking her teeth into it until he bleeds. She almost severe the thumb. Olarinkoi suffers physically and also emotionally when he is admonished by his mother until he goes into hiding due to shame. Naburu, the nurse, who was contradicted by the mono-eyed woman to take care of Resian after circumcision helps to rescue her when she brings a lorry driver, who takes them to Ntare naaju. Apart from the physical and emotional pain, Olarinkoi fails to get Resian as a wife’s a result of his irresponsible decision.
• Mama Milanoi makes an irrepressible decision when she tricks Taiyo into circumcision. When Resian runs away with Olarinkoi to avoid marriage to Oloisudori, Taiyo is offered as a replacement. Mama Milanoi alows her to accompany the three women from Esoit. They lie to Taiyo that Resia bis on a hunger strike and has gone for three days without eating. They want her to accompany them to Esoit for Resian’s sake. She complies and accompanies them happily since her mother assures her that their father and power never to try to marry them by force to any man. At Esoit she is thrown into turmoil as no one attends to her or talks about Resian. She is instead left in a dingy hut. The next morning, she is dragged out of the hut by a group of excited women, 20 liters of cold water is emptied on her head before she is forcibly circumcised by ‘enkamuratani’. The ordeal is so painful that she passes out. She is later rescued by Minik’s men with the help of Joseph Parmuat, who tricks the guards guarding her, with alcohol. The guards attempt to chase after Minik’s men, pelting them with stones, but they fail. Parmuat is speared to death. Mama Milanoi loses Taoiyo when she is taken to Minik’s ranch.

In conclusion, through characters like Oloisudoiri and Olarinkoi, we learn that foolish decisions usually lead to adverse consequences.

Mark 3:3:3:3 Introduction: 2 mks (Any other relevant introduction) Body: 12 mks (4 well elaborated points) Language: up to 4 mks (Language pegged on marks from the body) Conclusion: up to 2 marks (Any other relevant introduction) 

36. In a male-dominated society, only women who are resilient in character overcome the hurdles placed on their paths. Write an essay justifying the assertion with clear illustrations from Henry ole Kulet's Blossoms of the Savannah. (20 marks)

Point of interpretation

• Their resilience
• Background information
• Details on the challenges and their resilience
• Success (outcome)

In the Blossoms of the Savannah, women who are resilient and determines no matter the challenges always succeed in the end.

• Resian is determined to go to the university. She has desires to join Egerton University and pursue veterinary Science. (18) She constantly asked Yeiyo amd Taiyo to talk to their father. (183) Her father, Ole Kaelo prefers marrying Resian off to Oloisudori to educating her. (101, 169, 185 197,203-209) She manages to escape and get to Emakererei (262)
• Resian is determined to fight off being married forcefully to Oloisudori, despite the father's and Oloisudori's insistence. (101. 169, 185-197, 203-209) she manages to escape their plans by the help of Olarinkoi(209) and even gets to Minik's ranch (262) who protects her from the clutches of oloisudori.(282-284)
• Minik ene Nkoitoi, Emakererei, is focused on rescuing the girl-child from the FGM practice. The society values this practice and one who has not undergone it is deragoratorilly called ntoiye nemengalana. she's been considered as a wasp( 21-22, 52) she saves th girls at her ranch (21, 265-284)
•  Minik ene Nkoitoi has set her eyes on educating the girl-child despite the resistance from the Nasilian male-chauvinists.
• Resian fights olarinkoi from raping her. He worms into their family doing odd jobs (67,74) and wins the girls's trust by protecting them from the vagabonds(140-143) she uses that fact to lure resian to his place (209) and tries to rape her and also forces to marry her (218-222) she escapes to Minik's place(262)
• Nabaru fights for Resian against Olarinkoi and his mother to get her Emakererei. Nabaru takes care of resian when she's hurt( 224-233) she helps her escape to Nabaru's (245-253) In conclusion, one needs to beat all odds to achieve their dreams

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Blossoms of the Savannah Revised & Final Notes

This study guide provides a detailed analysis of the novel Blossoms of the Savannah . The analysis is aimed at preparing KCSE candidates for both the excerpt and the compulsory essay question in paper two and three respectively. This guide is written in a manner that both the candidates and teachers will immensely benefit from it.

This has been achieved through the presentation of a succinct synopsis, detailed chapter summaries, as well as deeply analyzed characters, themes and stylistic devices.

At the end of each of these sections, there are sample essay questions to guide students in revising and preparing for both the internal and national exams.

There are also general essay questions, sample and practice excerpts, all meant to prepare students for KCSE English paper two and three.

This guide might not have exhaustively analyzed the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah . Therefore, students are advised to consult other authorities such as their teachers in order to enrich what is contained in this guide.

THE BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY OLE KULET

Henry ole Kulet was born in 1946. He is a veteran and award winning Kenyan writer known for his novels which capture aspects of environment, culture and experiences of Maasai people.

He is an established author for he has written eight novels. Daughter of Maa is a story of quiet village that is stirred by a frenzy of activities by the arrival of a young and pretty community teacher, Anna Walangh.

He authored It is possible in 1971, How To became a Man in 1972 and Bandits of Kibi in 1999. In Bandits of Kibi , he created sceneswhich came out during the Post-Election Violence in 2007 after the disputed elections.  

CHAPTER ONE

Synopsis and summaries of chapters, synopsis of blossoms of the savannah.

The novel begins as Kaelo, his wife, Taiyo and Resian leave Nakuru for Nasila, a rural area in Maasai land.  This is as a result of retrenchment of Kaelo who has been working as the manager of Agribix Limited. On reaching Nasila, Ole Kaelo’s are welcomed by uncle Simiren’s family which consists of four wives and sixteen children.  In a move towards settling in Nasila the new home, Ole Kaelo visits his old friend Ole Sumpeyo.  It is thirty years since Ole Kaelo left Nasila for Nakuru.

The Kaelo’s hold a homecoming party in which they invite members from the five clans aimed at re-linking the Kaelo family to the other villagers. Taiyo and Resian observe that some young men are suspicious of them for they are not circumcised. In an attempt of acquainting the two girls with Nasila culture, Kaelo informs Joseph Parmuat to teach Taiyo and Resian traditional songs and dances. As the young ones spend more time together, a love relationship begins to develop between Taiyo and Joseph but unfortunately due to cultural demands the relationship is restrained.

Unfortunately, there is an attempted rape on Resian and Taiyo. Consequently, an ad hoc group of men is formed to hunt down the culprits. After it is known that Lante and Ntara are responsible for the heinous act, punishment is meted on them. The novel reveals of how females have contributed significantly to the beginning and continuation of FGM through the Olarinkoi legendary story.

Kaelo opens an agricultural shop and enters into business contracts through Oloisudori who isconversant with shady businesses. Oloisudori’s aim is to exploite Kaelo. After realizing that Kaelo has beautiful daughters, he chooses to marry one and organize for the other one to be married by his friend instead of extorting him. Oloisudori comes in a procession and gives gifts and money as dowry for the young Resian. Since Resian disagrees with Oloisudori and her father’s plan, Oloisudori plans to use anesthesia to render Resian unconscious so that he may snatch her for marriage by force. However, the girls craft a scheme of shaming Oloisudori in which they return the gifts Oloisudori had given them earlier.

The couple goes to consult Simiren and Sumpeyo on how to deal with Oloisudori’s demands as the girls go to the shop.  On their way back, the girls are almost raped by two callous young men. Later on, after Resian refuses to cooperate, Oloisudori gets enraged and slaps her mercilessly. It is Olarinkoi who supposedly saves her by whisking her away before she commits suicide.

Olarinkoi organizes with a pick-up driver so that he whisks Resian away claiming to ensure her safety from Oloisudori and her father. The three have a trek of terror which leaves Resian raped by Olarinkoi in a dark hut in the forest. On regaining consciousness, she finds herself under the care of Nabaru, a nurse who reveals everything that transpired.

Finally, with the help of Nabaru Resian comes face to face with Minik ene Nkoitoi, the activist against FGM in the sheep’s ranch. She welcomes Nabaru and Resian warmly. Resian learns that Oloisudori has advertised in the newspaper for her search.  Minik’s pivotal role is evident in that in the ranch there are other five hundred girls who have gone through a similar experience just like Resian. On the other hand, Taiyo faces the painful blade of the Olmurunya. While managing the ranch, Minik meets a new challenge in which the powerful in the government are threatening to close the ranch. However, Minik, the foresighted planner ensures the survival of the ranch. Resian learns of the unfortunate death of Joseph Parmuat. He is killed in his mission of saving Taiyo from a group that circumcises her by force. At long last, Resian meets Taiyo at the ranch

Oloisudori makes his last heinous kicks by visiting the ranch to demand Resian as his wife.  He is told off by Minik. With his company, he flees for his life after his cars are burnt down. The ultimate goal is attained when Minik takes Taiyo and Resian to Egerton University where Resian has a chance of studying her dream course.

CHAPTER SUMMARIES

CHAPTER 1: THE JOUNERY

As the novel begins, Ole Kaelo is reprimanding loaders for being slow. The couple is relocating from Nakuru to Nasila after Ole Kaelo is retrenched from Agribix Limited where he has been working as the commercial manager. Not long ago Kaelo had denied Taiyo a chance to go to Mombasa to develop her talent. That is why Taiyo sympathizes with the loaders who are receiving strict instructions from her father. The two girls visualize what life in the new environment will be like. The girls are experiencing apprehension. Nakuru town has always bustled with life and they fear the shop that their father aims at starting may not pick.

Taiyo encourages Resian that they should hope for the best. Resian requests Taiyo to plead with their father so that they can join Egerton University. Resian knows her father listens to Taiyo. Through a flash back, the reader learns that Ole Kaelo and his wife Mama Milanoi have lived for twenty two years since they married. Women from Nasila had earlier visited Mama Milanoi at Nakuru and hinted at the hostility expected especially because the daughters are not married.  Kaelo has been a hardworking man, a trait that led to his promotion at Agribix Limited. The retrenchment has triggered ambition to work so as to be rich. A few kilometers to Nasila one lorry breaks down but soon it is fixed and the family reach uncle Simiren’s homestead where they are welcomed warmly. It is now thirty years since Ole Kaelo left Nasila for Nakuru. In all this time he has been away, uncle Simiren has been representing his elder brother. Elders are not happy with Kaelo’s monogamous marriage. Simiren on his part has four wives and sixteen children

CHAPTER 2: NASILA

Life at the rural Nasila is contrasted with that of Nakuru town. Uncle Simiren is a polygamous man. He has four wives and sixteen children. Each of these wives has a house .The girls are introduced to the sixteen cousins by the senior most aunt, and the eldest wife. The children are aged between three and sixteen years and out of the four wives, two aunts are pregnant.Resian and Taiyo are allowed to go walking. The girls make the observation that the four aunts are not happy as well and the kids are not contented. Resian outrightly says she is not ready to be a parent and that she will first learn. They are accosted by a tall heavyset young man with thick dark beard and a moustache. Resian orders the man to leave Taiyo alone. According to the man, the girls are not decent for they are uncircumcised. The girls keep the ordeal as a secret.Ole Kaelo visits ole Sumpeyo, a famous cattle trader and a longtime friend who supports FGM. Ironically, even though a close friend, Sumpeyo is malicious and envious of Kaelo especially when he learns of his great business plan. He however warns him to be wary of Oloisudori, a business partner, and advises him to keep his daughters away from him.

CHAPTER 3: STRANGE VISITORS

Ole Kaelo ushers his family into the newlyconstructed house. The Kaelo’s are elated by the new house. In a flashback Mama Milanoi remembers how she was married by Kaelo while she was eighteen and Kaelo twenty four years old. The couple has enjoyed peace generally since then but since she does not have a son, Mama Milanoi feels she has failed Kaelo. In a dialogue, we learn that Taiyo and Resian areafraid of undergoing the act and wish to go back to Nakuru and join university. Ina dramatic irony we realizethat Kaelo has been hard and cruel to Resian for he expected a son to be born in her place. Although Taiyo does not understand the cause of the hatred, she always defends her sister devotedly even when her mother doesnot offer any protection. Probably Mama Milano is afraid of ole Kaelo.

CHAPTER 4: HOME COMING CEREMONY

In order to re-link himself to the community ole Kaelo holds a big celebration party which is also made for blessing his home. Members from the five Maa clans: Ilmolelian, Ilmakesen, Ilukumae, Ilaiser and illtarosero are invited. The Kaelo’s belong to the Ilmolelian clan. Ole Kaelo’s are very actively involved in the preparation of the homecoming ceremony. During the dances, Taiyo is attracted to the manager of music, a young local primary school music teacher Joseph Parmuat but unfortunately they belong to the same clan and forging any intimate relationship is an abomination. A carnival mood is witnessed during the party for the generous Kaelo, has offered plenty of foodstuffs.

In the danceTaiyo’s talent is brought forth for she is really attracted to the song and dance. We learn that she has always done well in music festivals too. Unfortunately, her father denied her a chance to go for a music extravaganza in Mombasa which would have developed her talent. Lastly, Musanka leads in the blessing section. He calls upon the community to welcome the Kaelo’s back home. Kaelo is advised to involve himself in the community affairs and Nasila. He is also advised to take care of his family and children.

CHAPTER 5: DEPRESSED ONE

Taiyo and Resian are distressed. Resian feels Taiyo is taking too long before broaching theissue of their university studies with their father. The issue of FGM makes the two girls have a sleepless night. Taiyo is also disturbed by the cultural law that does not allow her relationship with Joseph Parmuat, the primary school teacher and a music enthusiast. The two girls cry a lot that night. The day before, Joseph had promised to visit herand also coach her in traditional music.The thought of enkamuratani (circumciser) and Olmurunya (circumcising blade) makes Taiyo shudder with dread.In Resian’s mind it is clear that enkamuratani and her Olmurunya cannot have their way with her, maybe over her dead body.

Contrastingly Kaelo and his wife enjoy a great night after the day of the great party and blessings.  They feel fulfilled for the great achievement, getting welcomed as well as being blessed.  In her morning thoughts, Mama Milanoi is at a dilemma, whether to force the girls to undergo the ritual and lose their faith, love and confidence or refuse to yield to the traditions and become a pariah in the Ilmolelian clan.Kaelo authoritatively states his demands; mama Milanoi is to counsel her daughters in preparations for circumcision while he is to ask Parmuat to teach the girls home truths and later enkamuratani to be called to do her part.Mama Milanoi interrogatively reflects on her stand and that of her family.  She feels her husband is turning into a deep Nasilian very fast.Afterwards, the Kaelo’s visit their agricultural shop. On arriving home, the three females welcome Joseph Parmuat delightfully. As the chapter ends, a second male visitor visits the Kaelo’s.

CHAPTER 6: OLARINKOI

Kaelo makes a pompous speech introducing Joseph Parmuat.  Despite the warning, Taiyo is still infatuated with Joseph and decides to make him a confidante.  Resian is critical and dismissive of her father’s pompous speech and generally how females are viewed by men.  In a defiant mood, Resian expresses her mind on the subject of unfair men towards women.  Surprisingly and daringly, sheportrays the defiance to her aunt, mother and Resian.

The listeners are deeply embarrassed.  Aunt Botorr says Resian has a bad spirit that can only be treated through circumcision.  Taiyo’s questionswho Olarinkoi is and is answered by Joseph by telling a legendary story.  Ilarinkon is a legend who was a great fighter who saved the Maa community from being wiped out by an adversary while their morans had gone for a raid.  Ilarinkon warriors abused women until one day women discovered how to deal with the problem.  Their collective resolution ironically gave birth to enkamuratani who was handed over an Olmurunya . Hence the birth of FGM and therefore according to Joseph, only women can stop the barbaric FGM.

CHAPTER 7: SHADOWY OLOISUDORI

Resian is in an optimistic mood that all will be well especially about their university education.  After Taiyo leaves for the shop, Mama Milanoi broaches the subject of FGM.  Even though Mama Milanoi supports FGM, Resian is categorical that it has been used by men as a tool of oppression to women. One Edward Oloisudori visits Kaelo’s home.  Resian is uncomfortable with him for he is immoral.  Mother scorns her for talking ill about him.  Father returns and due to Resian’s nervousness, he calls her names.  Kaelo clearly states that all members of Kaelo family must respect Oloisudori and that he should not be denied anything.  Resian learns that her father did not give in to the request about joining university.

Joseph reveals that Oloisudori is a shadowy figure; a Jack -of-all-trades. He is also, a poacher, smuggler, robber, extortionist and a hired assassin.  He had survived numerous jail terms and was now incorrigible.  Due to the revelation, the girls fear for their father.  When Oloisudori leaves, the countenance of Kaelo and Mama Milanoi changes; they are absent-minded and aloof even though Kaelo insists that everything is in control. Mama Milanoi even burns rice without realizing it.

CHAPTER 8: TROUBLED COUPLE

Oloisudori’s cruel demand, to marry Resian and organize the marriage of Taiyo renders Kaelo and Mama Milanoi a sleepless night.  Although Kaelo knew Oloisudori’s past criminal record, he still falls for his trap due to greed for wealth. Oloisudori’s initial plan was to extort money from Kaelo but on noticing his two beautiful daughters he changed his mind.Mama Milanoi suffers great pain and cries for the olden days when demands such as those of Oloisudori would be dealt with accordingly. Mama Milanoi recalls through flashback how women had invoked mass action on men in the past by depriving men food, milk and beating them up while naked.  She contrasts those times with the current times when Nasila River is polluted with chemicals.  She fears that Oloisudori may kill her daughter.Despite the hard times the Kaelo’s are experiencing, the following morning, the members manage to afford smiles as they take tea. Even the entrance of Olarinkoi does not dampen the high spirits embraced by the Kaelo’s.

CHAPTER 9: LOVE

Joseph Parmuat begins a routine practice of coaching Taiyo and Resian on traditional songs and dances and the trio enjoy it immensely. Joseph Parmuat guards against any untoward behavior so as to conserve his integrity.  The chapter then says a lot about the Maa Culture on different subjects.  He explains different types of loves to the two girls; elangatare and patureishi .  Resian boldly asks Joseph to be her patureishi but he explains how it is impossible for that to happen due to Nasila cultural norms. Taiyo and Resian question the rigidity of Nasila culture and traditions. They question some negative practices like F.G.M Joseph clarifies that culture had dropped some negative practices like throwing the dead and the dying to the hyenas, abandoning very old and ill in deserted homesteads.  In a flashback, Taiyo accounts for her love to Joseph.  It began on the day their father organized a homecoming celebration and since then she has even visited Joseph in his house.  Joseph also feels strong love to her but traditions shields him from her.  They think of falling in love and leaving for a far destination.  Taiyo is ready but Joseph is prefers to abide by Nasila culture.

CHAPTER 10: OLARINKOI VERSUS THE RAPISTS

A cloud of apprehension hangs around the couple. Oloisudori does not turn up as he had promised earlier. After procrastinating for some time they find it unbearable. Mother and father leave their home so as to consult their friends; the wife to Simiren and Ole Kaelo to Supeyo, on the issue touching on Oloisudori’s callous demand to marry one of their daughters.  The two girls go to the shop to have their lunch prepared by the manager, Maiso.  On their return journey, they are attacked by two rude young men. On observing the two men, they realise one of the accosters was responsible for the earlier ambush.The two young men are frightening for they are in possession of knobkerries. They attempt to rape them but luckily the girls are rescued by Olarinkoi. The girls cannot thank Olarinkoi enough. The two girls detest the two young men’s behaviour. The girls feel terribly shaken. Resian feels she should leave Nasila for university. The incident strengthens Taiyo’s resolve as a combatant in a war zone.

CHAPTER 11: CHANGE OF ENVIRONMENT

Taiyo and Resian wait for their parent’s return to tell them of the near rape ordeal as they were coming from their shop at Nasila.  Ole Kaelo is very agitated on hearing that his daughters were assaulted with the aim of being raped.  Their father storms out of the house while their mother asks them to go to Simiren’s house to have a change of environment.

The girls are heartily welcomed at their uncle’s home and that enables them to settle very fast.  They get used to the communal and polygamous running of affairs at their uncle’s home.  They learn very many aspects of Nasila culture, both negative and positive.  They are told more about Minik ene Nkoitoi, the Emakererei and their role model by one of Simiren’s wives. They are told that she went to Makerere University where she studied veterinary medicine.  They admire her opposition of negative Nasila culture and say they would like to be like her. Through flashback, it is revealed that Resian’s interest in vet medicine began when she and Taiyo accompanied their father to agricultural show in Nakuru and since then, she has admired the profession.  Taiyo plans to compose a song with the help of Joseph Parmuat praising Minik and ridiculing three women who still clung on retrogressive Nasilian culture. Later, they are asked to return home by their parents.  A party, which their parents also attend, is held for them after which they return home.

CHAPTER 12: RETALIATION

Ole Kaelo hits the road angry and bitter and complaining to all he meets about the beastly attack on his daughter.  He goes to the school where Joseph teaches and explains the events heading to his anger.  Joseph parades all pupils, and sends boys from the Ilmolelian clan to go and call their elder brothers and fathers to an urgent meeting at Oerata plain.

The search party narrows down on Lante son of Kanyira of Ilukumae clan and Ntara son of Muyo, also of Ilukumae clan as the culprits.  They decide to embark on a revenge mission to prevent further provocation from the Illukumae clan. The retaliation is done by the young and old men from Iimolelian clan and the sympathizers from Limakesenclan. The search party comes across the two culprits who ran and fall under the feet of two old men begging for mercy.  According to Nasila culture, a man is spared of any crime if he hides his head between the legs of an old man.  Nevertheless, they are clobbered, slapped and kicked by Kaelo and his men.  It is realized after interrogation that one of the offenders was related to Taiyo and Resian for he was son of Mama Milanoi’s sisters.A cleansing ceremony is planned and Ole Kaelo is compensated for the trauma he underwent.  NtaraMuyo gives Taiyo and Resian each a heifer to remove the shame he caused them.  Lante pays two heifers.

Ole Kaelo continue to have mixed feelings about Oloisudori’s plan to marry his daughter.  He consoles himself that Oloisudori is not an ordinary man. And that his business success depended on him.  Thus reasoning, he decides to go along with Oloisudori’s plan.  He also dismisses negative rumours about Oloisudori assuring himself that his daughter was lucky to get such a man. Meanwhile, the girls’ visit to the uncle’s home has greatly changed their outlook on life.  It reduces their overreliance on their parents.  They are finally happy that they are getting acceptance in the highly traditional community.

CHAPTER 13: OLOISUDORI’S GRAND VISIT

Oloisudori changes his plans of coming for Resian in two weeks’ time and declares he would do so the following day.  He would be accompanied by his three friends and wants Resian to cook for them. Ole Kaelo asks Resian to remain at home and cook for them instead of going to help plaster the kitchen of Teiyo Kiti with Taiyo as they had planned. She is not comfortable with the idea saying she fears Oloisudori and that he is like a monster.  Her father hears none of her protestation. Resian seeks refuge in the garden.  She wonders why she has been chosen and not Taiyo.  She finds injustice in the way her father treated her unlike her sister Taiyo.Taiyo sympathizes with her situation.  She knows her father biasness in treating his daughters.  She thinks that the current demand from his father would make him hate her more.  She blames the new culture that her father has immersed himself into as the cause of all her problems. Traditionally, a girl was shielded from men and it was rare for a girl to interact with men.  Finally, Resian agrees to cook for the visitors after Taiyo is allowed to do it with her.

Oloisudori arrives in a procession of four wheel drive vehicles. He is immaculately dressed and so is his three friends.  Taiyo starts sensing that he could be targeting her sister Resian.  He gives each of the family membersgenerous gifts including a briefcase to their father.Later after leaving, Taiyo talks to her father to get more information about Oloisudori and his mission in their home but he reveals little.  After failing, she plans to ask him to enroll them at Egerton but she does not succeed.Ole Kaelo calls for his daughter Resian.  He talks to her pleasantly and tells her he has good news for her.  Resian misinterprets this thinking it’s about being enrolled at the university. Finding that they are on different pages, he dismisses her and calls for her mother.

CHAPTER 14: THE WEALTHY OLOISUDORI

Ole Kaelo and his wife visit one of Oloisudori’shomes in Naivasha. He wanted them to seethe home he is building for their daughter so that they can easily convince her to marry him.  Oloisudori compares Resian with one of the legendary beauty in the land and this greatly flatters Ole Kaelo.  He also compares her with lord Ngata an English lady who drove a legendary gentleman crazy but the lady finally refused to marry him hence making the gentleman hate women forever.  He intends to rectify that by building a palatial home that she would not turn down. Oloisudori is even ready to enroll her as a parallel student at Egerton if she marries him. However, she must undergo circumcision before he can marry her. Ole Kaelo regards Resian lucky and hopes his other daughter would find such a rich man who could give him generousdowry.

Ole Kaelo reminisces his journey with his wife to Oloisudori’s palatial home in Naivasha with pleasure. He still remembers with awe the grandeur and magnificence of the house Oloisudori was building for Resian in Milimani area of Nakuru which made him decide that Resian had to be married by Oloisudori come what may. Before parting, they hatch a plan of abductingResian if she offers resistance and are very happy about it. His wife is not very happy about the idea but has no option. She is unhappy that her daughter would miss a chance of going to Egerton University. Ole Kaelo also seems at conflict but keeps assuring himself that Oloisudori is a genuine man enjoying his own fruits of labour. Later, after a disturbed night, he has a dream in which Resian accepts to marry Oloisudori without any resistance and that raises husband and wife’s spirits.

Resian and Taiyo hatch a plan of returning all gifts Oloisudori had given them in his next visit to show him they were not on sale.  Resian receives Oloisudori warmly into their home and hands over the carton she and Taiyo had packed all his gifts. This catches Oloisudori by surprise and he is made to believe that the battle has been won.  He reveals his plans to marry her and she is shocked by the revelation. They have a nasty exchange of words with Resian telling him that she can only be his wife over her dead body.Resian storms out of the house and confronts her father in his shop at Nasila. Ole Kaelo confirms his intention to marry her off to his friend and says he has no intention of enrolling her to university. She has a nasty verbal exchange after which he slaps her twice. She tells him he better kill her than hand her over to his friend, the monster.

Their bitter exchange attracts a crowd outside the shop. Resian leaves in hurry and heads to the river where she contemplates committing suicide. Just then, Olarinkoi comes to what seems to be her rescue.  She tells her that Oloisudori men are looking for her all over and that he can help her reach Minik’s ranch.  Resian agrees to the idea and they plan to start off very early the following day.

CHAPTER 15: THE REAL OLARINKOI

After a sugarless breakfast served by a kind-hearted old woman, Resian and Olarinkoi gets into a pick up to start their journey to Minik’s ranch.  The old woman gives Resian a leso and a blanket to cover herself with.At the beginning, she is very optimistic and happy that finally her salvation has come.  Later the hot weather and the bumpy ride makes the journey very uncomfortable while dust, flies, mosquitoes and the fear of wild animals haunt along the way.  On the way, Olarinkoi is aloof, he does not communicate with Resian, but this does not bother her for her focus is to reach the ranch and meet Minik her mentor.

The pick- up stops outside a mud plastered house with a rusty tin roof and Olarinkoi orders her to alight.  He orders her to follow her into the desolate house which has two rooms Olarinkoi brings several foodstuffs he had brought with him in the pick-up, rudely gives Resian several instructions on how to cook a meal and leaves in a huff.Soon, she falls asleep and dreams where she meets Minik who promises to enroll her as a student at Egerton University and protect her from F.G.M. Her dream is interrupted by a loud bang on the door by Olarinkoi.  He reprimands her for not cooking food and tells her she is his wife.  He proceeds to take her by force and a struggle ensues. Resian bites his thumb and in defense, he hits her on the ribcage making her pass out before proceeding to rape her.

When consciousness returns, Resian realizes she was in a bed covered with bloody rags and naked. She begins to have recollection of what happened but cannot go beyond bitingOlarinkoi’s thumb.  She faints again and sees alternating images of both Olarinkoi and Oloisudori.When she regains consciousness, she notices another woman who she had been seeing in her hallucinations in the room.  The woman is called Nabaruand is the nurse that has been treating her. One evening after she is able to walk on her feet, Olarinkoi’s mother comes and admonishes her for biting her son’s thumb and abuses her for being uncircumcised.  She reveals that she intends to have her circumcised after recovering and thatshe and Olarinkoi would go to Tanzania to start their marriage.  The nurse comes when she is deep in thoughts and tells her that Olarinkoi’s mother is an enkoiboni, a prophet and had prophesied that her son would bring one of Ole Kaelo’s daughter home, circumcise her and make her his wife.The nurse tells her she has admired her courage and is ready to help her out in whatever plans she has.  The news gives Resian a new surge of hope.

CHAPTER 16: HELP

Resian has a life full of torment at Olarinkoi’s home from insects, reptiles as well as from the old enkoiboni. The Enkoiboni has a lot of bitterness directed to the well – to – do in the society such as Oloisudori.Nabaru informs Resian she is under a lot of pressure from Enkoiboni to have her recover so that she can undergo the initiation ritual. Resian pleads with her to take her to Emakererei’s ranch which Nabaru agrees to.

When her health improves a little bit, Resian starts venturing out of the homestead.  She keeps the company of some two young women who were married early.  Olarinkoi re-appears after disappearing for several days and tries to ask for forgiveness from Resian and even assures her that he would never molest her sexually again. He discloses that they plan to have her circumcised in two days’ time so that he can marry her. After the revelation, Resian realizes that her only hope is in Nabaru.  She waits for her eagerly but does not come that evening.She has a dream in which she fights the enkamuratani who wants to circumcise her, enkoiboni and when she is about to attack Nabaru, her dream is cut short by somebody calling out her name.Resian at first is unable to stand to open the door for Nabaru but after great effort, she reaches the door and opens it before collapsing. Nabaru administers some medicine through her mouth and she regains consciousness.The two women escape from the advancing enkoiboni, Olarinkoi and the enkamuratani. As they walk to the main road to board a lorry, they experience a big challenge, the heavy rain. Olarinkoi catches up with them as the lorry is about to leave, exchanges assaulting words with the two women before leaving him standing in the rain.

Finally, they reach the sheep ranch were Minik ene Nkoitoi is the manager, and the place where she so longed to go. Resian is very grateful for Nabaru’s sacrifices to save her from Olarinkoi saying that only God could repay her for her love and kindness. Three motorbikes catch up with them as they wait for their lorry to cool down.  One of the riders is Minik who also recognizes Resian having seen her picture in the papers which advertised her disappearance and promised a big reward to whoever would find her.Minik orders the driver to take her to the farm so that they can talk more.  Resian is now towards the end of a torturous journey; homestretch as the lorry heads to the station.

CHAPTER 17: THE PROMISE

Resian finds Minik sitting on the veranda of her spacious house. She is awed by her presence for she reminds her of her highschool Principal. She welcomes Nabaru and Resian into her glamorous and elegant house. After bathing, she tells Minik the events leading to her present state.She discloses she has always admired Minik, wanted to meet her and wanted to study veterinary medicine which Minik herself did at MakerereUniversity. She also tells her that she would like to join her in the fight against FGM.

Minik observes that some cultural practices like F.G.M and emuata had outlived their usefulness and should cease being part of Maa’s culture.  Nabaru promises to join Minik in fighting the practice Minik also promises to have Taiyo and Resian enrolled at Egerton University, their lifelong dream.  She also promises Resian a scholarship and gives her a fully furnished house and a job in the ranch for the duration she would be studying at the university

CHAPTER 18: SISTERS’ REUNION

On her fifth day in the ranch one mid-morning, a vehicle that Minik had sent on a rescue mission comes in the ranch.  Minik goes to see the girl’s condition and later sends for Resian. Resian is gripped by anxiety and apprehension on finding Minik angry.  Minik is angry at the new culture brought by wealth where men would like young girls and forcefully circumcise them hence lowering their esteem.  She narrates the case about the girl.She tells Resian the girl’s rescue was not easy for the home where she was circumcised was heavily guarded and after luring the guards, they were able to rescue her but unfortunately, the man who assisted in rescuing the girl was speared to death by the thugs.  She tells Resian that the rescued girl was her sister and the killed man was Joseph Parmuat a teacher.

Through recollections, Taiyo remembers how her mother lured her to accompany three women promising they would take her to Resian.  When they got to Esoit village she was abandoned in a smoky hut and in the morning was forcefully circumcised. After that she went through several hallucinations. Resian goes to her room and the sisters hug and kiss passionately. The reunion of the two girls is very emotional. Taiyo slowly recovers with the help of Minik, nursing care of Nabaru and counseling by a teacher.

Taiyo fully recovers, she and her sister discuss their dark past events.  They blame their mother for accepting to agree to everything their father said.  They vow not to be subservient to their male counterparts. They also blame women for the perpetuation of F.G.M arguing that if all women said no to the practice, men would do nothing about it. As the chapter comes to a close, Taiyo is advised to accept what has happened to her and move on. She is also advised to ensure in future her children do not go through a similar experience. The three ladies agree that if they stand by their position the primitive culture would end.

CHAPTER 19: DREAM FULFILLED

Minik calls for Taiyo and Resian later in August that year. She discloses that the contents of the two envelopes she has are about their admission in Egerton University.  The girls are elated by the news. Minikorganizes a farewell party for the girls. She invites many workers and girls to come and celebrate with the girls. The girls from Intapuka-e-Maa sing a song that seeks to empower and energize them in their resistance of outdated cultural practices. In the song, they condemn F.G.M and envision themselves as great professionals just like men in the nation.As they sing, Oloisudori comes in a convoy of vehicles to demand to be given either Resian or Taiyo arguing that he has already paid enough to have them both.  Minik tells him to leave the place for he would have none of the girls.

Oloisudori starts insulting Minik calling her a spinster who lost a chance to get married and now masqueradesas an FGM crusader.  Oloisudori orders his men to take Resian by force and a vicious fight ensues between the ranch’s workers and Oloisudori’s men.  Oloisudori’s convoy is burnt to the ground and he and his men ran for their lives after a thorough clobbering.

On 5 th September the following day, Resian and Taiyo are full of happy sensation as they climb the four wheel drive vehicle belonging to Minik to go to Egerton University, their Nirvana.Theythink of ways to repay Minik for her kindness but all in all agree that it is well that ends well.

CHAPTER TWO

Characters and characterisation.

A character is a fictitious personage created by a novelist in order to convey an idea. Characterization is the process of selecting suitable characters that suit specific roles by the novelist. Characters are of many types: main, minor, shadow, protagonist, antagonist depending on their role and significance. With themes and style, they form the basic triangle in literary work. The three questions answered by the three basic aspects are what, how and who. The question answered by character and characterization is “who”. In this novel, the protagonist, the character every reader would wish to be like, is Resian. The family of Kaelo is a key family; Kaelo, Mama Milanoi and Taiyo. Close people to this family like Oloisudori, Olarinkoi, and Joseph Parmuat are equally key characters in this novel. There are still other characters that help in anchoring thematic concerns, the plot and style and they include:Simiren, his wives especially Yeiyoo Botorr and yeiyoo-kiti, Ole Supeyo, Nabaru, Minik, the enkamuratani and enkoiboni.

Parsimei Ole Kaelo

He is the husband to Mama Milanoi and father to Taiyo and Resian.  He is a retrenched commercial manager of Agribix Limited Company situated in Nakuru.

As the bread winner of the family and a senior officer at the work place Kaelo develops a strict character. As the novel begins, he is reprimanding the loaders of a lorry (p.1). He denies Taiyo permission to travel to Mombasa with other young men and women to attend an extravaganza.  He thinks Taiyo’s exposure to music extravaganza would make her a harlot (p.45). Taiyo tells Resian they hurry to the lorry before father spoils their day with his sharp tongue (p. 5).He also denies Resian a chance to go to the university saying her education is enough yet his aim is to enjoy the money (p.207). He terms Resian as stupid and myopic for insisting on going to school. (p.207). His daughters fear to report the heinous incident when they are accosted by a callous young man (p.20). When he is away, the house is joyous and comfortable. (p.35). The moment Resian sees him, she becomes clumsy and breaks a glass (p.40). During the homecoming ceremony, he sends a corrosive glance at Taiyo when Joseph approaches her. (p.48). When their father comes at the sitting room, Taiyo and Resian disappear to the kitchen (p.69)

Commanding/short tempered

He commands the loaders violently (p.1).Taiyo knew the sting of her father’s tongue.(p.1)When a lorry breaks down during relocation, he fuses, curses and mutters  expletives (p.10).When Resian becomes clumsy and almost breaks the glass he winces, grimaces and struggles to control himself (p 40).When mama Milanoi shows her dilemma about whether the girls should be circumcised or not, Kaelo commands, “You must immediately start counseling the girls”(p.61). After Supeyo fails to take him to Oloisudori, he gets very annoyed. He shouted in a thunderous booming voice (p.46). On learning that her girls were accosted he takes a sword and froths trembling (p.147).He furiously pursues the men who had accosted his daughters (p.159).

He detests Resian from the moment she is born.  When she shows early signs of maturity he declares to himself “the earlier we disposed of her, the better” (p.10). This clearly shows his disregard to his own blood. Mama Milanoi attests that Kaelo had scolded and bullied her like half-witted child (p.29).  He wonders where in the world they fetched that awkward, overblown, stupid Resian. (p.40). When they make an accident with Resian at the door he curses, “Have you run amok?”(P.96). This is a disregard of the delicate emotional little girl. He brutally slaps Resian for not co-operating with Oloisudori (p.209) He gets dowry from Oloisudori without even informing his daughters (p.209).This is great disregard to Resian for she is the one expected to be in the marriage yet he does not inform her that he has picked dowry.

Hardworking

Kaelo remembers how while young he worked himself to the bone preparing for his future (p.8). He believes the way to the stars is hard work (p.8).  Hard work had seen him through the ranks from a clerk to the coveted position of a manager (p.9). He succeeds in whatever he puts his hands in (p.29). He goes to Nakuru to work and returns to Nasila with wealth (p.38). While organizing for the homecoming event, he wakes up at cock crow.  Mama Milanoi informs Yeiyo-Botorr that Kaelo is hard-working and that Taiyo resembles him (p.76).

A sexist person is that who discriminates on grounds of sex. Right from the time Resian is born, he detests her for she is not male. It is unfair for a child is always innocent. In this case she did not participate in her birth. He uses abusive language on Resian most of the time. He instructs Joseph to coach her girls on traditional dances. Resian argues that if they were males their father would not have got them a trainer.It had been his prayer to get at least three boys (p.9).

Chauvinistic/egocentric

Taiyo is his pride.  When she is born, Kaelo proofs his fatherhood (p.10).  But when he gets the second girl, he is disappointed.  He detests Resian since then (p.10). When he sees Joseph talking to her daughter, he refers her to Mama Milanoi’s daughter (p .48) yet we know she belongs to both her father and mother but since he considers the gesture embarrassing he does not wish to be associated with her. He talks to her daughter through their mother (p.69).this is because his gloated manly feeling cannot allow him to address a young girl. He stays for long time without relaying critical information like the intention by Oloisudori to marry one of his daughters (p.114). Since she is a woman and her decisions are not necessary, he first weighs the issue independently.

Enterprising

His mentor is Ole Supeyo (p.20) who is a serious businessman in cattle trading. He owns a pick up for business (p.22). Plans to open the shop at the onset of rains (p.24).  He is about to sign a four-year’s contractwith the government through Oloisudori. (p.24). His mother-in-law is happy to get a son in law who is a businessman (p.28).

Even after being warned by Supeyo against the corrupt Oloisudori, Kaelo insists on dealing with him due to financial gains.  He views the warning as envy on the part of Supeyo (p.26).  Because of greed, he becomes a sycophantic follower of Oloisudori.  This makes him mention reckless statements like “There is nothing that he ought to be denied in this home” (p.98).  He chooses to deal with Oloisudori the criminal due to greed (p.109).  He wishes to deal with the wealthy. (p.109). He does not care the means of getting wealthy (p.111).  He takes dowry for his two daughters even when they want to join university (p.111).

He tells off his brother when elders send him to tell him to marry other wives and get more children and sons.  He says polygamy is archaic.  He has only one wife and two daughters even when men have many wives and many children.  He builds a modern stone house for his family with red tiles (p.27). His shop in Nasila is also furnished tastefully to attract high-class customers.

Though a parent to Resian and Taiyo he betrays them. He does not provide parental love as he ought to. He does not support university education for his daughters and he supports their early marriage. He also supports their FGM so that he can receive dowry and safeguard his businesses.

During the homecoming ceremony, he swears never again will he Live away from Nasila nor abandon its culture (p.40). The twin sub clans of Ilmolelian Itoorasha Kiheji and Lelema will always be like two chambers of his heart. (p.40). He calls Joseph to train Taiyo and Resian Maa dance and culture (p.121).

He had got detached from Nasila life for many years.  He has to hold a homecoming ceremony. (p.37). It is now thirty years since he left Nasila for Nakuru. He seems to embrace more of the modern culture than the traditional one. This makes him embrace the likes of Oloisudori

Perfectionist/Meticulous

He made sure that their furniture was loaded as fittingly as possible so that it does not break on the way (p.14).He organizes a homecoming party without fault (p. 37). He includes guests from all the five clans (p 37).

When elders send Simiren to tell him to be polygamous, he dismisses polygamy as archaic yet later he encourages FGM on her daughters (p.13), which is equally a negative traditional cultural practice.

Even when he is retrenched, he goes about the sudden news without physically showing he is beaten. He views the new change as an inevitability (p.7). When Resian runs and leaves Oloisudori at home on reaching the shop, Kaelo attempts not to show his great fury to the girl.  When asked about university studies he answers stoically, “I decided I am not sending you there” (p.207).

He stubbornly denies his daughters a chance to study at the university. Taiyo comments ‘You know the stubbornness of father’ (p. 4).

Sycophantic

When Oloisudori visits, Kaelo stands in order to please him. (p.177). He seems to be worshipping riches and wealth.

He is hurt because Simiren is more appreciated and considered as the cultural leader of the Kaelo’s (p.9).

Dependable/Trustworthy

Ole Supeyo trusts him.  He would entrust him to count his money (p.4). Milanoi’s parents find him a dependable protector (p.29).

He is well versed with the murky business of the underworld. (p.23). He is about to sign a four-year’s contract with the government through the help of the corrupt Oloisudori (p.25).

Foresighted planner

Mama Milanoi expresses this fact on (p.29) in a flashback.  He planned homecoming ceremony meticulously (p.37). He tells Joseph that he had planned his future life when he was young (p.70).

Responsible

Mama Milanoi attests to the fact that Kaelo is responsible (p.28). She says since he married her he has always provided for the family.

Mama Milanoi confirms this trait (p.29). He calls her ‘ Lanoo-ai-nayorr ” an intimate expression (p.30).  Taiyo is his favorite daughter (p.111).

The role of Kaelo is to anchor the themes of patriarchy, culture, FGM, greed among others. He is useful in development of other characters especially Taiyo, Resian, Mama Milanoi and Oloisudori. The writer uses him to create flashbacks and his retrenchment helps in developing the novel’s plot.

She is sister to Resian and daughter to Kaelo and Mama Milanoi.

Intelligent

She understands her father well (p.1). For example she knows when he is not in the right mood to be spoken to.  She knows he does not like having his plans delayed.  She observes intelligently that “culture and traditions are never static but by being dynamic, culture sheds off aspects that are irrelevant” (p.127).

Sympathetic

She sympathizes with the loaders who are receiving stern instructions from Kaelo her father. (p.1) She had made it her duty to mop her young sister’s tears, sooth her anger and gently reassure her when shaken (p.34).  At the homecoming ceremony she sympathizes with the old man who struggles with meat with little success (p.50). She later comes to know he is Ole Musanka, a religious leader. She brings alternative soft food to him.

Bold/Daring

To the knobkerrie carrying young man she demands. “Let go of my hand.” She vows to fight F.G.M even when Nasila culture and her father promote it (p.88). She declares openly to Joseph that she has fallen in love with him.  “She does not give a hoot about it.” (p.129). She boldly visits Joseph’s house even when it is a risky affair (p.130). She thinks boldly that their relationship with Joseph must remain even if it means relocating to Tanzania and becoming people of undefined culture (p.136). The attack by callous young men strengthens her resolve (p.143).

She loves Joseph.  This is even after being warned against having a relationship with him by the father (p.71). She is infatuated and makes him a confidante.  She says “If by loving you I offend the sensibilities of Nasila then let me offend them and face the consequences of doing so.” (p.133). She sacrifices to go and see Resian so that Resian may eat when her mother lies to her that Resian has gone on a hunger strike (p.272).

At the time they are leaving Nakuru for Nasila, Taiyo sheds tears (p.6, p.2). This shows the intimate relationship she has had with this town.  She is not ready to let go of the town.  She could also be afraid of relocating to a rural town.  She is not willing to part with her boyfriend from Nakuru, Lenjir (p.3). When she realizes her relationship with Joseph Parmuat is highly hindered by traditions, she weeps herself dry (p.56).

She holds Resian’s cheek and registers that she has been devoted to her sister since they were in nursery school (p.34). She takes a lot of time before broaching the issue of going to university for she seeks an apt opportunity (p.54). Kaelo tells Joseph that the girls are intelligent but require cultural studies (p.70).  She responsibly and carefully prepares delicious meals (p.75). She advises Joseph that they keep a clandestine relationship and then reveal it later so as not to hurt Papaai (p.134). She advises Resian not to be left alone in the house with Oloisudori (p.197).

She feels estranged for she has never visited Nasila before in herlifetime therefore shelacks basics of Nasila culture (p.70). She chooses to fall in love with Joseph even when the culture does not allow. This is because she is ignorant and alienated of the culture. She finds it hard to cope with Nasila culture at first. During the dance she takes a lot of time watching for she has no dancing skills of Nasila dances. She has to be trained traditional dances and culture by Joseph.

She stubbornly puts up a spirited struggle but later the battleis lost.  This is when she insists on attending an extravaganza at Mombasa but her father denies her permission (p.2). She stubbornly falls in love with Joseph (p.133).

While in Nakuru, with Resian they always stand at the window every Sunday before they go to church (p.2). With Resian, they discuss petty issues like they observe that two out of four aunts are pregnant (p.18).Together with Resian they mingle with women folk and girls of Nasila and learn a lot (p.36).

She hopes that the new shop will succeed.  She says Nasila is an Agricultural area and fertilizer and other inputs will be in high demand (p.4). She hopes one day they will go to Egerton University (p.4).

She tells the young man who accosts them “We are not the kind of women you have in mind.” (p.19). With Resian, while in the ranch they declare never to be subservient to their male counterparts (P.277).

On arriving in their new house at Nasila, Taiyo works to exhaustion even when Resian is just reading books (p.32).

With Resian, they adapt to Nasila’s lifestyle and easily get used to welcoming impromptu visitors like Olarinkoi (p.35).

Her role in the novel in the novel is essential in developing the character of Resian. It is through her that we understand the character of Resian as assertive and committed to female empowerment.

She is sister to Taiyo and daughter to Kaelo and Mama Milanoi.

Inquisitive/Keen

She inquisitively questions the chances of her father’s new shop picking up (p.3).She questions on the rivalry and apprehension between the four houses of her uncle. (p.16). She interrogates and observes that Kaelo’s cheerfulness has decreased after meeting Oloisudori (p.120). She questions Olarinkoi’s sincerity about taking her to the ranch (p.217).

She questions why her father sought Joseph to be their teacher of culture “Why not a girl” (p.73). She observes that the arrangement is favoring men.  That Joseph is to prepare them to be suitable wives to their husbands (p.73). When mother tries to explain FGM to her, she dismisses it as a myth created by men to oppress women (p.90). She critically observes FGM to be useless in the current times (p.91). She fails to see any difference between the ancient Ilarinkon from the current Ilarinkon (p.91). She questions the intruding tendency by Nasilan’s into their house (p.91). She initially questions the significance of Kaelo – Oloisudori relationship (p.98).

Firm/ Determined/ Resolute

Even when told of their new shop she clearly says she does not want to work in the shop but to go to Egerton University. She does not just want to go to a university but Egerton University where she will take veterinary science and become a veterinary doctor (p.4).  When she is told by Taiyo that she will have a right to have as many children as she wishes she answers immediately saying, “I don’t want to be a parent.  At least not in the foreseeable future (p.18). She adds, “I want to study.” She resolves to face the callous Oloisudori firmly (p.200).  Even when she is beaten and denied a chance to join University by her father, she does not lose hope but still focuses on going to the university (p.211).She reminds herself when the lorry breaks down before reaching the ranch that she will not allow other people to sway her from her charted course (p.256). It should be noted that Resian’s decision to go to Egerton University began when with Taiyo and her father visited agricultural show. From that time she stuck to the goal till came to fruition.

On reaching Nasila, with Taiyo they manage to walk around even when they are not familiar with the environment (p.17). She asks her mother directly into her eyes, ‘what is the purpose of FGM today?” (p.90). She openly and boldly says she will not allow early marriage to occur in her life (p.129). She does not easily agree when told by her father that she is to wait for Oloisudori and three guests to cook for them (p.171). She comes up with a risky plan of humiliating Oloisudori (p.195). She is most attracted to bold personalities like Minik and Prof. Wangari Maathai (p.250). Nabaru confirms to us that Resian is a brave girl (p.253). Resian inspires the old lady Nabaru with her boldness so that she walks a long distance to organize for a lorry to take them to the ranch. Dr. Minik congratulates Resian for being firm and boldly resisting FGM (p.264).

When they are accosted with Taiyo by knobkerrie welding young man she hisses, “Leave my sister alone.” (p.19). She strongly declares that she would rather live in the noisiest place than near a vagabond with intention of mutilating her (p.33). She feels Joseph’s lessons are taking her to the Stone Age era (p.72). She detests Joseph’s teachings on culture and insists she will be taught universal content at the university (p.73). Mama Milanoi thinks of her as a hard nut to crack for she knew her rights (p.118). She knows Oloisudori will not have a walkover on the issue of marriage (p.118). She observes that Nasila culture must soon shed off F.G.M and assertively notes that there are no two ways about it” (p.128).

She bites the thumb of Olarinkoi when he attempts to rape her (p.22).  In a dream, she tells the old enkamuratani that she will never circumcise again.  She twists her hand that is holding the Olmurunya mercilessly (p.245). She descends on the mono eyed witch like a ferocious leopard and disfigures her face. She batters her mono eye (p.245). Resian hits the witch on the head like a snake.  The witch sprawls flat on the ground (p.245). All these happen in a dream.

She instinctively detects the absence of love from her father.  She grows sullen, bewildered and resentful (p.10). She resents Oloisudori’s ill-motive and therefore tells him off when he visits and insists that she should serve him (p.205). She resentfully asks what is wrong with being born a woman. (p.205). She contemplates suicide after her plan to go to the university is cancelled by her father (p.210).

When she becomes clumsy and almost breaks the glass she apologizes to her father (p.40).  When chided by her mother against using rude words towards Oloisudori and yeiyo-botorr , she apologizes (p.94). When she learns Oloisudori is heart she says sorry (P.95).

Visionary/Ambitious

She has a dream of being called Dr. Resian Kaelo (P.94). She is always reading books so as to keep her ambition alive (p.135). When Kaelo tells her with finality that she is not joining university, she screams like one possessed with demented spirits (p.209).

She observes that her uncle’s four houses have rivalry and apprehension amongst themselves.  She observes that two of the four aunts are pregnant (p.18). Sheinterestingly observes that there is always a scramble for girls to marry in Nasila (p.128). She observes that the doors are well locked (p.138). Lastly, she observes that the term children always referred to girls in the Maa culture (p.175).

Pessimistic

At time she lacks hope. This is partly contributed by her father who disliked her right from her birth. Mama Milanoi observes that Resian is in a pessimistic mood most of the times (p.29). She hopes for the worst in their new house and requests Taiyo to plead with father so that they can go to university for studies and security (p.33).

Persuasive/ Persistent

She persuades Taiyo to plead with Kaelo her father to take them for university studies (p.5).

She does not change her stand. She always asks Taiyo whether she has talked to father about their university education (p.89).She persuades the young man accosting them not to harm them, (Taiyo & Resian) (p.18).

“Wiser indeed!” jeered Resian. (P.72).She mocks her father’s words that Joseph will teach them. When asked by her father why she has left her guest (Oloisudori) alone in the house, she sarcastically answers, “I left him at home enjoying his tea and pancakes” (p.206).

She fears Taiyo’s attraction to Joseph may lower her attention to her (Resian) (p.49). She declares to hate anyone who comes in between her and her sister (p.49). She is not ready to be abandoned by Taiyo as she falls in love with Joseph (p.72).

In their new house, even when there are many duties to be done, she chooses to read a book (p.32). She tosses into the bed and declares that, “my body belongs to me.’ (p.33). Kaelo comments that she is lazy like an overfed lizard after comparing her with the industrious Taiyo (p.64).

She said in a defiant voice that she has no problem with adding knowledge but not traditional knowledge (p.76).  Resian does not wish to please male counterparts (p.77). She is mad at Olarinkoi who is always doing nothing in the house (p.77).

Optimistic                      

She constantly hopes that one day she will join university (p.89). She imagines herself already admitted at the university and walking majestically (p.89).

She agrees that they should not inform the father about the incident when they are accosted by a callous young man (p.20).

Resian’s role in the novel as a protagonist is critical. The author uses her to drive central themes like FGM, female assertiveness and determination. She compliments Taiyo her elder sister and a confidante. She also immensely develops dialogue as a style as well as the plot of the novel.

Mama JaneMilanoi

She is the wife to Kaelo and mother to Taiyo and Resian.

Meek/Submissive

She says she did not resist Kaelo’s marriage for traditions did not allow any resistance (p.2).  She prays God to open her womb so that she can bear a son for Kaelo (p.29). When she is taken to her new house she exclaims, “Father of all creation!” (p.30). When Taiyo requests her to allow Joseph Parmuat to come and coach her on traditional dances, she fears saying “that’s your father’s territory.” (p.56). She fears to broach the subject of circumcision of her daughters. (p.61). She is disturbed by Resian when she (Resian) uses harsh words on Oloisudori (p.94).She knows very little about her husband for he is a man (p.95). She honors her husband’s visitor and his friends (p.179). She burns rice as she is afraid of Kaelo after Oloisudori has just left (p.104).

Before embarking on their journey to Nasila, she leads in prayers.  Kaelo first spotted her at a church service at Nasila (p.9). She is to join women in ancestral prayers and songs of praise, a prayer for exhorting God to open women’s wombs so that she can bear a son for Kaelo (p.29).

She cautions Taiyo and Resian against strangers who might take advantage of their unfamiliarity with Nasila. (p.17). She wishes to care for her children although she fears Nasila people for their intolerance (p.30).  She is torn between her love for Nasila culture and that for her daughters as well as her dutiful role of a faithful and obedient wife. (p.61). That iswhy she takes the subject of FGM cautiously.

She loves and cares for her daughters. She is worried by the FGM that is to be conducted on them (p.61). On learning that Oloisudori intends to marry one of her daughters she cries with pain. (p.113). Like a woman in labour, the story about selling Resian to Oloisudori highly hurts her (p.193).

Evasive/ Elusive

She avoids the girls’ demand to be taken to university (p.8). Even when the girls make this request she lingers.

Mama Milanoi as a character is important in addressing the issue of women subjugation by men in the patriarchal Maa community. The novelist uses her to demonstrate how women occupy a lowly position in the family. Dialogue and flashback as stylistic devices are used by the novelist through her. She is also used to address the issue of religion in the novel.

Her daughters expect her to voice their requests to their strict father but she disappoints them on the issue. The girls also expect the mother to side with them on the idea of FGM so that they do not undergo the cut but instead she supports their circumcision and keeps quiet about the arranged marriage of her daughters and Oloisudori even when she notes the gender disparity and the girls’ relentless desire to acquire university education.

Uncle Simiren Kaelo

He is the younger brother to Kaelo, uncle to Taiyo and Resian and brother in-law to Mama Milanoi.

For thirty years, Parsimei Ole Kaelo has been away and during this time Simiren has acted as the head of the Kaelo family(p.11). “He ran all kinds of errands for his brother” (p.12). He purchases livestock for him (p.12). He also sells cattle for him (p.12). He participates in the construction of Kaelo’s two buildings (p.12). He always passes any critical information to him and keeps him updated on what is happening in Nasila. An apt example is when elders show displeasure in his monogamous state (p.13).

Humble/peaceful

“There had never been any rivalry between him and his brother ever since they were young” (p.12). He has always accepted his position to be subordinate (p. 12). Even when he has four wives and sixteen children while his brother has only one wife and two children he remains humble (p.12). When Ole Kaelo returns to Nasila, he humbly expects that Kaelo will take up his role as the eldest brother (p.12) When Kaelo gets enraged after he(Simiren) relays elders’ concerns to him(Kaelo) on their stand on polygamy, he does not argue with his brother (p.13).

He jovially welcomes the Kaelo’s; his brother’s family, back home from Nakuru where they have stayed for around thirty years.

Traditional/Conservative

He represents his brother during ritual and practices such as girls’ initiation, boys’ circumcision etc. (p.11, 12).

The novelist uses Simiren to show the positive aspects of the Maa culture. Humility, generosity, responsibility and hospitality are emphasized. He makes it possible for Kaelo to have a smooth transition to Nasila before and during the migration.

Yeiyo-Botorr

She is the first wife of Simiren, and aunt to Taiyo and Resian. She is accorded more roles in the family and has an obligation of leading the co-wives. In Simiren’s house, she is the eldest wife of the four wives.

Conservative/Superstitious

She thinks of Resian as a mad girl when she speaks ill about the lazy Olarinkoi.  She cannot bear an argument about female freedom and assertiveness (P.77). She believes Resian has a bad spirit because she is not circumcised (p.78). Yeiyo-botorr is used by the novelist to lay ground for polygamy in a Maa family. She is used to show cohesion in a traditional polygamous family.

She introduces the other women to visitors (p.16).

When she finds Taiyo and Resian doing house chores she genuinely praises them (p.76).

Soin Ole Supeyo

He is a respected elder of Ilmolelian clan, a longtime friend to Ole Kaelo as well as his mentor.

He honestly tells Ole Kaelo how much corrupt Oloisudori is and warns him sarcastically against him (p.26). He advises Kaelo to be careful with Oloisudori (p.26). He also warns Kaelo against Oloisudori’s immoral behavior by telling him to ensure he keeps his daughters away from him (p.26).

He uses sarcastic remarks on Kaelo aiming at hurting him.  “Supeyo said, scornful smile twisting his lips.” (P.26)

Emakererei/ Minik ene Nkoitoi

She is a doctor of veterinary science, manager of a big ranch and a crusader against FGM. She is the mentor to Taiyo and Resian. She is the manager of a ranch and a veterinary expert.

Though she is hated very much in Nasila, she champions freedom of females and crusades against F.G.M and early marriages (p.62. She boldly tells Oloisudori that none of the girls would leave the ranch (p.283). She looks boldly into Oloisudori’s eyes (p.283).She visits Ole Supeyo’s homestead to persuade him not to circumcise his daughter (p.22).She orders Oloisudori to leave the ranch for his own safety and the safety of his expensive machines (p.283). She refuse to comply with his demand to be given either Resian or Taiyo.

Authoritative

She orders the driver to take delivery notes to the office (p.254). Resian observes that Dr. Minik Nkoitoi has an authoritative aura like of a principal in a high school (p.259). She authoritatively makes it clear that Oloisudori and his group did not have a right to receive any invitation letter to the party (p.282).  She advises Oloisudori to leave the ranch in an angry tone (p.283).

Generous/ Helpful

She helps Resian and Taiyo get admission letters to Egerton University. She gives Resian a house and a job in the Ranch and saves Taiyo from her circumcisers. She holds a party for the two girls before they go to the university (p.280).

Educated/liberated

Mama Milanoi says she had gone to Makerere University in Uganda (p.61). She manages a vast ranch which requires a lot of expertise.

Loving/ Warm

She holds Resian on her shoulder and speaks to her calmly (p.259). She chooses to address Nabaru instead of Resian directly. (p.262). She develops a warm relationship with Resian (p.267).

She convinces Nabaru that FGM is wasteful to females and Nabaru changes her position towards FGM (p.263).

She feels sad when she sees a traumatized girl; she feels bitter bile sizzle inside herself and burn in her heart (p.269).

The narrator comments about her courteous character when she calls the girls for the admission letters (p.279).

Minik is important to the novel for she is the agent of education, female empowerment as well as crusader of women freedom. Without her, the novelist cannot address the central issue of FGM in the novel. The last section of the novel takes place at the ranch and therefore she contributes significantly to plot development.

Edward Oloisudori Loonkiyaa

He is a close friend to Ole Kaelo and a jack of all trades.

Supeyo warns Kaelo to keep his daughters away from him terming him as a randy he goat.His initial plan was to extort Kaelo but on noticing the two girls he changes his mind. (p.112). Resian certainly felt the fingers of his lifted hand graze the fullness of her breast (p.93) . While in Kaelo’s house, Oloisudori’s eyes drop from face to Resian’s bosom (p.203). Kaelo is advised to keep off his daughters from him.

He brings gifts to the girls without telling them he is also payingtheir dowry (p.179). He entices Resian and Taiyo’s parents by taking them for a visit in his own homestead (p. 186).  Ole Kaelo had even earlier reported to Oloisudori that girls are reporting at the University but instead he plans to marry them (p.187).  He ensnares Taiyo and Resian like antelopes (p.192).  He schemes a plan of grabbing Resian to be his wife (p.200).

Supeyo states clearly that Oloisudori’s corrupt nature is known by everybody in Nasila. Joseph refers to him as a monster (p.100). He also describes him as a shadowy figure (p.100) andextortionist (p.101). He takes part in hunting elephants and rhinos (p.236).

He authoritatively asks where Kaelo is (p.92). He authoritatively states that Resian is his wife (p.204) and that only death can part them (p.204).

Cynical/ Sarcastic

He tells Kaelo, that he is interested in his girl, Resian and his friend is interested in Taiyo bluntly (p.110).  He instructs that only Resian should cook for him and three guests (p.69). He tells Kaelo, “I would like to relieve you of your two daughters (p.110).

When Resian tells him off he laughs sadistically. (P.205). Resian tells Oloisudori that he is stark mad for thinking she is her wife. In response to this, Oloisudori laughs softly. This shows he derives pleasure from her displeasure.

Oloisudori is essential in the novel for he helps in creation of the theme of materialism / greed. The author uses him to create irony as a stylistic device.

Joseph Parmuat

He is a teacher in primary school and trainer of Taiyo and Resian on traditional dances.He is in love with Taiyo but traditions restrain the relationship.

He openly tells Taiyo and Resian that he will join them to fight FGM even when the environment is not friendly (p.88). He describes himself as a fish that had jumped out of water… on verge of death” This is when his relationship with Taiyo inclines to intimacy (p.136).

Mama Milanoi corrects Kaelo’s thinking by informing him that Joseph is the finest and dependable young man of Nasila (p.48).  She does not disappoint Taiyo’s parents (p.132).

On meeting Taiyo, he falls in love with her.  He promises to visit her the following day and also coach her on traditional dance if allowed by Taiyo’s father.

In dealing with Kaelo’s two girls, he is cautious of Nasila culture and respects his parents. (p.122). Heis alert so that with Taiyo they do not begin a clandestine relationship (p.123). He fears the condition of Intoiyenemengalana in the girls.  He cautiously weighs whether to fall in love with Taiyo and break his cultural law (p.137). He fears that the uncircumcised Taiyo may be wild and untamable.

While dealing with Taiyo he always ensures that Resian is available (p.124). He follows Kaelo closely to ensure the old man was safe during the errands of pursuing his girls’ molesters (p.159). He helps in the rescue of Taiyo from her circumcisers although he dies by being speared to death in the process.

Intelligent/Informed

He observes that Maa culture has already shed off some traditional practices like throwing of the dead and the dying to hyenas, abandoning very old and terminally ill people to animals.”  (p.128). He observes how Nasila culture is violent once its sensibilities are violated (p.132).

Although there is a strong wave of marrying Taiyo who is uncircumcised, he sticks to his culture. He strongly feels that “Nasila culture was the father and mother that nurtured.” (p.137). in this case he views the culture as that which nourishes the members of the community. He resolves to decline her love (p.136).

In his house shelves are neatly packed with books. (P.131). He is a primary school teacher in Maasai land, an area with low education index.

Joseph Parmuat’s role is important in the novel.  The novelist uses him to anchor the theme of culture. He also helps in the emancipation of women through his sacrifice towards Taiyo’s education.

Old Ole Musanka

He is the old man who leads in blessing ceremony of Kaelo’s during the homecoming ceremony.

He leads in blessings of the religious section of the Kaelo’s homecoming function (p.51).  He blesses Taiyo and prophetically says she will be a mother of the next leader of Nasila (p.52).

He uses proverbs in his conversations.  He describes Kaelo as a tiny strand of hair that had been blown to show the insignificance of Kaelo compared to Maa culture (p.51).  He interprets Maa culture to the crowd (p.52). “Home is Maa, Home is Nasila, home is family and home is children” (p.52).

Conservative

He warns Taiyo and Resian not to follow the teachings of Emakererei.  He curses Emakererei the wasp, “may she go down with the setting sun!” (p.52).Ole Musanka is an important character in reinforcing the theme of religion as well as culture. His age and position as an elder as well as a prophet make him stand a better position in religion and culture. He also signals future and hope in Taiyo through his prophecy.

He advises Maa elders to cut loose the strings of alien culture from Ole Kaelo (p.52).

He is the young Maasai man who stays at Kaelo’s home. He is a suspicious character and through him the novelist employs suspense.

He intrudes into the affairs of the girls while in the house of Ole Kaelo (p.74). He is not known by the Kaelo’s yet he keeps coming to Kaelo’s house.

Indifferent

He directs his attention to the girl’s parents and not the girls (p.75). While escaping with Resian, they travel for a very long distance in silence (p.127).

He is always dozing off at the sitting room or idling somewhere else (p.77). He does not bathe and stinks terribly (p.240).

He occasionally brings bundles of food to Kaelo’s (P.79). He knows the prophesy which states that he should marry Resian and keeps quiet about it as he waits for the opportune time. Protective

He protects Resian from committing suicide after her father beats herand denies her a chance to go for University studies (p.210). He rescues the girls from molestation by two young men

Joseph says Olarinkoi is a mystery (p.80) and only four men know about him. But the four always contradict in their facts about him (p.81).For example one says that he comes from Polonga, 200 kilometers from Nasila (p.80).

He uses caustic language (p.211). He uses very abusive language on Resian even after she is emotionally unstable (p.217).  He calls Nabaru a filthy woman for escaping with Resian (p.249).

Rough/Violent

On the day he abducts Resian, he goes drinking and comes late in the night kicking the door roughly (p.221).

Beastly/bitter

He rapes Resian while drunk (p.221). He promises to do something nasty to Nabaru in case she returns after taking Resian to the ranch. (p.249). He strongly believes that Nabaru and Resian will be followed by a curse (p.249).

Olarinkoi is important as far as suspense is concerned. The author uses him to create suspense. He is used in the development of F.G.M as a theme as well as exploring the theme of violence.

She is the old woman who takes care of Resian after she regains her consciousness after the rape ordeal done by Olarinkoi.

Caring/Helpful

She encourages and cares for Resian until she regains her health (p.225). She promises to give Resian account of what transpired when she lost her memory (p.231). She is the enkabaani who informs Resian of great secrets and even the prophecy (p.232). She saves the life of Resian. (p.236). She also becomes her confidant (p.237) so that the two share a great deal.

She travels a long distance in a rough terrain at night to search for a lorry to ferry Resian to the ranch (p.253).

Independent minded

She thinks it is none of enkoiboni’s business to want to circumcise Resian while her parents were still alive (p.238).Her role is vital in showing the possibility of a female helping a fellow female in overcoming challenges of FGM. The author uses her to develop dialogue as a major stylistic device in the novel.

Olarinkoi’s Mother

She is the old woman prophetess/ enkoiboni

She looks like a witch and has ill motives (p.227).  She has a single, red rimmed eye that resembled a monster which is partly stone and partly human (p.227).

Cynica l /Wicked

She shows mockery and disregard to Resian. She abuses her for biting her son’s thumb. She calls her names for being uncircumcised. She says Resian is not yet a woman because she is not circumcised (p.228).She shamelessly uncovers Resian’s stomach to check whether she is pregnant(p.235).

She remarks sarcastically, “We have been trying to feed you from your bed with a silver spoon.” This is not true for Resian was always treated roughly by the witch. (p.228). She laughs sarcastically. She mocks her for her father has money (p.228).

Contemptuous

She has contempt for the rich corrupt people in the society (p.236). She feels political leaders and wealthy people in the country are responsible for the unequal distribution of resources.

In the novel, she represents women who are responsible for being stumbling blocks to their fellow women in the society. She is used by the writer to bring out the theme of women as enemies of themselves.

Lebutu/ Lorry Driver

He politely asks for more work from Dr. Minik (p.254). On their way to the ranch he uses polite language to address the two ladies. He is contrasted with the other driver who drives a pick up earlier in the novel carrying Olarinkoi.

CHAPTER THREE

Themes are issues that are consistent in a creative work. They are sub categories or sub topics of the subject matter or the main idea in a work of art. They constitute the entire message the writer wishes to put across to his or her readers. Therefore, themes are the messages put across by a writer in a work of art. There are major and minor themes. Major themes cut across the text and are the main ideas the writer intends to pass to the readers. Minor themes are minor ideas which are still important in the text.

POSITIVE NASILIAN CULTURE/TRADITIONS

Culture refers to the customs, habits and behaviors that characterize a society’s, community’s or nation’s way of life. On the other hand, traditions form part of the culture of a people and are handed down from one generation to the next.

Positive aspects of culture in Nasila are important in holding people together. There are many aspects of Nasilian culture which are positive.The songs the young people and children sing during Ole Kaelo’s homecoming ceremony attest to the rich Maa culture. The narrator says, “From the children’s performance, it was evident that the cherished Nasilian traditional dance would stand the test of time.” (p.44). The writer says that the party was full of pomp and gaiety. This is brought out by jewelry won by the guests such as ivory, beads, coloured lesos, kangas and shukas (p.47), all attesting to the rich cultural heritage of the Maa.Generosity as a virtue is seen in Simiren who invites all those present in the party to savor his brother’s lavish hospitality (p.46). Food and drinks are served in generous measures to all those present (p.47). Ole Musanka, an elder who blesses Ole Kaelo’s home, glorifies Maa’s culture saying that it was the blood and marrow that gave sustenance to the body” (p.51). According to him, home is Maa, Nasila, family and children (p.52). His only problem is that he supports FGM, a cultural practice that does not assist women in any way.

When Resian and Taiyo go to stay at their uncle’s place for some time, they witnesssome positiveaspects of communal life and unity at their uncle’s home. We are told that, “Life and work in that home was communal. Although each mother had her own house and cooked her own food, all grown up daughters helped each one of them” (p.148). There is well laid down chain of command with the first wife being the deputy to their uncle. There are hardly any disagreements and virtues of selflessness and sharing are emphasized (p.149). When Ole Kaelo’s daughters are assaulted by two men, the communal way of life comes in handy. All Ilmolelian men join him in pursuing the men and meting punishment on them. He is not left alone to deal with the matter. During Ole Kaelo’s homecoming ceremony, young men and women from the clan work together to make the day successful. Ole Kaelo is touched after discovering that brotherhood, honour and selflessness still existed in Nasila and this makes him swear that he would never abandon the culture of his people or live outside his clan (p.40).

Nasila culture clearly defined relationships. “The founder had intended that the culture would regulate the lives of the people…It charted out the way for everyone, from cradle to the grave. It defined relationships, it created laws that governed the ownership of property and settled disputes. It did not discriminate, it did not favour anyone over the other, it gave everyone a chance to live a full life; it protected everyone within its confines and provided cleansing procedures for those who defiled it. It was simply a cherished way of life for all the Maa people…” (p.118).

Mama Milanoi appreciates Nasila culture which spares her nephew from death. She “…began to see the wisdom of the Maa founder who ensured that justice was always tempered with mercy” (p.163). According to Nasila culture, if a man sought refuge between the legs of an old man, he was to be spared despite the crime committed (p.162). Anybody who violates cultural values of Nasila culture is faced with laid down punishment. Both NtaraMuyo and Lante who had attempted to rape Resian and Taiyo are forced to pay fines to the girls and their father and somehow, justice is done. “The two boys had been fined two heifers each” and NtaraMuyo “…an extra heifer to cover the shame that he had occasioned by accosting his own sister” (p.164). Mama Milanoialso reminisces the old aspect of her culture which gave room for mass action in case somebody misbehaved and went against the expected conduct.  A case in point is where an old man got infatuated by a girl of fourteen years. When women realized it, they attacked the man, stripped him naked and beat him up to death. That served as a detractor to any other man who would harbor such intentions. Mama Milanoi wonders where such good aspects of Nasila culture had gone for they would shield her daughter from being forced to marry an old man like Oloisudori (pp.115-117).

A girl was always protected from men with evil intentions. Girls were kept away from male visitors in their homes and there was hardly any interaction between fathers and daughters (p.175). The rich Maa culture has different types of love. There is elangatare where boys did anything possible to win girls’ admiration (p.124). The elangatare love included feats by boys such as killing lions and defending people and their cattle from their enemies. There is also patureishi type of love where a girl and a boy were allowed to have a love affair alongside the conventional love. Such boys were the darlings of the girls and a song of praise would be composed by the girlfriend in praise of the valorous deeds of her boyfriend (pp.124-125). This relationship ended in marriage after a marriage ceremony. On the other hand, the patureishi did not end in marriage. It was meant to check the conduct and behavior of young people and keep them disciplined (p.126).

NEGATIVE CULTURE/TRADITIONS

Negative aspects of culture in Nasila are strongly opposed by the young generation. To them, such practices should be shunned because they have outlived their usefulness in a society that is slowly but surely embracing modernity and civilization.

Female Genital Mutilation (F.G.M) is an outdated cultural practice that has no standing in the changing Nasila. To those that support it, it is meant to tame a wild gender just as cattle that require to be dehorned (p.22). When it was discovered several years back, it was to find a lasting solution to the exploitation of the Maa women by the Ilarinkon warriors.  “…that gave birth to enkamuratani (the female circumciser). And her Olmurunya was shaped, sharpened and handed to her” (p.87).  Mama Milanoi also affirms the origin of this cultural practice saying, “It was the shame and anger that was provoked by Ilarinkon taunts, lewd teasing and provocative posturing that made the women do what they did to curtail those desires the worthless predators exploited to prey upon them” (p.90).

Resian is very much opposed to this retrogressive practice. She says, “I would rather live in the noisiest place on earth, than live anywhere near a vagabond who would accost me…with the intention of mutilating my sexuality (p.33). At this early point, she makes her stand clear that she is opposed to the practice that disfigures and damages female sexuality. She is bitter and has pain in her heart due to threats of undergoing F.G.M. The olmurunya, the instrument used to conduct is scary. The writer reveals that it “…was a bladelike tool shaped like a smoothing plane blade” and the enkamuratani “showed the way she went about her profession of transforming young girls into young women through the cut of olmurunya ” (p.58). She wonders what the use of F.G.M in today’s woman is (p.90).  She observes that the practice is being fueled by men who use it to continue oppressing women. “…one of their ways of oppressing us is to demand that F.G.M be perpetuated against us forever” (p.91). The enkoiboni, mother to Olarinkoi tells Resian, “As soon as we clip that erogenous salacity from you that destroys homes, you will become a respected woman…” (p.229). This was not the original reason why F.G.M was invented but the practice has been maintained to purportedly keep women faithful.

F.G.M is so highly regarded that no girl would get married before getting circumcised. Such a girl was derogatorily referred to as entaapai and her family was not spared ridicule. To make matters worse, if she got pregnant, she would be circumcised at birth and married off to the oldest man in the village (p.63). According to enkoiboni, no mother would want an uncircumcised girl as a wife for her son (p.235).  This would prevent any other girl from doing such a thing. Circumcising the girl at birth is painful, dehumanizing and traumatizing. Joseph Parmuat opines that negative aspects of culture such as throwing the dead and the dying to hyenas or abandoning the old and very sick in deserted homesteads to be eaten by wild animals have already been expunged from Nasila culture (p.128). Resian is optimistic that soon, Nasila culture would do away with F.G.M as a cultural practice. Minik cites horrible and outdated cultural practice such as emuata that forced young brides to wear heavy copper around their limbs, legs, arms to make them beautiful and which had been discarded hence freeing women from pain. She opines that even girl child circumcision should be discarded for it has outlived its usefulness (p.263).

Sexism refers to preference given to either the male or the female gender child. It is an outdated tradition that is still embraced by individuals such as Ole Kaelo. We are told that he wanted at least three boys but instead gets two girls. This shows his preference for boys. When his wife gets pregnant again, he hopes for a boy who would carry his name to the next generation but instead, he gets a girl that he lives to loathe (p.10, 174).

The communal way of life in Nasila and clanship system also has negative effects. Its major negative effect is that it offered no privacy to those who needed it. Taiyo and Resian realize that in Nasila, home belonged to all members of the clan. We are told “It was not an unusual thing to get up in the morning to find the living room full of men and women who came that early…to share a sumptuous breakfast with their kith and kin” (p.35). Some intrude their homes even without being invited (65). Although they adjust to such a negative aspect of culture, it still remains a bad aspect of culture for it interferes with their privacy.

Taiyo is unhappy with the tradition that disallows marriage of young people from the same clan, however remotely related they are. According to Nasila culture, if such people married, there would be untold consequences (p.49). ) Taiyo finds this as a “gross unfairness of the outdated culture” and “a searing torment to her and to all others who were of progressive minds” (p.56). Joseph fears going against that tradition because he would be castigated and punished for doing such a thing. He would also be forced to pay cattle to Ole Kaelo as compensation and undergo a demeaning cleansing ceremony as well as a public rebuke (p.123). On the contrary, according to Taiyo, culture and traditions are never static but are dynamic in that culture “…shades off aspects that become irrelevant with time” (p.127). She cites F.G.M and the clan system that prevents people from the same clan from marrying (p.128). She observes that such practices should “…have disappeared at the turn of the last century” (p.128).

Another aspect of culture that Resian and Taiyo condemn is the practice of booking unborn baby girls (p.129). This denies women a chance to choose their marriage partners based on love but not what is dictated upon them by their parents. Apart from booking unborn baby girls, young women are also subjected to early marriages. Resian and Taiyo are the best cases in point. Ole Kaelo forces Resian to marry Oloisudori, his business friend against her expectations. She undergoes several challenges in order to overcome this plan. When she escapes from Oloisudori’s net, she is subjected to another forced marriage to Olarinkoi but she also escapes it. Taiyo is also not spared the practice. She is forcefully circumcised in order to be handed over to Oloisudori as a wife, although she is rescued by Minik.

Alienation is becoming a stranger to what one initially belonged to or being isolated from others. Alienation in the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah is as a result of embracing new culture.

Ole Kaelo and his family have lived for thirty years in Nakuru where he has brought up his daughters until his retrenchment. This has alienated him from many cultural practices which he comes across with once he returns to Nasila.During his absence from Nasila, it was his brother Simiren who represented him in the Ilmolelian clan in sacred rituals such as girls’ initiation (p.11). While his brother has married four wives for the culture permits polygamy, Ole Kaelo has one wife and is contemptuously likened to a mono-eyed giant who stood on legs of straw (p.13) showing that his position and stand in Nasila is precarious and unstable. He regards himself as civilized and calls the clan elders “megalomaniacs” who were still trapped in archaic traditions that were better buried and forgotten” (p.13). During Ole Kaelo’s homecoming party, his daughters jokingly observe that he does not know how to dance and that he should be coached (p.45).  His inability to dance, perhaps, is a result of being away from Nasila for many years. After settling in Nasila, the writer says that a new Ole Kaelo was emerging and he was becoming a Nasilian very fast (p.62). Mama Milanoireveals that her husband was not a strict follower of Nasila traditions only prescribing to those aspects that he considered decent (p.60). Perhaps, that is why he allows Oloisudori to marry his daughter Resian, a thing that goes against the cultural grain of Nasila. She asks, “How could a man who was the age of her husband be her son-in-law? Where was Nasila culture?” (p.114).

Resian blames the tension which continues to be witnessed at their home to their father. She blames these developments and changes in their home on “a newborn mongrel; a new culture that was partly Maa and partly a combination of a myriads of cultures found in Nakuru town.” (p.174). She argues that that was the animal her father introduced into his home in Nasila and which was “…threatening to devour her first and thereafter everyone else, one by one” (p.174). By embracing the two cultural divides,he sees no problem in planning to marry his daughters to an old man, a plan that costs his family a lot including losing the trust of his two daughters.

One of the cultural practiceshe embraces is Female Genital mutilation. It is a practice he didn’t think about in Nakuru but which confronts him after he returns with his two daughters as Intoiye Nemengalana or uncircumcised. This has made them alienated from the people of Nasila. They contemptuously refer to them as Intoiye Nemengalana and they cannot be easily married in the culturally rich Nasila community (p.8, 58). Being not circumcised earns the girls constant ridicule and contempt because they are unlike other girls. The enkoiboni asks Resian contemptuously, “Are you not ashamed to be among intoiye nemengalana at your age” (p.228). Their state, which physically alienates them from other girls, has been a constant cause of harassment from all sorts of people “…all trying to discredit them for not having undergone the cultural rite of circumcision” (p.261). As a result of not having circumcised his daughters, Ole Kaelo is derogatively called the father of Intoiye Nemengalana.

Ole Kaelo has also alienated himself from his culture by marrying only one wife while the community allows polygamy. He is likened to a mono-eyed giant who stood on legs of straw (p.13). He is in constant clash with the Nasila culture which if he adhered to; he would not give his daughters to an old man like Oloisudori. For instance, culture prohibits girls meeting with male visitors but he insists that Resian should serve Oloisudori and his friend during his visit (p.175).

Both Resian and Taiyo clash with FGM tradition, forced early marriages and coaching about Nasila culture. Resian is very rebellious of FGM and forced marriage to Oloisudori. She also rejects cultural coaching saying, “I refuse to be taught to solely please male counterparts” (p.77-78). Resian and Taiyo have lost touch with Nasila culture as a result of being brought up in the city of Nakuru and being educated. They don’t know the types of love that exist in the rich cultural heritage of their community. Resian asks Joseph Parmuat whether patureishi really exists (p.127) showing her ignorance about the matter. Taiyo’s modern cultural values clashes with traditional Nasila culture. She falls in love with Joseph who is of her clan, a thing not allowed in the Nasilian culture.  She does not care about her disregard of such a cultural restriction arguing she cannot care about a primitive culture which also violates her right to marry anybody she falls in love with (p.133).

The positive aspects of Nasila culture are under threat from the imposing modern culture. The writer puts that this culture, “was no more … and just Nasila River has been polluted by chemicals, by the likes of Oloisudori. It had …” become mutable and now it contained defiant mutants that it could not regulate and which were above Nasila laws” (p.118). Mama Milanoi admits that her daughters were operating under a different culture from hers. She says they, “…knew very little of Nasila culture. They were children of a new undefined culture. Theirs was a mutant of another kind” (p.118).

Education is one of the causes of alienation. The Kaelo’s, for instance, want their daughters educated but at the same time are wary of the influence of education on them. We are told that the sons of Nasila who got educated “…got alienated and hardly came back home” (p.150). There is a clash between formal education, which is an aspect of modern culture, with traditional Nasilian culture. This clash makes Nasila culture to be “…grappling with the changes education brought.” These changes, according to the narrator, were “…threatening an explosion in the not too distant future” (pp.150-151).

CULTURAL CONFLICT

Several characters undergo cultural conflict or dilemma in the novel as a result of encountering and embracing the modern culture. Nasila culture, which is part of the larger Maa culture, is also in crisis as a result of clashing with modernity.

Mama Milanoi, wife to Ole Kaelo, is at cultural crossroads. She is in dilemma as far as the question of FGM is concerned. She understands the danger she would expose her daughters in Nasila where there are both positive and negative cultural practices and wishes she could “…shield them and protect them” (p.30). She knows this would not be possible because “Nasila people were very intolerant of those who ignored their cherished cultural sensibilities” (p.30). Sheknows that she is in breach of Nasila traditions by not having circumcised her daughters by then (p.60). While back in Nakuru and before her husband’s retrenchment, Mama Milanoi admits that FGM was a non-issue in the family for “She had regarded the practice as an archaic rite that had been discarded and forgotten. But there it was now, rearing its ugly head and threatening to wreak havoc in the young innocent lives of her daughters” (p.63).

Mama Milanoi is torn between yielding her daughters to the barbaric culture and losing their faith, love and confidence and going against Nasila culture and becoming an alien in the clan. She fears doing anything that would wrong her husband and hence chooses to tread carefully around the matter. She comes out as a weak woman who shies from declaring her stand on Nasila culture when she meekly tells her husband, “Our culture is everything and its rules, our lives” (p.61). Her dutiful role of a faithful and obedient wife to Ole Kaelo comes before her duty to her daughters hence chooses to obey his edicts. She wishes to join forces with the likes of Minik or Emakererei , and fight against practices like FGM but then fears for her marriage, “If she aligned herself with a person who Nasila regarded as having such an obnoxious reputation, where would her marriage stand?” (p.62). She even wonders whether as a family, they are traditionalists or modernists especially by embracing retrogressive cultural values (p.62).

Joseph is faced with cultural conflict when he falls in love with Taiyo who is from his clan. His culture does not allow such a union and hence he is torn between loyalty to that culture or love for Taiyo. He asks himself several questions that reveal this crisis. “Did he have to abandon Nasila culture in exchange of a woman who sneered at its tenets? He considered running away from Nasila and its culture but that left a sour taste in his mouth.” (p.137). He finally opts to stick by Nasila culture arguing that it was too valuable to be abandoned in exchange of a woman’s love. He finally resolves this conflict by declining Taiyo’s love (p.137).

Ole Kaelo’s alienation from his culture and embracing a culture that was neither modern nor traditional creates internal conflict in him. He is torn between marrying his daughter Resian to Oloisudori or turning down his request, thereby losing his business. He keeps wondering what sort of a man Oloisudori is and at some point, he has to assure himself that he is a morally upright man so that he can marry his daughter to him (p.194).

FEMALE ASSERTIVENESS

At the centre of fighting retrogressive cultural practices is Resian, Taiyo and Minik ene Nkoitoi who is commonly called Emakererei.

Both Resian and Taiyo resist F.GM and do all they can to fight the outmoded practice. Resian says she would not live anywhere near a man who would want to mutilate her sexuality while Taiyo says she would only be mutilated if only she were dead (p.33). This declaration sets the mood and tone in the rest of the novel where the girls fight various individuals that try to force them in taking a path they do not wish. Resian resists being circumcised by force in a dream by fighting the enkamuratani and the enkoiboni (pp.244-254). She tells Minik that she had heard of her relentless fight against F.G.M and underage marriage (p.262). Her stand is that girl child circumcision should disappear from Maa language and regarded extinct and that Intoiye Nemengalana (uncircumcised girl) should stop being derogatory (p.263). Minik is bitter and angry about the continued practice of F.G.M at a time she believes the rite has stopped being useful to women. She blames the practice on the neo-culture of wealth which was dampening the fight against such outdated practices. Her take is that “…there was need to plan new strategies to battle the new monster that was rearing its ugly head” (p.269). Resian has a different way out of the problem. She believes that if all women said no to the detestable culture, men would do nothing about it (pp.277-278). Women who have undergone F.G.M such as Minik and Nabaru agree that they are not different human beings hence downplaying its importance.

Resian is opposed to cultural coaching by Joseph Parmuat. Her father observes that though they may find some cultural demands detestable, it is such practices that nurtured and bound their people together (p.71).  To Resian, the coaching is worthless and she says that if they were sons, they would not be subjected to cultural coaching. She says, “I refuse to be taught. I will either be taught at the university what is universally beneficial to all mankind or be taught nothing” (p.73). She is opposed to informal education to girls meant to please men saying, “I refuse to be taught to solely please male counterparts. They can also cook, and they can, and should also learn to please us females” (p.77). She is described as someone who knows her rights by her mother and that she would not allow anyone trample on them (p.118). Later, she accepts to be coached but only after Joseph introduces interesting topics such as those of love.

When Taiyo falls in love with Joseph, she does not care about what others or the culture says about it. She boldly tells Joseph, “No, I don’t care about the oppressive Nasila culture. Why should I care about violating the backward culture when it does not care when it violates my own rights?” (p.133). She says this despite knowing very well that her culture does not allow inter-clan marriage. She assertively tells Joseph she does not care about her culture’s position on the matter when he tells her they cannot marry (p.134). She is ready to defend her love for Joseph including eloping with him to join others who share with her neo-cultural persuasion.

The two girls are ready to fight and resist forced marriages and Oloisudori’s advances on them. They plan and succeedin returning the gifts that he had brought them saying, “Woe to him if he thought she was a chattel to be secured by the content of a briefcase!” (p.198). She flatly rejects Oloisudori’s plans to marry her saying, “You are stark mad if you think I am your wife. I can only be your wife over my dead body” (p.204). She boldly tells her father that she would rather die than get married to a monster” (p.209). When Resian is abducted by Olarinkoi, she continues in her fighting and resisting spirit. The writer says, “Olarinkoi and his demonic mother may physically take her to Tanzania…take her as his wife…physically circumcise her, but mentally she was going to resist… She was going to refuse to be subdued…she was going to physically resist” (p.230).

The song by the girls from Intapuka-e-Maa during Taiyo’s and Resian’s farewell party is full of female assertion. They say they are proud to be uncircumcised and that they would be doctors, teachers and engineers and would build the nation together with men (p.281). This is a song of hope and optimism hence revealing a generation of young people that are not ready to be daunted by retrogressive cultural practices.

MORAL DECADENCE

Despite the rich cultural setting of the novel, there are many cases of immoral conduct or behavior that falls short of the morals of any society. This can be largely attributed to the clash or encounter between the traditional culture and modern culture. Many evils are perpetrated by Oloisudori and other characters with warped morality.

Oloisudori is totally morally decayed. He engages in all sorts of vices in order to amass wealth. He is corrupt, immoral, an extortionist, a smuggler, a poacher, a blackmailer, a thug and even a killer (p.101, 236). He is also suspected by Ole Kaelo to belong to the cult of ilmasonik, a cult that thrived on extortion and blackmail (p.107). These vices, allegedly associated with him, point at his moral deficiency.

When Ole Kaelo asks his friend Supeyo if Oloisudori is a man of integrity, he replies, “Don’t trust him any further than you would a hyena in your homestead…keep the fellow away from your daughters” (p.26). When Oloisudori meets Resian for the first time, his amorous character is evident. He openly scans her body (p.92) and cranes his neck to watch her (p.95). In his presence, Resian is uncomfortable for she felt from his looks as if her blouse was unbuttoned (p.96). She also feels as if he was caressing her entire body with his hands against her will (p.96). He tells Ole Kaelo his intention to marry his daughter very callously and as if he was talking about a goat or a sheep (p.110). In his first visit to Ole Kaelo’s home, “…he took a long time washing his hands as he gloatingly peered at her” (p.179). He has no shame taking the hand of Resian and kissing it without her consent. He looks at her in a sexually suggestive manner “…his gaze deliberately dropped from her face to her bosom and lingered there” (p.203). This is before he drops the bombshell; which is marrying her and making her the happiest woman in East Africa. He shamelessly tells Kaelo of his intention to circumcise Resian before marrying her. Ole Kaelo regards such talks as very abnormal between a father-in-law and a would be son-in-law. From such immoral talk, Ole Kaelo believes that the world had come to an end (p.112).

Apart from Oloisudori, there are many other morally rotten characters in the novel such as Olarinkoi warriors, Olarinkoi, and enkoiboni. The Olarinkoi warriors, who subdued the Maa for long, are morally rotten. They forced the Maa women to “…compose lewd songs which they had to perform in the most outrageous and indecent postures and styles” (p.86). They took advantage of the compromising situation of the Maa women to exploit them sexually knowing that “…they were not able to resist their natural instinctive desires…” (p.86).

Taiyo and Resian’s near rape by two men as they come from their father’s shop in Nasila points at moral decay in Nasila. (p.140). This incident causes the girls mental torture. Some of these deeds are done to them because they are uncircumcised. Olarinkoi is also immoral. He abuses Resian by telling her: “Today we shall see how educated your body is” (p.221). This is before physically assaulting and raping her after she passes out.

The foul language that enkoiboni, the mother to Olarinkoi, addresses Resian with is full of moral rottenness. Her language is full of abuses and bitterness. Enkabaani, Resian’s nurse does not support enkoiboni’s foul language and urges Resian to ignore her. She does not respect Resian’s privacy when she feels her stomach with her hands to check whether she was pregnant. All this time, “Resian seethed with anger at the blatant intrusion of her privacy and total disregard for her feelings” (p.235).

Betrayal is breaking of the trust that existed between individuals before. The greatest betrayal in the novel is that of Ole Kaelo to his daughters. On page one, we are told that Ole Kaelo refused to allow his daughter Taiyo to travel to Mombasa with other young men and women selected by an FM radio station for a music extravaganza (pp.1-2). He refused to allow her saying that no daughter of his “…would so demean herself and her family as to perform in public in exchange of monetary gain” (p.45). To him that would be like engaging in harlotry. In addition, he betrays his daughters’ ambitions to join Egerton University preferring instead to marry them off to Oloisudori, a very rich man. This shows he is not ready to help them realize their dreams as a father should do.

Ole Kaelo has betrayed Resian in many ways. He has not loved her as he should from her birth. We are told that “From the moment she was born, mute and helpless, he detested her” (p.10). This has contributed to Resian growing up “…sullen, bewildered and resentful” (p.10). He is biased in his treating of the two daughters for he does not love her as he loves Taiyo. Taiyo admits this emotional betrayal: “For reasons she did not understand, she had always found their father strangely and harshly impatient towards Resian” (p.34). However, she knew that he despised her ever since she was young (p.173). Ole Kaelo is strongly hateful and unappreciative of her: “…he wondered where in the world they fetched that awkward, overblown, stupid child…And the very look in her eyes, half-fearful, half-defiant and wholly troubled, was always enough to raise his temper to the highest pitch” (p.41). He also abuses her at the slightest provocation. He tells her: “While Taiyo works herself to the bone, she lazes about like an over-fed lizard in the hot afternoon sun!” (p.64). He goes on “Look at the way you slouch…I’ll not be surprised if you soon become a hunchback” (p.64). Even her mother fails Resian for we are told: “Even stranger was their mother’s failure to come to Resian’s defense. It was as if her motherly instincts could not extend her protective wings to cover Resian. Seeing her parents’ betrayal of her sister, Taiyo takes over to comfort Resian and reassure her when hurt especially by her father. Her role in Resian’s life is very important because she relies on her to make requests to their father on her behalf for she cannot approach him directly. The case in point is her quest to join university which she keeps pestering Taiyo to ask their father to do on her behalf. A parent that cannot communicate with his child has definitely failed in his parental responsibility.

Ole Kaelo and Oloisudori mercilessly hatch a plan to abduct Resian and marry her off without her consent if she does not cooperate. The plan is “If she declined, he would leave it at that until the evening when his men would pounce on her and abduct her” (p.191). After such a heinous plan, “The three of them …roared with rich laughter” (p.192).  He is even ready to have her circumcised so that she can get married to a man she does not even love. Mama Milanoi is not blameless because she is inwardly opposed to the abduction plan; but does not speak out to condemn such a wicked plan. When Oloisudori reveals his plan to marry Resian, it “dawned on her that her father had already sold her” (p.204). This greatly shocks her because she never thought that her father could go to the extent of selling her (p.205). He confirms the plan to marry her off to his friend Oloisudori and also shatters Resian’s dream of enrolling as a student at Egerton University. He tells her: “I thought about it alright, but decided that I am not sending you there!” (p.207). This discovery makes her cry, “accusing her father of hatred and betrayal by betrothing her to Oloisudori” (p.208). Resian does not absolve her mother from blame for she believes she also failed her (p.230) especially due to her silence when all those plans against her were being devised. She reasons that her mother should not have been silent when her daughter was being sold to the highest bidder for “Even the hyena’s greed spared its own young ones” (p.231).

Mama Milanoi also betrays her daughter Taiyo by allowing her to accompany three women to take her to Resian only for her to end up being forcefully subjected to F.G.M. We are told that “When she came to, two days later, she was sore, bitter and angry” (p.273). Her mother does all this out of her docile submission and fear of her husband. In addition, she has to play along with Ole Kaelo in his devious acts so that they cannot lose the wealth Ole Kaelo has corruptly acquired by doing business with Oloisudori. Later, when Resian and Taiyo are reunited, they blame their mother for their ordeals saying “She was an example of a wife they never wanted to become” and that they knew she was always in “awe of their father who held her captive and never for once allowed her to express her own opinion on any matter however small it was” (p.277).

MATERIALISM/GREED AND OPULENCE

Materialism is putting material possession before anything else in one’s life while greed is insatiable want for material possessions. Opulence in this novel refers to exaggerated display of wealth by characters.

Ole Kaelo’s house in Nasila is so magnificent that Mama Milanoi exclaims, “Father of all creation! This is but a dream” (p.30). Taiyo says that the house is magnificent while Resian exclaims she had never seen anything like it before (p.31).He has furnished his shop at Nasila extravagantly. We are told “It was splendid, large and well stocked. The décor was discreetly and fashionably done while taking into consideration the kind of customers that were expected” (p.65). This is a show of extravagance and opulence which the rich in this society strongly believe are indications of a wealthy man. Taiyo tells her ever critical sister: It’s important that the shop displays a certain measure of opulence” (p.65). This is so that their father can attract rich customers.

The genesis of Ole Kaelo’s troubles is his signing of a contract with Oloisudori to start a business in Nasila. We are told that “He had long realized the choice was between remaining a nobody; self-righteously and accepting, sensibly, that the man with the meat was also the same man with the knife” (p.25). He therefore gets into business with him. His friend, Supeyo, warns him in advance what kind of man Oloisudori is “…and Oloisudori is probably the most corrupt…keep the fellow away from your daughters” (p.26). Despite the early warning, he is unheeding a thing which makes him lose his two dear daughters finally. Oloisudori has his hands on all sorts of businesses both legal and illegal. These are; agriculture, finance, tourism, import and export, mining and motor trade, extortion, poaching, smuggling and robbing (p.101). When he comes visiting Ole Kaelo, his show of extravagance cannot fail to be noticed in his extravagant dressing. He has a pin-striped designer suit, a gold watch, gold bracelet and a gold chain. (p.177). He shows off his wealth by giving generous gifts to Ole Kaelo, Mama Milanoi, Resian and Taiyo. (p.178). He also hands over a briefcase to Ole Kaelo which is later revealed to have contained a half a million shillings (p.188).

Despite these ugly businesses, Ole Kaelo still deals with him in order to save his business from collapsing. He is not sure whether Oloisudori does not belong to a cult that thrived on blackmail and extortion and which after helping a businessman grow his business, would come back making outrageous demands like sacrificing their beloved ones to the gods of the cult (p.107). Despite knowing all these about him, Ole Kaelo comforts himself in order to defend the material path he has taken.  The narrator observes: “He knew it was pursuit of success that made him interact with Oloisudori….Success was attainment, fortune and prosperity; it was triumph and it gave one happiness. It did not matter how it was obtained….the end…justified the means” (pp.108-109). He consoles himself for having decided to marry his daughter to Oloisudori saying, “Where else would he ever get such a business offer as the one Oloisudori had offered him” (p.165). He decides that he is not ready to lose his business premises and home for these were a matter of life and death to him. In order to survive, “…he realized with finality, he had to change his attitude towards Oloisudori; he had to embrace him” (p.165). He sees the material side only if his daughter married Oloisudori, saying, “…she would soon have her own establishment and a wealthy husband who had much ambition” (p.166).

When Ole Kaelo visits one of the homes of Oloisudori and the house he is building for Resian, he falls instantly in love with the might of wealth that he witnesses. Ole Kaelo’s house is lavishly furnished and the writer says it “…must have been done by a person whose mind must have been preoccupied by the need to be showy, and ostentatious. On the other hand, the house being built for Resian leaves Ole Kaelo speechless and Mama Milanoi stupefied by its grandeur and magnificence (p.190).  Attracted by wealth, he concludes that “…it was only a stupid woman, like his daughter Resian, who would turn down the offer to own the riches they saw in Oloisudori’s home” (p.188). He also hopes that Taiyo, his other daughter would get a rich man to marry her and give him hefty sums of money just as Oloisudori had done. (p.188). After witnessing Oloisudori’s wealth, he decides that Resian must be married by Oloisudori and that “…he was not going to allow his daughter’s ignorance to destroy her future” (p.191). He so much wants the marriage plan to work that he devises a plan with Oloisudori to abduct Resian by force if she did not cooperate (p.191).in fact they agree on usage of a anesthesia to make her unconscious. The only saving grace that can prevent losing his business and house is the success of the marriage. He admits that, “the success or failure of the event would determine the fate of his business” (p.194). He fears being reduced to poverty by Oloisudori and therefore, betrays his own daughter in exchange of material possessions.

DETERMINATION/OPTIMISM

Not giving up in whatever one decides to do is very instrumental in achieving success. Resian’s determination to go to university from the beginning of the novel to the time her dream is achieved is remarkable. This determination is seen from the time they are in Nakuru to when they relocate to Nasila. As her father and family is busy packing so that they can go to their rural home in Nasila, she tells her sister “I don’t want to work at the shop…I want to come back to Nakuru and join Egerton University. I want to take a course in Veterinary Science and become a veterinary doctor” (p.4). She keeps urging her sister to talk to their father so that they can be enrolled at the university. To escape FGM, she tells her sister: “That’s why it’s imperative that you persuade Papaai to allow us go back to Nakuru and enroll at the university” (p.33). She is worried that her father had spent all the money in decorating the shop and left with nothing for their university education (p.65). Sometimes, she would imagine herself admitted at the university “…and walking majestically with other students into one of those awesome lecture theatres, while donning her academic regalia” (p.89). After their near-rape by two young men, Resian tells Taiyo to use that incident to compel their father to take them to university (p.144).

She dreams of graduating and getting a chance to work with Minik ene Nkoitoi, her lifelong role model. (p.153). She is determined to face Oloisudori and resist his advances on her. We are told that “She had vowed to face the monster gallantly…She was in the battle front and success or failure was in her hands” (p.200). Her optimism to join university does not reduce even at her lowest moment when she realizes her father’s intention to marry her by force to Oloisudori. She says, “If I don’t die and live to be eighty, I will still go to the university. I’ll go to Egerton University, Papaai …I hope you will be there to witness my graduation” (p.210).Even in her dream while held captive by Olarinkoi at his hut, she has a dream that showcases her gallant and determined nature. “She was determined that the old enkamuratani would never circumcise another girl again” (p.244). In the dream she fought both the enkamuratani and enkoiboni with a mallet.

Resian’s determination to get university educated and resistance against FGM start bearing fruits when she and Nabaru reach Ntare-Naaju sheep ranch. “She remembers the Maa adage that said: home was never far for one who was still alive” (pp.256-257). Her dreams of joining Egerton University are fulfilled when Minik promises that she would ensure that she and Taiyo get enrolled at the university as they wanted. This is fulfilled when she brings them letters of admission to the university towards the end of the novel. The song that the girls from Intapuka-e-Maa sing is full of determination. The girls are proud of being uncircumcised and have hopes of being doctors, teachers and engineers and contribute in building the nation with men (p.281).  Taiyo is determined to be married by Joseph. She says she won’t be dissuaded by Nasila culture that prevents inter-clan marriage saying, “…I cannot accept its verdict…I am too, ready to face any eventuality that may arise out of our love for one another” (p.134).

HELP/BENEVOLENCE

The overcoming of difficult situations by some characters would not be possible without help and benevolence from other characters. Some of these incidents of help and benevolence, though coincidental, are very important in not only shaping characters’ lives but also in shaping the novel’s plot. When Taiyo and Resian are about to be assaulted sexually by two men, we are told, “Suddenly and unexpectedly, a third man sprang out of the bushes like a ghost” (p.141). This man is Olarinkoi and he is the one that saves them by fighting the two men. The girls cannot imagine what would have happened to them if he had not come at that moment (p.142-143). Later, it is the same Olarinkoi who saves Resian from Oloisudori’s men. His appearance is timely because Resian has even been contemplating to commit suicide by jumping into a river (p.210).

Resian is nursed by Nabaru, a motherly woman after her sexual abuse by Olarinkoi (p224). “At times she held her up, giving her drinks of water, or milk, or feeding her; putting bits of olpurda dipped in honey into her mouth…” (p.224). Nabaru also promises to help Resian in whatever her plans are: “ I am willing to help you to do what you intend to do or go where you want to go once you are back onto your feet” (p.233).  She keeps her word by coming to rescue Resian when Olarinkoi’s mother is just about to attack and have her circumcised (p.246).

Further, Taiyo and Resian get help from Minik when she promises to have her enrolled at Egerton University (p.264). She keeps her promise when she gives the two girls letters of admission to the university. Resian also qualifies for a scholarship from the ranch which is managed by Minik to fund her education. She in addition gives her a job in the ranch, an advance salary, as well as a fully furnished house. Resian is sincerely appreciative of Minik’s benevolence, saying, “Your voice dear Emakererei is truly the voice of God” (p.265). Taiyo is rescued from the hands of her circumcisers by Minik. Both Nabaru and Minik are very instrumental in the physical and psychological healing of the two girls. We are told that with Nabaru’s nursing care, Minik’s encouragement and counseling sessions from a teacher from Intapuka-e-Maa school, Taiyo is able to fully recover (p.276).

MALE CHAUVINISM

Male chauvinism refers to the feeling of superiority by men and their domineering attitude over women in the society as a result of general male domination or patriarchy in a given society. Ole Kaelo is a male chauvinist. He beats his wife to submission to coerce her follow his decisions without any resistance. When his wife reasons that they should think of the family interests first with regard to adhering to Nasila culture, he irritably asks her, “What do you mean?” (p.61). When she realizes that he is getting angry, she beats a hasty retreat saying, “Our culture is everything and it rules our lives” (p.61). Although Mama Milanoi realizes when it is too late the role Oloisudori has played in shaping their material lives, she admits that she would not have helped to separate him from such a man because it “…Was the man who made decisions as to which direction their lives took” (p.114).

According to Resian, the ancient Ilarinkon were no different from the current ones. She is of the view that the current Ilarinkon are worse and that they are despotic oppressive tyrants who oppress women by ensuring that they are subjected to FGM for ever (p.91). The current Ilarinkon include Ole Kaelo, Oloisudori and Olarinkoi. Ole Kaelo forces Resian to attend to and serve his friend Oloisudori when her mother says nothing about it. He orders: “You have to be there…it is important to me that you are there” (p.171). Olarinkoi’s chauvinism is seen in his changed attitude towards Resian when he takes her to his house far from Nasila. He tells her, “You woman…You can either cook or keep standing stupidly or die of hunger…and Resian stared “…at the man who seemed to have suddenly turned from a person she had known for quite some time, to a beast” (p.218). He later molests her sexually after returning drunk. Oloisudori is a male chauvinist. This is seen in his address to Resian when she refuses his marriage offer. He tells her “You can never escape Resian…Whether you scream your heart out, or jump into the deep sea…you are mine. You are my wife from now henceforth” (p.204). He arrogantly tells her: No one plays games with Oloisudori. Ask your father, he will tell you” (p.204). (add more illustrations).

GENDER INEQUALITY

Men and women are not equal in this novel. Women’s position is lower than that of men who dominate over everythingand suppress women. This is especially seen at the family level where the husband is the sole decision maker and the wife just accepts those decisions without question. Ole Kaelo has a very easy time courting and marrying his wife. A woman is not supposed to resist a man who wants to marry her as per Nasilian tradition whether she loves him or not. We are told “She accepted him without any resistance. Tradition did not allow her to offer any and as expected of her, she did not resist” (p.29). Mama Milanoi is an unequal marriage partner to Ole Kaelo. She leaves decision making to her husband and does not oppose any of his decisions. She refuses to be drawn into the discussion about the coaching of her daughters by Joseph saying “It was Taiyo’s father’s territory” (p.56).Mama Milanoi cannot oppose him for “…in her culture there was no room for dissent, especially if the subject was in conformity with the culture” (p.61).

In this society, “…women had no say. It was a patriarchal society where the Emakererei and her ilk were fighting to find relevance with little success” (p.62). Such gender imbalance uplifts the man over the woman. In their case, it leaves Ole Kaelo with the sole responsibility of making final decisions on all matters affecting the family. We are also told that Mama Milanoi has been held captive by her husband who “…never for once allowed her to express her own opinion on any matter however small it was” (p.277). This suppression has prevented her from speaking her mind and opposing the subjection of her daughters to outdated cultural practices. Resian is opposed to her father’s hiring of Joseph to coach them about Nasilian culture. She says “I am beginning to think it is disadvantageous being a woman in this society” (p.73). She finds fault with the plan reasoning that if they were sons, they would not be subjected to such cultural coaching. Resian regrets living in a society where men thought they had right to every woman’s body (p.143). This is after their near-rape by two men. Such unjustified rights emanate from the fact that men deem themselves as superior to women and can do whatever they want with women.

Change refers to transition or transformation of characters or situations. Most of the changes in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah are caused by the erosion of the Maa culture as a result of its coming into contact with modern culture or civilization. This causes alienation in characters and as a result they change.

The Ole Kaelos are forced by destiny to relocate to Nasila after his retrenchment. This came as a thunderbolt at midday (p.7). The environment in Kaelo’s new home in Nasila is different from that in their urban home in Nakuru. Taiyo and Resian are woken up the first day in Nasila by “…a lively chatter of birds in the trees surrounding the house…What a contrast to what they were used to in Nakuru!” (p.14). In Nakuru, they were always woken up by hoots from Matatus, touts’ shouts, engine revving and banging on vehicles.

Nasila culture is changing due to alienation. Mama Milanoi cannot believe she can have a man as old as Oloisudori as her mother-in-law. She observes that in the past, such a thing would not have happened for “Culture would not have allowed it to happen” (p.114). She feels that if Nasila culture was intact, such a thing would not have happened and she wonders “…where that culture had fled to “…Had the culture become moribund, useless and impotent?” (p.117) This could be true because forced marriages to old people were not there in the past and any old man who showed interest in a young girl was met with much retribution from women and the entire society.” pp.115-117). The traditional Nasilian culture had many advantages to the people. It regulated lives of people, defined relationships, did not favour or discriminate and above all, was cherished by all. Sadly, according to Mama Milanoi, this culture was no more. “It was defiled and polluted by the likes of Oloisudori …had become mutable and contained defiant mutants that it could not regulate and which were above Nasila laws” (p.118). One of the causes of this great change in Nasila culture is education for Mama Milanoi goes on to observe that she had seen changes in her daughters. “They had gone through a school system that intermingled them with children from other cultures.” (p.118). As a result, her children know very little of Nasila culture. “They were children of a new undefined culture. Theirs was a mutant of another kind” (p.118). Indeed, Resian best exemplifies the epitome of this new undefined culture.

Joseph Parmuat observes that “Individualism, petty jealousy and lack of trust killed that once important aspect of Nasila culture” (p.127). The individualism of the likes of Ole Kaelo and Oloisudori are very central in eroding the culture of Nasila hence bringing many changes in the society. According to Taiyo, culture and traditions are never static. She says, “By being dynamic, culture shades off aspects that become irrelevant with time” (p.128). She hopes that the outdated FGM and restriction on inter-clan marriage should be abolished from Nasila cultural practices. Joseph and Minik cites cultural practices like throwing the dead to the hyenas, leaving the elderly and sick in deserted homesteads to be devoured by wild animals and emuata ( pp.128, 263). This ascertains the dynamism and transformational characteristic of Nasilian culture over the years an aspect that gives hope to fighters against outdated practices such as F.G.M.

LOVE, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Ole Kaelo has effectively played his role as a father by providing and putting up a house for his family in Nasila. The house he has built for his family in Nasila is so magnificent that Mama Milanoi exclaims, “Father of all creation! This is but a dream” (p.30). Taiyo says that the house is magnificent while Resian exclaims she had never seen anything like it before (p.31). At another level, both parents fail in their emotional obligations to one of their daughters, Resian. Ole Kaelo for instance has instilled fear in her such that there is no free interaction between father and daughter, has hated her from birth, keeps reprimanding her, abuses her and finally greatly betrays her by conspiring to marry her off to his friend Oloisudori (pp. 206-210) and when this aborts, he turns to his favorite daughter Taiyo but not before he has her forcefully circumcised (p.273). The hitherto good and peaceful family especially when he was in Nakuru has fallen apart at the end of the novel due to his greed for wealth.

In the traditional Nasilian culture, love is not entirely a prerequisite to marriage. Although Ole Kaelo was smitten with love for Mama Milanoi the first time he saw her in the church, her feelings for him are not required for them to marry.  We are told that “From the moment he saw her, he had been obsessed and he was still obsessed twenty-two years later” (p.9). On his wife’s side, we are told, “She accepted him without any resistance. Tradition did not allow her to offer any and as expected of her, she did not resist (p.29). What she considers is his character. We are told she knew he was a good man, a great provider, a planner and a man with the will to succeed. She also knew he loved her genuinely (p.29). He continues loving his wife many years after their marriage showing his satisfaction with her. When he wakes up he says, “Oh, did he not have a wife there. He was elated” (p.59).

Simiren, brother to Ole Kaelo, is a polygamist but he treats all his wives equally. “It was only yeiyo-botorr , who occupied a special position in the home and who received favour from her husband without anyone frowning. Communal life, selflessness, and respect characterize this family and there are few disagreements and disputes. The family in general is a haven of peace, a thing that makes Resian and Taiyo admire traditional way of life in their uncle’s polygamous marriage (p.154).

Taiyo puts love first before cultural dictates on who one should marry. Their culture does not allow inter-culture marriage but nonetheless, she falls in love with Joseph Parmuat, who belongs to her own clan and hence they are not allowed to marry. Taiyo is assertive enough for she is the one who approaches Joseph saying, “I know you are in love with me the way I am in love with you” (p.133). Joseph reciprocates her love for him saying, “I loved you the moment I saw you during your father’s homecoming ceremony” (p.134). When Resian asks Joseph to be her Patureishi , he says that culture does not allow it for she is like his sister (p.127).Taiyo loves her sister so much that she has stepped in to fill the vacuum that has been left in Resian’s heart due to her parent’s cold attitude towards her. Resian has relied on her sister for protection since primary and Taiyo has made it her duty to mop hertears (p.34).

There are several characters who suffer in the hands of the blunt Nasilian culture. Resian is slapped by her father for refusing to marry Oloisudori. After this, she undergoes a series of mental and physical suffering. She suffers as she is transported to the assumed Minik’s Sheep ranch by Olarinkoi. At night during the journey, she fears attack of wild animals. She also had “…a layer of dust in her mouth, in her nostrils, in her ears and on her eyelashes” (p.215). She suffers in the hands of Olarinkoi and his mother. She is physically assaulted by Olarinkoi until she passes out after which he proceeds to rape her. After the sexual assault, she falls sick and has hallucinations. We are told that when “…she later came to, confused fleeting impressions registered on her awareness” (p.223).

Taiyo also suffers the blunt of archaic retrogressive Nasilian culture. She is forced against her will to undergo FGM. During the painful rite, we are told “She screamed and screamed, but nobody came to her rescue. Then she fainted. When she came to, two days later, she was sore, bitter and angry” (p.273).

RELIGION AND SUPERSTITIONS

During the homecoming party of Ole Kaelo, an elder is expected to bless his home before Ole Kaelo can be received back in Nasila. We are told “The elders would also bless the wife, children and property that he brought back and which were all henceforth going to be the wealth of the Ilmolelian clan (p.38). The ceremony is conducted by Ole Musanka who is to conduct the sacred ceremony of officially receiving him into the Ilmolelian culture and offer blessings for his family’s well-being (p.50). Apart from blessing Ole Kaelo, the elder had special blessing for Taiyo. He even prophecies that she would be the mother of the next leader (p.52). This man also curses Emakererei, the wasp, whose real name is Minik for fighting F.G.M. He says “May she go down with the setting sun” (p.52).

TeiyoBottor, Resian and Taiyo’s aunt tell their mother that their daughter Resian has Olkuenyi, a bad spirit and it is only circumcision that could get rid of it (p.78). Mama Milanoi remembers that when she was young, diseases were treated through “…a blood-letting ceremony known as angam. “Several nicks were made on the ailing sections of the body and the blood sucked out” (p.79). Curses are indications of the superstitious nature of this community. The Enkoiboni, is a diviner. It is said that she had prophesied that Ole Kaelo would move to Nasila with his two uncircumcised daughters and that his son would go to live in that home and finally bring with him one of Ole Kaelo’s daughter to be circumcised before marrying her. Going by that, it is evident that her prophecies and predictions are true (p.232). As Nabaru and Resian escape from Olarinkoi, Olarinkoi curses her saying, “My mother’s curse will find you there” (p.249). He also boasts that his mother’s predictions always come to pass” (p.250).

WOMEN AS THEIR OWN ENEMIES

Much as the modern woman opposes retrogressive cultural practice such as F.G.M, majority of women support these practices. Mama Milanoi is in support of F.G.M even as her daughters fight to resist the harmful practice. The writer puts: “Did she not support female genital mutilation that was prevalent among her people in Nasila?” (p.63). Despite being a woman, she betrays her daughter by giving her over to the enkamuratani to be circumcised (pp.272-273). She also keeps quiet and does not speak to oppose her husband’s plans to marry off her daughters to an old man. This is despite the fact that she is inwardly opposed to the whole idea. According to Maa oral tradition, it was women who came up with the idea of F.GM. They made a lasting resolution to sexual exploitation of women by the Olarinkoi and that gave rise to enkamuratani.“ And her olmurunya was shaped, sharpened and handed to her” (p.87). The same practice that was useful then comes to haunt young girls such as Taiyo and Resian.

Nabaru also finds fault with the Maa women. She believes that they were the perpetrators of FGM and that no woman had taken up the olmurunya to circumcise a girl. (p.277). Resian says that if all women said no to the detestable culture, men would do nothing and the practice would stop (p.278). However, women are not speaking in one voice hence it has becomes very difficult to fight cultural practices that harms them. Olarinkoi’s mother also greatly serves in oppressing fellow women. She is planning to have Resian circumcised before she can be married by her son. The three women that Taiyo composes a song to ridicule also serve in oppressing women. We are told that they collaborated with men to oppress women (p.153).

WAR/VIOLENCE

The traditional Maa community in which the novel is set takes pride in engaging in external battles and wars to protect their territory or as an economic undertaking. There are many cases of violence reported in the clan.

One remarkable war is that between Olarinkoi and Maa warriors that led to the Maa people being ruled for many years. After many years under the Ilarinkon rule, we are told that “the Maa people eventually revolted and overthrew the Olarinkoi despotic rule” (p.87). Ole Kaelo attacks his daughter Resian for refusing to cooperate in his plan to have her married to Oloisudori. “After a moment of frozen immobility, her father suddenly pushed his chair, moved fast from behind the desk and slapped her face, sending her reeling back so that she almost fell” (p.209).

The fight between the girls at Minik’s ranch and Oloisudori’s men ends the protracted oppression of the man on Kaelo’s daughters. We are told that his convoy “…was reduced to smoldering shells and acrid smell of burning tyres” (p283). There is also a fight between Olarinkoi and the men that wanted to rape Resian and Taiyo. The bravery of Olarinkoi saves the girls from being raped. When the two young men are caught up by Olarinkoi and his men, they are beaten up before being spared. Women are also violent. The case in point is the old man they punish for being infatuated by a young girl. We are told “Then all the women proceeded to the homestead of the accused, armed with all kinds of weapons that included firewood…and their husbands’ knobkerries” (p.115). They go on to “…beating him thoroughly and stripping him naked” (p.116). Finally, this man dies and the women feel satisfied that they have avenged their anger.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON THEMES

• Explain four good aspects of Nasilian culture.
• Discuss four cases of culture conflict in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah.
• Identify and illustrate instances of alienation in the novel.
• “Determination is the key to success.” Write a detailed composition to illustrate the statement.
• Resian, Taiyo and Minik are justified in their fight against FGM because many cultural practices have been abandoned. Do you agree? Support your answer with illustrations from the novel.
• Illustrate cases of betrayal in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah and their impact on characters.
• Discuss four evils present in a morally decadent society.

CHAPTER FOUR

Language and style.

The language used in literature is different from that used in other disciplines. Language in literature goes a notch higher because it is not only used originally but also innovatively. This contributes to aesthetics or beauty in literary texts hence appealing to the readers. Style on the other hand can simply be defined as the unique manner of doing something. Just like everybody has a walking style and hair cutting style, playwrights have unique ways which they use to pass their messages to the audience. There are a number of stylistic devices in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah. This guidebook will enumerate some of these devices.

Vivid Description

The writer uses words to paint clear mental images on the readers’ mind.  This enables the audience to understand the text better. As the Kaelo’s are preparing to depart from Nakuru for Nasila the scenery is vividly described. “He was gesticulating violently, apparently reprimanding loaders for being slow and inept (p.1). This description points out clearly the character of Kaelo as stern.The welcoming ceremony of the Kaelo’s family by uncle Simiren’s family is vividly described “Chunks of meat went round…selected a piece from the tray” (p.12). The description helps in showing the generous nature of Kaelo as well as his meticulous planning abilities. Life at Nasila is vividly described “the intermittent crowing of roosters… a rare atmosphere of tranquility and serenity…” (p.14). The description is used to contrast the peaceful mood of the rural Nasila and the urban town of Nakuru that is characterized by hustles and bustles.

Simiren’s polygamous setting is described vividly “Three main houses stood within a well-tended and a evenly trimmed kei apple perimeter hedge… (p.14). “The sixteen or so children aged between three and sixteen were perched on benches, stools and chairs” (p.16). This description shows high birthrate in the family. It also paints a polygamous family in Nasila.  The vivid description of Ole Supeyo (p.23), “he lifted a corner of his shirt and scratchedhis belly while his other hand stroked the stubble on his chin…” shows his wealthy status in the society.

Oloisudori is described in uncomplimentary terms “wide gap…black eyes….looking like a warthog” (p.92). The description signals Oloisudori’s mean character and the readers can even form a picture of a criminal before much is disclosed to them. There is a vivid description of how women in the past dealt with an old man who sexually mistreated a young girl (p.117). Taiyo’s bold visit to Joseph’s bachelor house is vividly described (p. 130). It shows the feelings of the two lovers who are restrained by culture. The attack of the two girls by two menin which Olarinkoi saves them is vividly described. “He sprang like a ghost” (p.141). This shows the risk the girls are going though in the hostile Nasila environment.

The search conducted by thirty men with Kaelo and Joseph is vividly described to show the urgency of getting the girls’ molesters (p161). The resigned Resian is vividly described after she is required to serve Oloisudori and his group (p.172). “She walked to an olopon i tree at the centre of the garden. Finding a log underneath it, she sank down…her shoulders drooping…” It shows Oloisudori’s insensitive character.The journey by Oloisudori and the couple is vividly described (p. 190,191). It shows Oloisudori’s cunning and scheming character. The journey by Resian, Olarinkoi and the pick-up driver is vividly described to show the ill manners of the two young men (p. 212, 213). The escape by Resian and Nabaru is also vividly described to show the risk involved by the two females with strong character (p. 247).

A simile is a stylistic device that compares two things indirectly with an aim of drawing a mental picture in the mind of the reader. Before the Kaelo’s relocate to Nasila, some women from Nasila visit Mama Milanoi. They signal a future menace since the girls are not circumcised. The author says, “The words came to haunt her like a demented spirit” (p.8). This is later seen when mama Milanoi and Kaelo have to live alone in their old age after Taiyo and Resian go to the ranch and later to the university (p.13). “They had likened him to a mono- eyed giant who stood on legs of straw.”(p.13).Kaelo is compared to a giant because he holds a senior position in his home, as the head in his house yet he has chosen to be very weak by having only one wife and two daughters. The elders feel Kaelo is not stable. He should be supported by many sons like Simiren. Ole Supeyo compares effects of FGM with effects of dehorning cows. “Like cattle that required being dehorned to reduce accidental injuries to each other, a certain docility was required to keep more than one wife in one homestead” (p.22). This simile shows the chauvinistic nature of Supeyo.

“The sense of foreboding from the threat was still hanging in the air like the sword of Damocles.’ (p.27). This simile shows the apprehensive mood in which the girls are in after they are accosted by the callous young man. Mama Milanoi says her husband had bullied and scolded her “like half-witted child” (p.29). This shows how Kaelo considered her as a child. It also reveals the low position of a wife in a Maa family.

Uncle Simiren danced, his bald head shining like a piece of iron sheet in the afternoon sun.” (p.45). The simile shows the industry, age and alienation of Simiren as well as the celebratory mood in the event. After the drinks, voices of laughter of the revelers are described as: “they rose and fell like sound of waves beating upon flooded river banks to show the exuberant carefree mood (p.50). A simile describes Resian’s condition of insecurity, “Lonely stalked her like a lost young leopard.” (p.57). This shows the danger that looms in the new environment. Kaelo comments, “Your daughter Resian is like an overfed lizard in the afternoon sun” (p.64).The simile is used to comment on the lazy character of Resian.

Olarinkoi is described as “sitting quietly and staring unblinkingly like a leopard would while stalking an antelope (p.75). This shows Olarinkoi’s antisocial nature. It also indirectly reveals his real intention in Kaelo’s home. Yeiyo Botorr expresses her contempt for Resian’s assertive character in a simile. “One with olkuenyi (bad spirit) was shunned like plague” (p.78). “It was easier to fall in love with a serpent than with Olarinkoi” (p.80). Taiyo’s statements shows that Olarinkoi is antisocial and nobody would wish him to be their friend. Mama Milanoi cannot bear the pricking language of Resian on Oloisudori. She says, “You spoke like one with a demented spirit?” This shows Mama Milanoi’s fear towards Oloisudori and her meekness to Kaelo.

Kaelo comments, “Why do you run like one who has seen an apparition? (p.96). In this simile, Kaelo-Resian cold relationship is shown. After Oloisudori’s visit, the couple has sleepless nights. “They turned and turned like ilmintilis being roasted in the fire” (p.107). The simile shows the torture that the couple undergoes. After Oloisudori informs the couple that he is to have their two daughters, “a disaster loomed large like ominous black clouds” (p.121).

To express her aggressive character, Resian is described by use of a simile. “She sunk her teeth into the flesh like a ferocious animal” (p.221). After the ordeal, the writer says, “thoughts came back like a remote collection” (p.223). This simile evokes a sympathetic attitude on the part of the reader. To show the caring, sacrificing and protective nature of Nabaru, the writer says, “Nabaru scooped Resian like a little baby” (p.246).

It is a style which employs direct comparison of two things without using “as…as” “like” etc. with an aim of forming a mental picture in the reader’s mind. Ole Sumpeyo terms Oloisudori as a randy he goat so as to show the height of his sexual immorality. He warns Kaelo to keep off his daughters. (p.26). Ole Musanka describes Kaelo as a tiny strand of hair that has been blown away from its owner’s head by a gust of wind. (p.51). This shows that Kaelo is part of Maa culture and is owned by the Maa culture.” (p.51). It also brings out the wise character of Ole Musanka. To express her contempt and annoyance, Resian describes Oloisudori, “what an ill-mannered devil this man is.” (p.93). After the heinous act by Olarinkoi on Resian, rape, the sun is described as a bowl of red (p.226).

Personification

It is a stylistic device in which a novelist uses human attributes on non-living things with significance to the novel. For instance Nakuru is described as “That beloved town that was the mother of all flamingoes” (p.2). It is evident that the flamingoes make the area very attractive and probably that is one of the reasons Taiyo sheds tears and is hesitant to leave it for Nasila a rural set up. It could also be interpreted that Nakuru is enlivened by the flamingoes making it relaxing. On reaching Nasila, the tranquility is expressed, “a cool fresh breeze swept in and caressed her face soothingly.(p.14).The breeze in this case is emphasized by being given a human quality of caressing. A pot of ugali is said to hiss cheerfully at the side (p.280).The exaggeration is aimed at emphasizing on the significance of the happy event.

It is a novelistic style in which the writer presents the actual conversation between characters. It brings a break from prose and therefore breaks monotony on the part of the reader. Taiyo and Resian converse about their new residence (p.3). The dialogue shows their mixed attitudes towards Nasila. Resian is afraid of the new home. She fears that the new shop may not pick something which may make the family needy in the future. However, Taiyo encourages her to have faith.

While taking a walk around Simiren’s compound, Taiyo and Resian converse on the apprehension and rivalry among the four houses. This exposes the enmity in a polygamous marriage. The dialogue between Joseph and Ole Kaelo serves to warn Taiyo and Joseph against having any love relationship (p.70).

The heated conversation between yeiyo-Botorr , mama Milanoi, Taiyo and Resian on p.77 reveals Resian’s assertiveness and daring character. It also shows yeiyo-botorr as conservative. The dialogue between Taiyo, Resian and yeiyo-Kiti gives the girls more information about Minik Nkoitoi and adds curiosity on the part of the girls to see her in the future (p.151).

On the other hand, the heated dialogue between Kaelo and Resian (p. 210, 211) brings out Kaelo’s character as mean and abusive while it portrays Resian as sentimental. Lastly, the conversation between Resian, Taiyo and Minik on (p. 280) in Minik’s office brings out the manager’s character as courteous.

It is a style in which a novelist takes us back to a time in the past with an intention of informing the reader on past occurrences. It reveals critical information to the audience as well as helping in plot development.We are informed of how the Kaelo’s got married twenty two years ago and how Kaelo got employed by Agribix Limited. In order for mama Milanoi to view the future in the right perspective, she first recalls on the past (p.7). Kaelo flashes back how he had first spotted Jane, his wife in a church service (p.9). The flashback helps in identifying Mama Milanoi as religious.

Through a flashback we are told of the humorous story of how Ole Supeyo would take Kaelo to the forest and instruct him to count a lot of money. From this flashback, we discover their deep rooted friendship (p. 21). The flashback in this case is also a source of humour. Mama Milanoi flashes back to a time when Kaelo married her twenty two years ago and how her parents were happy to get a wealthy son in law (p. 28). The flashback informs the audience of the concern Jane’s parents had for their daughter. Taiyo has a flashback on how she excelled in music festivals and was awarded and garlanded. An FM radio station sponsored her to attend an extravaganza (p.44). This flashback is essential in revealing Taiyo as a talented girl. It explains why she is interested with the Maasai dance as well. Mama Milanoi flashes back when an old man like Oloisudori would not have been allowed by culture to marry young girls. (p.114).in such a case Mama Milanoi would have appealed to an elder’s court which would rule him out of elders. It would also fine him.

This stylistic device entails a writer depicting what is contrary to what is expected by the reader. For instance, Mama Milanoi optimistically thinks that it would be easy for the couple to marry off their two girls at Nasila than Nakuru town (p.8).However, this proves to be difficult later in the novel. The two girls put up a spirited fight against their marriage to Oloisudori. Resian escapes from her prophesied marriage to Olarinkoi while Taiyo escape shortly after undergoing FGM.

It is ironical that Kaelo detests his daughter Resian simply because she is born a girl instead of a son as he wishes. Since the baby is innocent and did not contribute in her sex, we expect the father to appreciate her. Furthermore, according to biological sciences it is the man who carries male genes (p.10). It is ironical when Kaelo dismisses elders as practitioners of archaic traditions when they mount pressure for him to be polygamous yet later he supports F.G.M on his daughters which is an equally archaic humiliating practice. This clearly portrays greed that overwhelms him as well as his weak character (p.113). It is ironical that Kaelo had been warned against the criminal record of Oloisudori from Supeyo but still falls for his snare (p.108). It is ironical that after Joseph wins the hearts of Resian, his heart is filled with frightening premonition (p.136).

Although the first day at Simiren’s place begins happily, it ends while the girls are disappointed after they are accosted by a callous young man. It is ironical that mama Milanoi feels she has failed in giving Kaelo a son and even praises and praise God for a baby boy (p.29).It is ironical that the idea of Enkamuratani and Olmurunya was hatched by women themselves (p.87). Many years later this practice becomes a source of humiliation and pain to the female population.It is ironical that FGM that adversely affects women in the Maa community is practically done by women (p.227).

It is also ironical that Olarinkoi, the mysterious young man Resian detested later saves their lives. (p.142). Still, it is ironical that when Kaelo calls Resian to inform her of marriage to Oloisudori, Resian thinks she is being called for admission in the university (p.182).Lastly, it is ironical that Emuata (a heavy copper ring is primarily made to make brides beautiful yet it is heavy and uncomfortable to the females (p.263).

The physical appearance of the two sisters and their mother is symbolically expressed,“Taiyo and Resian both head and shoulder taller than their mother, stood on” (p.11).The height of the two girls is physically compared to that of their mother. The height could be interpreted in terms of their contribution to female emancipation. The deeper meaning is that Resian and Taiyo’s role in fighting gender inequality is greater than that of their mother.

At the time of the planned circumcision of Resian, the sun is described, “it’s sad yellow light … discordant howls of hyenas…” (p.243). These symbols reinforces the mood. Also, as Nabaru and Resian leave the desolate village, there is a heavy downpour. The rain symbolizes hope in future. (p.248). At the ranch, Resian is led to a house with a soothingly cool carpet which cools her tired and thorn pricked feet (p.260). This symbol assures the comfortable life the future holds for Resian.

The conspicuous departure for Egerton University by Resian, Taiyo and Minik is symbolic. (p.246). They leave behind Oloisudori’s burnt vehicles. It symbolizes their victory over Oloisudori’s army, patriarchy, FGM and stereotype.

Local Dialect

It involves the use of Maasai and Swahili words in the novel by the author. The usage enriches the setting of the fiction; the Maasai geographical area of settlement and the rural set up aspect of the novel. It makes the story credible, authentic and alive as well as anchoring the elaborate theme of culture.In depicting the serene atmosphere, the author says, “Interspersed were the olive- green ilorienito (brown wild olive) trees whose fragrant…cluster of bushes of olobaani … Ilkilenya climbers grew…” (p.15). Yeiyoo botorr (p.16), means eldest wife. Her presence portrays the different level of power in a polygamous marriage.

Still to emphasize the beauty and serenity the writer says about Kaelo’s home, “clusters of oleleshua,osinoni and olkirrpanyany bushes dotted the compound. (p.31). People visit Kaelo’s new home so as to observe the girls with an aim of commending them as inkainito (p.36).

Enkaitoyoni and enkamuratani came to make acquaintance with potential clients.(p.36). After feeding and dancing, people take esuguroi drink to gladden their hearts (p.46). Esuguroi is a fermented honey beer spiced with aloe. It is believed that Resian has Kisirani, an evil ominous harbinger to a terrible thing (p.78).

There are many other instances of use of local dialects such as intoiye nemengalana , olmurunya, papaai, enkoiboni, inkainito, shuka, olbitirr, mzee, mheshimiwa, patureishi, elangatare, oloiboni and many others. The meaning of these Maasai and Kiswahili words has been provided in the text or in the glossary of terms at the end of the novel.

It is a stylistic device in which something ominous is signaled to happen in the future. Mama Milanoi experiences a pang of strange premonition that twists her nerves unpleasantly (p.17). This suggests the lurking danger especially because her daughters are in the status of intoiyenemengalana. Once they arrive in their new house, Resian says, “I feel an oppressive silence.”(p.32).This points at the rough episodes she encounters later (p.32). Taiyo and Resian experience a long night characterized by mournful calls of night birds (p.55). This signals the bad experience ahead. On page 138, Olmultut (a bird of bad omen) coos sorrowfully at Resian’s gate. This bird is a harbinger of bad news. Its cry is ominous (p.138).

Rhetorical Questions

It is a stylistic device which employs questions which do not necessarily require answers but are aimed at stimulating critical thinking. To show that Kaelo is going through a hard reflective moment, he asks, “Was not everybody doing business with him? Was he really that bad? Was it the usual business rivalry and envy? (Oloisudori) (p.27). These questions show the dilemma in which Kaelo is in. Mama Milanoi wonders what they stand for as a family. Are they traditionalists or modernists? (p.62). This shows her dilemma towards F.G.M and her daughters. Resian asks, “Was there a curse for being born a woman?” (p.205). She rhetorically asks, “Was it jealousy consuming her? (p.49). This is about the growing love between Taiyo and Joseph. Nabaru argues on page 277, “if the Enkamuratani threw away the olmurunya and refused to wield it again, what would happen?” it is a call for women’s awakening to rise to the occasion and fight F.G.M.

Oral Literature Devices

Kaelo had learnt that Odomongi and Orok-kiteng , the legendary twin homesteads of the founder that begot of the five clans of Nasila: Ilmolelian, Ilmakesen, Ilukumae, Ilaiser and Iltarrosero were the cradle of Nasila people (p.37). Mama Milanoi’s dilemma is aptly described in a summarized narrative. Her situation was like that of ole Nkipida who was chased into a deserted hut by a lion just to be confronted by a hungry python at the door (p.60). This describes the conflict brought about by F.G.M. There is a common myth that by spilling blood through F.G.M bad spirit is purged away” (p.78). Joseph narrates a moving story of the legendry Olarinkoi (p.81). In the story, women entertain Ilarinkon warriors who demeaned and sexually exploited women (p.86). The story also tells the origin of F.G.M (P.87).

Song and Dance

On page41, during the homecoming ceremony, a bevy of beautiful young women dance exciting traditional dance. Men also do a springy dance (p.41). It is from this dance that Taiyo falls in love with Joseph Parmuat. He leads primary school children into a song about welcoming the returning hero, Kaelo (p.42). Taiyo composes a song which she sings in her heart. The song is dedicated to three women who collaborated with men to oppress women folks (p.153).

Girls from Intapuka e Maa sing a song (p.281). This song makes the two girls shed tears for it praises intoiye nemengalana. (p.281). It also reveals women assertiveness and readiness to fight oppressive cultural practices as well as song of hope, victory and equality.

They are short statements laden with a deep meaning. They are mostly used by the elderly people as a measure of wisdom and experience. Ole Kaelo on p.25 says, “The man with the meat was the same man with the knife.” This signifies that for him to get contracts, he must work with the corrupt Oloisudori. On p.25 Ole Musanka quips, “When an old rat begins to smell, it returns to its mother’s home” (p.52). Meaning that Kaelo is old and had to return to Maa culture as well as home for a sense of belonging. What the superstitious Yeiyoo Botorr says to mama Milanoi about Resian is in form of a proverb, “To hide a boil that is under the armpit is unwise” (p.78). Meaning the girl’s condition of intoiye nemengalana is vicious and will soon burst. While encouraging Resian to escape to the ranch Olarinkoi says, “Home is never far for one who is still alive” (p.211).

It is a device in which the writer creates a pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome of events or phenomenon. In the novel, an air of suspense surrounds Olarinkoi. Kaelo does not introduce him to us at any point in the novel nor does he mention him. (p.79). The audience is let to think about him evoking curiosity which keep them reading. The breaking down of the lorry near the ranch attracts suspense (p.252). Readers wonder what is to happen next. They worry of the character’s safety. When Minik calls Taiyo and Resian in her office and stays for long without breaking the silence, suspense is created. Especially because she is holding two letters with unknown contents (p. 279). The readers remain in suspense for long as to whether Resian will agree to be married by Oloisudori or not. They also keep reading and to see whether she will be circumcised by force by Olarinkoi’s mother and be married by Olarinkoi as his mother had prophesied.

Kaelo has a dream in which Resian consents to marriage by Oloisudori (p.195). The dream shows the level of greed in Kaelo. While in a strange room belonging to Olarinkoi’s people, Resian has a dream in which she meets Minik. The dream fires her ambition. (p.220). Resian dreams a triumphant dream where she battles enkamuratani’s crew who want to circumcise her by force (p.244, 245).

It is a style in which there is a reference to something which is supposed to be known but not explicitly mentioned. A writer can refer to history, politics, the bible, literature and so on. In this novel, there are literary and biblical allusions. Resian quotes from a famous speaker, “What pained one most was not the injustices carried out against one by the adversaries but the silence of those who called themselves his or her friends at the time the injustice was done” (p.231). This literary allusion is in reference to her mother who kept quiet all the time they were being exposed to barbaric Nasilian cultural practices. There are several cases of biblical allusion. Resian remembers the tribulations of the Biblical Job. (p.230). She suddenly fell on her knees and hugged the legs of the old woman washing them with tears” (p.234).The allusion in this context is that of Mary in the St Luke in the Bible where she chooses to anoint Jesus using her hair. In this context, the respect Resian has for the enkabaani is emphasized. Still, Resian reminds herself of what the Bible says, (p.257). Some scriptures on optimism are quoted. The Joseph in the bible alludes to the Biblical Joseph who sacrificed for Christ by offering his tomb to be used by Christ (p.277). Joseph in the novel finally sacrifices by dying for the sake of Taiyo.

CHAPTER FIVE

Sample and practice excerpts, sample excerpts.

• Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.

“No Joseph,” she said in an infantile whimper. “Ican’t bear that we can’t express the love that we have for one another because of some primitive culture. If by loving you, I offend the sensibilities of Nasila then let me offend and face the consequences of doing so!”

“I also love you very much,” Joseph Parmuat responded finally. “I loved you the moment I saw you during your father’s homecoming ceremony. But then the clan matter came to separate us. It is true we have no blood relation. But Nasila culture dictates who are related and who are not. We are slotted among those who cannot marry.”

“No, it can’t be, I cannot accept its verdict,” she said petulantly her words agonised. “No way, never!” She stopped, confused and angry with herself at her inarticulate outburst. She took several long steadying breaths and then said, “I cannot accept that a culture that does not feed,clothe or house me comes to control my life. Our lives belong to us, Joseph. The destiny of our lives is in our own hands. We should guard it jealously.”At last they drew a little a part .His eyes were open, honest and steady upon her face.

• What happens before this excerpt? (3mks)
• For both Joseph and Taiyo, give and illustrate two character traits. (4mks)
• How is dialogue significant in this excerpt? (4mks)
• Explain any two thematic concerns addressed in the excerpt. (4mks)
• From elsewhere in the novel, how does Joseph sacrifice for his love for Taiyo?(4mks)
• Explain the meaning of the following vocabulary as used in the excerpt. (4mks)
• b) infantile
• c) petulantly
• d) primitive
• What happens immediately after this extract? (2mks)
• Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow

You are mad !” Resian screamed at him. You are stark mad if you think I am your wife. I can only be your wife over my dead body. Yes, you and my father can kill me and carry my dead body to your palatial home.”

He was stunned by those harsh words. He winced as if he had been struck. Then already harsh line of his mouth tightened and he stood tense for a moment. Then he relaxed and watched her mockingly. “You can never escape Resian,” he repeated quietly, smiling. The very normality of his voice as he spoke those monstrous words was most shocking and disturbing to her. Whether you scream your heart out, or jump into the deep sea, Resian, you are mine. You are my wife from now henceforth”

“Iwant to go now.” Resian announced angrily shuddering with disgust and terror.

“You want to go?” he asked, the contemptuous quiet of his voice a menace by itself.” Go! You want to be persuaded, coaxed and pampered to marry Oloisudori Lonkiyaa? Sorry I will not do that!  If you want to go, please yourself. You may opt to go, but when you are mine, you will do as I please. No one plays games with Oloisudori. Ask your father, he will tell you.”

“Stop it! Stop it! Resian screamed excruciatingly pained by the disdainful remarks of Oloisudori. Putting her hands over her ears, she made a dash for the door. He made no effort to stop her but she flung it open and turned to glare at him with tearful eyes

You are mad! She screamed again sobbingly. “You are stark mad!  You hear me?  You are nothing but ol-ushuushi.”  She walked away and as she did so, she heard his soft laughter behind her.

• Say what happens before this excerpt. (3mks)
• How is Oloisudori portrayed in this excerpt? (4mks)
• Describe the feeling of Resian in this excerpt             (3mks)
• From other areas of the novel, state other crimes that are practiced by Oloisudori. (3mks).
• How does the writer utilize irony in this excerpt? (3mks)
• “You are my wife from now henceforth” Rewrite in the reported speech. (1mk)
• Explain the meaning of the following words (4mks)
• a) Pampered
• d) Palatial
• What happens immediately after this extract? (3mks)
• Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow.

They were silent as they climbed the hill on their way back from Nasila river to draw water.  The water containers that they carried on their backs were now heavy.  The straps that supported the containers pressed down their heads with a painful exhaustion.

As they walked, each one of them allowed her mind to fleetingly roam the fanciful land of wishful thinking.

Resian thought how wonderful it would be, had she had a chance to enroll at the Egerton University and after graduation had a chance to work with her role model, Minik ene Nkoitoi, the Emakererei at the sheep ranch that she managed.  She imagined herself already there driving a large flock of sheep.  And when she thought of sheep, her mind flew back to fifteen years or so earlier and reminisced the first time she saw a sheep.  It was a childhood memory, a memorable picture from the swirling scene around her which had been captured and preserved by her mind when she and Taiyo accompanied their father to the Nakuru Agricultural Show.  She could still see in her mind a group of big, docile, tawny woolly animals that stood panting drowsily in a green pasture, with the sun beaming down brightly from a clear blue sky.  She had then admired the white long overcoats that the handlers wore.

Taiyo also thought of Emakererei.  She would ask Joseph Parmuat, to assist her compose a song in her praise.  She had already put words to a tune she had composed to ridicule the three women who she thought collaborated with men to oppress the women folk.  They were Nasila’s three blind mice who, she thought, did not seem to know that the world was changing.  Those were the enkasakutoni, who threatened to curse intoiye nemengalana and ensured they did not get husbands nor children: the midwife Enkaitoyoni who threatened to spy on the young women as they gave birth to ensure that any who was still among intoiye-nemengalana had her status altered there and then; and the dreaded Enkamuratani, who would never tire of wielding her olmurunya menacingly.

• Place the excerpt in its immediate context.             (4Mks)
• Identify and illustrate two aspects of style in this excerpt.             (4Mks)
• Discuss two themes evident in the excerpt.             (4Mks)
• Discuss one character trait of Resian and Taiyo in the excerpt.             (4Mks)
• The straps that supported the containers pressed down their heads with a painful exhaustion. Rewrite beginning: with………………………………………….            (1Mk)
• How do Resian’s thoughts now come to be fulfilled in future? Briefly explain. (4Mks)
• Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt.             (4Mks)

(i) Reminisced

(ii) Collaborated

(iii) Dreaded

(iv) Menacingly

• Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow

“Yes, Papaai,” Resian said apprehensively .  “I am here.  Taiyo tells me you are calling me?”

“Yes, yes,” her father replied.  “Please take a seat.”

“Yes, Papaai, ” Resian repeated as she sat on a chair far away from her father.

“Come nearer…child,” her father said pleasantly.

“Why do you sit a mile away ? Come nearer.”

Resian moved her chair hardly an inch from where it was and then she looked up into her

father’s face with eager expectation.

“If I do remember well,” her father began in a low even tone, “you will be nineteen in September this year, am I right”

“You are quite right, Papaai. ” Resian answered eyeing him curiously. His face was unusually kind.  His eyes held hers as he smiled broadly.  That’s it!’ she thought triumphantly.  “That must be it!

“You and I have not discussed important issues for a long time,” he said with a friendly chuckle that was intended to bring her closer to him.  “I thought today would be the best day to break the news.  Your future is very important to me, my dear child.”

Resian thought the concern in her father’s voice, rang false.  She hesitated, but could not holdherself any more.  The anxiety was too great.

“Papaai, is it Yeiyo or Taiyo who spoke to you?” she asked sensationally, thinking she was stating the obvious.  But seeing her father’s face cloud, she added quickly.

“Who between them spoke to you about our enrolment at the Egerton University?”

“What are you talking about, child? Her father, who seemed dumbfounded, asked after a long and uncomfortable silence.

“Both Yeiyo and Taiyo promised to talk to you about it, and I thought she had.”

“What, in the name of God are you talking about, child?” he repeated, this time agitated and shaking his head vigorously.  “No, I have never spoken to anybody about any of you enrolling at the university.  Never! When I said I wanted us to discuss your future, that isn’t what I meant at all.  Of course not!” Resian looked at her father’s face enquiringly.

• What has happened before the excerpt?             (3mks)
• What is so ironical in this passage? Explain your answer referring to elsewhere in the novel.                                                                                                                                (3mks)
• “Your future is very important to me, my dear child” From elsewhere in the novel, explain why Ole Kaelo tells his daughter so.             (3Mks)
• Discuss two aspects of character in Resian in this excerpt.             (4Mks)
• What major issue is addressed in this excerpt?             (2Mks)
• Explain what happens after this excerpt.             (3Mks)
• “Who between them spoke to you about our enrolment at the Egerton university? “Rewrite in the direct speech.             (1Mk)
• A part from irony, discuss any other aspect of style evident in the excerpt.             (2Mks)
• Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions used in the excerpt. (4 Mks)

(i). Apprehensively

(ii). Sit a mile away

(iii). Hold herself

(iv). Agitated

ANSWERS TO SAMPLE EXTRACTS

Sample excerpt 1

• Taiyo visits Joseph’s bachelor house. She expresses her infatuation. Joseph feels infatuated too. She sobs uncontrollably
• Joseph is responsible. He has self-control aimed at preventing the duo from messing up.

He is patriotic. He chooses to take sides with the Nasila culture. He feels they should not break the norms

Taiyo is loving. She has strong feelings for Joseph.

Assertive. She is ready to offend sensibilities of Nasila culture for love.

Sacrificing. She is ready to risk herself for love.

• It brings out Taiyo’s interrogative nature. She skeptically questions the enslaving nature of Nasila culture. “I cannot accept culture that does not feed me.” She poses that culture should be beneficial.
• He accepts to be the contact man in the mission of rescuing Taiyo. He makes her captors drunk leading to her escape. The captors later kill him.

5.Love. Taiyo and Joseph express their views towards love. She feels it should be let to grow while he feels culture should restrain love feelings.

Culture. Their love relationship is held at ransom by culture that objects love between people of the same clan.

b)Childish/ immature

• c) Grudgingly
• Joseph says he is ready to face any eventuality that may arise out of love. Taiyo appreciates the new stance of Joseph. She sheds tears.

Sample excerpt 2

• Oloisudori informs Resian of the benefits she will get for marrying him. Resian gets very annoyed and speechless. Resian learns that her father has already received dowry for her marriage to Oloisudori. He reports to her that their fate is sealed.
• Contemptuous.“He asked, the contemptuous quiet of his voice a menace by itself.”

Proud. He feels superior and egocentric.“No one plays games with Oloisudori. Asked your father, he will tell you.”

• She is feeling disappointed and desperate of her father’s action of receiving dowry with an aim of sealing her marriage with Oloisudori. She feels really betrayed.
• Extortion, assassinations shadowy businesses, sexual immorality,robber, smuggler, poacher
• It is ironical that Oloisudori who is older than Resian’s father plans to marry Resian a young girl even after he is told her wish is to study at the university. It is also ironical that Kaelo has already picked dowry from Oloisudori and has never bothered to inform Resian of it.
• He told her that she was her wife from then henceforth.
• b) Grand/ like a palace
• c) Strong loathe
• d) Treat with excessive care
• Resian rans blindly knocking a chair and a table and disappears past Oloisudori’s driver. She goes to her father’s shop. She is raving mad with indignation. She becomes very disappointed with her father.

Sample excerpt 3

• Before the excerpt, Taiyo and Resian go to the River to fetch water. They remember their discussion with their aunt and admire Minik’s fight against women oppression by men. They muse that men must be very angry with her for snatching five hundred girls from her. After the excerpt, Taiyo sings the song she has composed about three women whom she refers as mice silently in her heart. One of those women is the enkamuratani chasing a woman with a knife.
• Flashback- Resian recalls fifteen years back when she and Taiyo accompanied their father to the Nakuru agricultural show and she saw sheep the first time.

Vivid description-The sheep are vividly described as big, docile tawny wooly animals.

Metaphors-She calls the three women who collaborated with men to oppress women as Nasila’s three blind mice.

• Theme of Determination or optimism. Resian is full of optimism that one day she would join Egerton university.

Women as their own enemies. The three Nasila women collaborated with men to oppress women.

Negative cultural practices. The three women propagate negative cultural practices against women such as F.G.M.

• Resian is visionary. She thought how wonderful it would be, had she a chance to enroll at the Egerton University. She dreams of going to university.

Taiyo-critical-she wants to compose a song ridiculing three Nasilian women who collaborated with men to oppress women.

• With a painful exhaustion, the straps that supported the containers pressed down their heads.
• Later, she is rescued from a planned marriage by Nabaru and is taken to Minik’s ranch. There, she is given a house and a job. Minik also helps in securing their admission at Egerton University. She also gives a scholarship. The novel ends when she and Taiyo are going to University.
• Recall/Recalled

Worked together

Threateningly

Sample Excerpt 4

1.Ole Kaelo sends Taiyo to call Resian for him. Resian feels hopeful and excited that she is being called to be informed about admission to the university. She thinks that it is her mother or sister who has talked to her father about the matter.

• It is ironical for Resian to think that her father is going to tell her about her dream wish of joining Egerton University but he has plans to marry her off to his friend Oloisudori. This is even as he says “your future is very important to me”
• He says this because he has plans to marry her to his friend Oloisudori. If this succeeds, his business would be saved because Oloisudori had helped him establish the business and even building his house in Nasila.
• Ignorant- she thinks that her father has good news about joining university which is not the case. She says, “That’s it!” She thought triumphantly. “Is it Yeiyo or Taiyo who spoke to you?”

Apprehensive. She replies to her father apprehensively.

Fearful- she is in fear of her father. She sits on a chair far from her father.

• Determination/optimism. Resian is very much determined to join Egerton University. She thinks it is the reason why her father has called her. “Who between them spoke to you about our enrollment at the Egerton University.”
• After the excerpt, Ole Kaelo hesitates telling Resian what he wanted to tell her and tells her to go to the kitchen. He tells her to tell her mother to come.
• She asked him who between them had spoken to him about their enrollment at the Egerton University.
• Suspense. The reader is left in suspense wanting to know why Ole Kaelo had called his daughter.

Dialogue- there is dialogue between Resian and her father. It reveals the strained relationship between daughter and father.

Nervously/worriedly/fearfully

Sit far away

Control herself

Troubled/disturbed

PRACTICE EXCERPTS

However, the notion that he was about to hand over his own daughter to a gangster continued to gnaw at the conscience of Ole Kaelo relentlessly.  He felt guilty, especially when he recalled the atrocities that were known to have been committed by Oloisudori over the years.  But another voice told him quietly that he was being foolish and unreasonable to question his own conscience over the matter of Oloisudori, for he was just one among many who were enjoying the fruits of their labour.  And it was hardly anybody’s business to know how honest that labour was.  After all, the small voice reassured him tauntingly, those who committed bigger crimes such as Goldenberg and Anglo-leasing, were still enjoying the ‘fruits of their labour.’ Had they not invested the yields of their ill-gotten money in housing estates, in shares, in import and exports in tourism, in transport and in other trades, just as Oloisudori had done?

When he went to bed later that evening, he remained awake for many hours pondering over those disturbing thoughts that went through his mind fleetingly, like water that churned violently in a turbulent sea.  He thought of Oloisudori’s impending visit and his intended marriage to Resian.  He knew the success of failure of the event would determine the fate of his business.  Even his continued ownership of that house where he and his family lived, depended on the outcomes of that event.  Should Oloisudori fail to get Resian and recall the loan he had extended to him to buy that house, he was done .  And knowing Oloisudori, he could very easily draw the rug from beneath his feet, leaving him vulnerable to all kinds of vagaries.  And the thoughts gave him anxious moments.

At dawn when sleep overtook him, Ole Kaelo had a pleasant dream.  Resian had consented to Oloisudori’s proposal.  After Oloisudori reported that to him, he was greatly pleased and relieved.  His wife was rapturous.  Although they were astonished at the turn of events, they were relieved to know that they would not have to live with the guilt of having forced their daughter to get married.  What a wise child his once hardheaded daughter had turned to be after all!  And how devious! After all those years of sullenness, awkwardness and tactlessness, she had finally brought relief to their life and ushered in a period of peace and tranquility.  But then, it was just that. A dream!

• Discuss three major issues in this excerpt.             (6Mks)
• Discuss two character traits of Ole Kaelo in this excerpt.             (4Mks)
• “And the thoughts gave him anxious moments” Add a question tag.             (1Mk)
• Discuss any three aspects of style in this excerpt.             (6Mks)
• Explain the meaning of the following expressions from the excerpt.             (4Mks)

(ii). Pondering

(iii). Impending visit

(iv). He was done.

Her dream was rudely and violently interrupted by a thunderous bang and a loud roar of laughter.  She woke up with a start, jumped up to her feet and stared at the door with wide panic-stricken eyes.  For a moment she could not figure out her surroundings and called out the name of her sister Taiyo.  She was terrified.  The door flung open and Olarinkoi staggered in.  He was stone drunk.  Resian stared at him unblinkingly as he walked towards her and she backed off terrified, squeezing herself flatly against the wall.  He followed her there and got hold of her shoulders and shook her violently glaring at her with his glittering eyes.

“You silly thing,” he thundered angrily.  “I tell you to prepare food and you refuse to do so, eh? Today you will know who is the owner of this home.  If you are still in doubt, let me tell you frankly that from today on you are my wife, hear that, eh? You are my wife.  For a long time you have been sneering at me, showing how highly educated you are.  Today we shall see how educated your body is! Yes, we shall see!’’

He got hold of her hand and began dragging her into the other room.  At first she did not understand his intention until he began unfastening her buttons with his rough trembling hands.  Then the truth came, and with it, terror and panic.  She tried to get away from him, but he held her effortlessly as he brutally continued fumbling with her dress, trying to loosen it.  She screamed as loudly as she could while she pushed him away and thrashed frantically about.  But that did not deter him and he totally ignored her screams holding her more firmly with his strong arms.  Against her loud protest, he tore her garments and began to push her towards the bed.

Then desperately she took the last chance of self defense and self-preservation.  Mustering all her strength, she thrust his thumb into her mouth; sunk her teeth into the flesh like a ferocious animal and tenaciously held onto it, tugging at it fiercely like a lioness.  She could feel the flesh tearing and she tasted the salt of his blood as it filled her mouth but she clung unto the thumb as Olarinkoi howled with pain.

• Make notes on the contents of Resian’s dream.             (4Mks)
• Discuss one character traits of Resian in this excerpt.             (2Mks)
• What has greatly changed in Olarinkoi in this excerpt compared to his earlier conduct in the novel?             (3Mks)
• Explain two major issues raised in the excerpt.             (4Mks)
• Explain what happens immediately after the excerpt.             (3Mks)
• “Today we shall see how educated your body is” Rewrite in reported speech. (1Mk)
• Explain the meaning of the following expressions in the passage.            (4 Mks)

(i). Unblinkingly

(ii). Effortlessly

(iii). Mustering

(iv). Howled

“Nothing is wrong with me,” Resian retorted furiously. And pointing at the living room, with her figure, she fiercely charged,” I have no quarrel with my father for whom, I have tremendous respect. It is the likes of Olarinkoi I am mad at, and all those other males who come here ordering us to do that or the other for them, simply because they are males. When women visit us, they give us the leeway to respond to their requests. But as we burn our fingers here Mr.Olarinkoi is dozing off comfortably in our living room waiting for his lunch and possibly a little angry and impatient with us for delaying it.’

“It is enough,” cried Yeiyo – Botorr viciously. She instantly abandoned the peeling of potatoes and threw the knife into the pail that held the peeled potatoes. Supporting herself by holding onto a nearby wall, she painfully lifted a large, heavy body. “My enkaini, I agree with you that something is wrong with our child, and I think I know what ails her. Come along with me and I will tell you what I think ails her. “I am not sick… ” Resian was saying that when she was cut short by Taiyo.”  Even if you are not sick, you cannot argue with Yeiyo Botorr,” Taiyo told her sternly as soon as they were out of earshot of their mother and Yeiyo Botorr,“there are things one has to learn on their own. One of them is that you cannot antagonize the older people by arguing with them, however, untenable their argument may be. That goes without saying, my dear little sister.”

• What happens before this extract? (3mks)
• Comment on any two stylistic devices used in the extract. (4mks)
• Explain any issue brought about in this extract. (3mks)
• What is the character of Yeiyoo Botorr from this extract? (4mks)
• From elsewhere in this text how does Olarinkoi contribute to the plot development of the novel? (3mks)
• Re-write and add a question tag. (1mks)

Nothing is wrong with me.

• Write the meaning of the following vocabulary. (4mks)
• b) Antagonize
• c) Retorted

At seven o’clock in the evening after the lights had been put on, and the traditional esuguroi drink had been served in generous measures, tongues loosened and hearts gladdened. Soon after, the party gathered momentum and voices rose. Within no time, one could hardly be heard over the hubbub of talk and laughter. And as the pleasurable and lively celebration progressed, voices became animated; hands and arms gesticulated vigorously while heads turned more often. Eyes searched out acquaintances within the throng of revelers.

And it was all pomp and gaiety as ivory adorned and bejeweled fingers fluttered; bare shoulders gleamed in the light multicoloured bead ornaments glittered upon elaborately bedecked necks: pendulous ilmiintoni of all colours dangled loosely down extended ear-lobes: and the bright colours of lesos, kangas, red shukas and multicoloured blankets, all turned the Ole Kaelo living room into a kaleidoscope of shifting light and colour.

• Place this extract in its immediate context. (4mks)
• State and explain two thematic concerns in this context.             (4mks)
• What is the significance of the use of words like esuguroi, ilmiintoni, lesos, kangas, and shukas? (3mks)
• Identify and explain two character traits of ole Kaelo.             (4mks)
• Eyes searched out acquaintances within the throng of revelers. Rewrite to form a question
• Which other party has an equal weight from the rest of the novel. What is its significance? (3mks)
• Comment on the prevalent mood in the context. (2mks)
• Explain the meaning of the following words: (4mks)
• b) Gesticulated

CHAPTER SIX

General essay questions and sample essays.

• Blossoms of the Savannah is a novel about hope that leads to victory; write a composition to illustrate on this statement.
• “In Oloisudori and Olarinkoi there is no lesser evil.” Write an essay to illustrate on this statement.
• “One has to know which side of bread is buttered.” By referring closely to the lives of Kaelo and Oloisudori show the truthfulness of this statement.
• “Kaelo digs his own grave.” Write a composition to show the truthfulness of this statement
• “Though Resian goes through the valley of death, her determination leads her to a victorious life.” Write a composition to show the validity of this assertion.
• Maa culture has not completely shed off archaic practices and traditions. Support this statement with illustrations from the novel.
• “Strong selfless friendship is the remedy to stormy times.” Using the lives of Taiyo and Resian, write a composition to illustrate truthfulness of the statement.
• Oloisudori, Kaelo, Mama Milanoi and Olarinkoi are to blame for the traumatizing life led by Resian. Write an essay in support of this argument.
• By referring to the lives of Oloisudori and Olarinkoi, show how bad deeds are paid with bad deeds.
• “ Blossoms of the savannah is a novel about women fighting for their redemption.” By referring to the lives of Minik and Nabaru support the assertion.
• “ Blossoms of the savannah is a novel about patriarchy.” Write an essay to validate this argument using the character Oloisudori and Olarinkoi.
• Optimism and ambition leads to victory support.
• “Women are their own enemies” Write an essay exemplifying this position.
• “The strong bond between Resian and Taiyo contributes significantly to their triumph.” Write an essay in support of the statement.
• The old and the young generations in Blossoms of the Savannah are in conflict. Discuss.
• Bad decisions can adversely affect our future. Write an essay in support of the statement with illustrations from the novel.
• Change is as good as rest. To what extent do you agree with the assertion as far as Blossoms of the Savannah is concerned?
• “Persistence, focus and determination is the secret behind success.” Expound on this position drawing your illustrations from the novel.
• Some cultural practices have no place in the current Nasilian society. Discuss.
• “Not all aspects of culture and traditions are bad.” Drawing your illustrations from the novel Blossoms of the Savannah, validate the assertion.
• “There is need for women to unite in their fight against harmful cultural practices” Discuss.
• “Greed for money is the source of most evils in the society.” Show how valid this statement is by getting supporting evidence from the novel Blossoms of the Savannah .
• “Our greatest enemies are those close to us.” Support this statement with illustrations from the novel.
• “Failure to take one stand on matters to do with culture can be very detrimental.” Write an essay reacting to this assertion.
• Write an essay showing why Mama Milanoi is to blame most for the ordeals her daughters go through.
• Write a composition in agreement with the assertion that harmful cultural practices against women would be history in Nasila if there were more women like Minik.
• “Women should speak and act in order to have their way in the society” Write an essay in support of the statement with illustrations from the novel.
• The rich cultural heritage of the Maa is under attack by modernity. Discuss
• Nothing is impossible to somebody with the will to succeed. Discuss
• “Resian has been wronged more by her father than the Nasilian society.” Write an argumentative essay reacting to this statement.
• Material security does not guarantee happiness.
• Gender inequality is tantamount to violation of human rights. Write an essay in support of the assertion drawing your illustrations from Blossoms of the Savannah.
• Cultural erosion is the root cause of most evil things in Nasila. Discuss.
• Help can come even when least expected. Discuss.

SAMPLE ESSAYS

Resian in the  Blossoms of the Savannah seems to experience several challenging situations in her life. In the scenarios she seems resolute in her actions as shown in the following ways

Oloisudori declares his intention of marrying her at an early age. This follows after he changes his initial plan: extorting Kaelo. He demands that she should first be circumcised so as to get rid of her state as nemengalana intoiye .  He intends to use anesthesia to make her unconscious and grab her. Resian resolves not to be married.  She tells Oloisudori point blank that she cannot be his wife. She returns the gifts that he had earlier brought and escapes to her father’s shop. Her father beats her so as to submit to the marriage, but Resian remains steady is her decision.

A number of callous youth in Nasila wish to assault Resian and Taiyo. In the first days, Resian and Taiyo take a walk around uncle Simiren compound.  All of a sudden a young man emerges from the blues and grabs Taiyo. Resian order the callous young man to release Taiyo immediately. The Young man has no option but to give in though he promises to revisit his grave decision.

Though in a dream, enkamuratani and other two women surround Resian to circumcise her holding an olmurunya . Although Resian is in a strange land and is defenseless she does her best to combat the situation. Determined, Resian twists enkamuratani’s hand with an intention of ensuring that she does not initiate other girls in the future. She knocks the old witch using a mallet as well as fights the third woman until she disappears.

Olarinkoi disappears with Resian to a far hut in the forest. He locks her up and returns very late in the night while drank. Once he returns, he is in his mission of raping her. He unzips and this gesture sets her trembling. She bites Olarinkoi’s thumb so that the pain reduces his action of rape. Owing to the fact that Resian had earlier witnessed Olarinkoi’s fiery attacks when he dealt with two callous men, it calls for a lot of determination on the part of Resian to tackle him.

In summary, from the above illustrations it is evident that Resian suffers rough challenging times in her life but she deals with all these situations with determination.

No man is an island. Human beings were created to relate mutually. The close friendship between Resian and Taiyo is the key to overcoming stormy times that present themselves in their lives as follows

In their new environment at Nasila, the girls meet unique challenges. They are not used to the communal life for all along they have stayed in an urban set up where life is individualistic. At Nasila, they have to get used to impromptu visitors and superior male counterparts. It is the love between the two girls that helps in these scenarios. The duo stay together most of the times. By so doing, they share a lot Taiyo counsels Resian on using kind language on Yeiyo Botorr her aunt. The two girls discuss about danger that lurks from the hostile youth especially because of their uncircumcised condition.

In overcoming the challenge of female genital mutilation (FGM), their friendship bond comes in handy. When Resian goes on a hunger strike she says it is only Taiyo who can change her stand. When Taiyo is informed of Resian’s condition, she does not hesitate to offer herself for Resian’s redemption even when there are risks all over. While at Nasila, they have a lot of time sharing their views towards FGM. The discussions must have strengthened their hard stands towards FGM. It is from these discussions that they vow never to give in to FGM.

In the incident when Taiyo and Resian are accosted by two callous young men their coordination and friendship save them. The incident finds them while they are walking together where they had visited Maiso for lunch. If the struggle had between two men versus one girl probably she would have been surmounted. Although most of the salvation is largely brought by Olarinkoi the fact that the two girls where together makes it easier for them to go about the ordeal. Their joint screaming and their escape unhurt is partly contributed by their togetherness.

The two birds of a feather hatch a scheme to outwit Oloisudori. They wrap the gifts he had brought them into a box and title it as a gift. They then plan how to execute the plan. They arrange on how Resian is to thank Oloisudori and give him the gift. They discuss the aim of the gesture; to clarify to Oloisudori the fact they cannot be cheated with gifts. From this co-operation, Resian manages to trick Oloisudori and tells off her father and later with Olarinkoi, they manage to leave Nasila.

It is clear from the above illustration that strong friendship bonds can help friend go about hard experiences and overcome them in their lives.

• Bad decisions can adversely affect our lives. Write an essay in support of the statement with illustrations from the novel.

The Choices we make can affect us positively or negatively. Bad choices definitely have adverse effects on our future. A character like Ole Kaelo makes several bad choices which not only affect his life but also his daughters.

Ole Kaelo is advised by his friend what kind of man Oloisudori is. He is told that he is not a man of integrity and warns him about doing business with him. He even warns him to keep his daughters from him. Oloisudori is unheeding to this warning. He goes on to sign business contracts and receiving a loan from him. Later, this man causes him great worry when he threatens to bring his business down if he does not give him his daughter in marriage.

Ole Kaelo makes the bad choice of agreeing to give his daughter Resian in marriage to Oloisudori. He does this to save his business empire and to acquire more wealth as dowry from him. This unleashes a myriad of problems in his family. He keeps assuring himself that his choice of Oloisudori is good and that the man is not all bad but inwardly, he has reservations about such a marriage. His decision worsens the already poor relationship between him and his daughter, who ran away and gets into more trouble with Olarinkoi. Taiyo also has her life ruined by being forcefully circumcised before being forced to marry Oloisudori. Finally, he loses his daughters trust and his fate is unknown because Oloisudori might come for him in person.

Olarinkoi is not known by the Kaelos yet nobody asks questions about him. He seems a mystery and with time becomes like a member of the family. This earns him trust among the Kaelos to the point that Resian trusts him to take her to Minik’s ranch. This man who the family trusted so much turns into a beast by raping Resian and even planning to circumcise her by force before marrying her. If the Kaelo’s had not trusted the stranger, Resian suffering in his hands would have been avoided.

Mama Milanoi makes a bad choice of giving over her daughter Taiyo to three strange women cheating her that she was being taken to her sister. Her plans is to have Taiyo circumcised before being married by Oloisudori. This action makes her lose the trust her daughters had for her. The wound she has caused them will definitely take time to heal. They too are angry with her that they vow that they would not want to be like her in marriage.

Bad decisions made knowingly or unknowingly will definitely have negative impact in our lives or on those that are dear to us.

Today’s position on the male and female gender is that men and women are equal and none of the gender should dominate over the other. In Blossoms of the Savannah , women are culturally forced to be subservient to men, a practice that denies them some fundamental rights as human beings.

A wife has the right to state his position on any matter even if it is contrary to the husband’s position. This is not the case with Mama Milanoi, wife to Ole Kaelo. She admits that she did not know which man her husband was doing business with and even if she did, she would not do anything about it for he was the one who carried the family’s vision. She thus leaves every aspect of decision making to him whether those decisions are good or bad.

A woman is a being to be loved and not to love back. Although Ole Kaelo genuinely loved Mama Milanoi when he saw her first, her feelings on him are immaterial. Women were not expected to resist a man’s advances according to Nasilian culture. This is a great violation of her right to love or hate. In her case there is no room for that. It is also expected that Resian should give in to Oloisudori’s plans to marry her. Refusal is regarded as stubbornness. In fact, Oloisudori claims that none of his wives put any resistance in his interest in them. This means that their feelings for him did not matter a great violation of their freedom to choose their marriage partner.

Resian and Taiyo are forced to undergo cultural coaching by Joseph Parmuat. Resian rebels this citing inequality in the plan. She opines that if they were boys, such a thing would not be done on them. Instead, they would be freely roaming Nasila with nobody bothering them. In their case, there is no such option simply because they are girls. Their right to choose what to and not to learn is violated. Girls are taught how to cook for their men but there are no lessons for boys on how to please women. Resian opposes such arrangements saying she would not be taught to solely please men. She claims that even boys should be taught how to please women.

Gender inequality in this society elevates man over the woman to the extent that Resian says that it made men assume that they had right over the body of any woman. This has reduced women to be objects of sex to be exploited by men at will. This practice started with the Ilarinkon warriors who sexually exploited women after arousing their desires. Taiyo and Resian undergo several rape attempts with Resian ending up being raped by Olarinkoi who assumes he has every right over her body. These inequalities have greatly undermined women’s right to privacy and to choose whom to have sexual relation with.

Gender inequality does not just stop at that. Instead, it is a major cause of violation of basic human rights that all should be accorded a chance to enjoy. Women in the novel have most of their rights curtailed as a result of gender imbalance between men and women.

• Help can come when least expected. Discuss.

Most people reach the end of the tether in difficult situations and are just about to give up when help comes. Most instances of help appear coincidental but nonetheless; they change the course of life of the character as well as shaping the rest of the novel.

Olarinkoi seems to be at the right place at the right time. He happens to be the savior of Resian and Taiyo when they need help most. He comes to the rescue of the two girls when they are coming from their father’s shop and are about to be raped by two men. Olarinkoi single-handedly saves the girls by fighting the men. Resian and Taiyo are much grateful and would not want to imagine what would have happened if he had not come at that time, even fearing that they would have been infected with HIV.

Olarinkoi again comes to the rescue of Resian when she discovers her father’sbetrayal by planning to marry her off to Oloisudori. He comes to her rescue when she is even contemplating committing suicide by drowning herself into the river. At the same time, Oloisudori and his men are looking for her to abduct her. Olarinkoi promises to take her to Minik whom she had been yearning to meet someday. Although the help turns disastrous with Olarinkoi turning against her, she is able to escape the current wrath of Oloisudori.

Taiyo is rescued from the hands of her circumcisers by Minik’s men. Minik’s rescue team use tricks to rescue her from the well-guarded home which she would not have escaped in her sickly state.  Were it not for Minik’s intervention, Taiyo would surely have been forcefully married off to Oloisudori after healing. The rescue gives Taiyo a new lease of life, reunion with her sister and of course quicker physical and emotional recovery.

Minik’s help to Resian and Taiyo perhaps is the most important event that completely changes their lives. She gives refugee to the girls in her ranch hence protecting them from marauding men like Oloisudori and Olarinkoi. She gives Resian a job in the ranch hence giving her something to live on and promises her a scholarship from the ranch. Most importantly, she is able to have the two girls enrolled at Egerton University, their dream university. These kind gestures create a happy ending in a novel that has been dominated by sad events.

When people are about to despair, that is usually the point when help comes. No matter how belated characters like Resian and Taiyo get help, their lives are greatly impacted and changed by those interventions.

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Determination Leads to Victory: Blossoms of the Savannah Essay

Table of Contents

The Power of Determination in “Blossoms of the Savannah”

Introduction:.

The novel “ Blossoms of the Savannah ” by Henry Ole Kulet portrays the arduous journey of two sisters, Taiyo and Resian, as they navigate the challenges posed by their cultural traditions and the rapidly changing world around them. One of the prominent themes in the novel is the power of determination, which propels the characters toward victory and personal growth. This essay will explore how determination serves as a driving force for the characters’ triumph over adversity, the pursuit of education, and the preservation of their cultural identity.

Body paragraph 1:

Triumph over Adversity One of the earliest demonstrations of determination can be seen in Taiyo and Resian’s resilience in the face of adversity. Despite facing cultural constraints and opposition from their father, the sisters remain steadfast in their pursuit of academic success. They constantly strive to overcome obstacles, such as limited access to education for girls in their community, and prove their intellectual capabilities. This determination ultimately leads them to succeed academically and break societal barriers.

Body paragraph 2:

The pursuit of Education plays a pivotal role in the lives of Taiyo and Resian, and their unwavering determination to acquire knowledge sets them on a path toward victory. Despite the societal expectations that limit educational opportunities for girls, the characters defy norms by consistently seeking and seizing educational opportunities. Their determination to learn not only enables them to gain knowledge but also empowers them to challenge existing systems of inequality and advocate for change.

Body paragraph 3:

Preservation of Cultural Identity While Taiyo and Resian embrace the benefits of education and modernization, they also strive to preserve their cultural identity. They navigate the complexities of balancing tradition and modernity with an unwavering determination to uphold their Maasai heritage. Their determination to preserve their cultural identity is evident through their resistance to harmful practices and their efforts to carve out spaces for cultural expression and celebration in the face of societal pressures to conform.

Conclusion:

The novel “Blossoms of the Savannah” highlights the significance of determination as a catalyst for personal growth and triumph. Taiyo and Resian’s unwavering determination empowers them to overcome adversity, pursue education, and preserve their cultural identity. Their journeys serve as a reminder that determination, when coupled with resilience and perseverance, can lead to victory in the face of external challenges.

The characters’ experiences demonstrate the profound impact determination can have on shaping one’s destiny and paving the way for a brighter future. Please note that this is just a sample essay outline, and you can further develop and expand each paragraph with specific examples and analysis from the novel to make your essay more comprehensive and engaging. Make sure to include proper citations and quotes from the text to support your arguments. Good luck with your essay!

Essay on Blossoms of the Savannah

KCSE Essays on Blossoms of the Savannah

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KCSE SET BOOKS ESSAY QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

Enjoy free KCSE revision materials on imaginative compositions, essay questions and answers and comprehensive analysis (episodic approach) of the set books including Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, The Samaritan by John Lara, A Silent Song by Godwin Siundu, An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro and Parliament of Owls by Adipo Sidang'. This blog is useful to Kenyan students preparing for KCSE; and their teachers.

Wednesday 16 October 2019

Blossoms of the savannah essay questions and answers for kcse candidates [pdf], blossoms of the savannah kcse essay questions and answers.

     Here are some KCSE essays based on   Blossoms of the Savannah. This article features essay questions and answers from Blossoms of the Savannah .        Before you have a look at them, jog you memory  of the events in the novel with these   Blossoms of the Savannah   study questions .

BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH  ESSAY QUESTION 

BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH  ESSAY QUESTION

Some cultural practices are oppressive to women. Some women resist and liberate themselves against such practices. Using Minik ene Nkoitoi in HR Ole Kulet's Blossoms of the Savannah , write an essay to qualify this assertion.

Some intransigent residents of Nasila use cultural practices such as FGM and forced marriage to brutalize women. Minik ene Nkoitoi puts up a valiant fight against such unjust edicts of culture and manages to emancipate girls and women who were shackled by the cruel practices. She rescues over 500 girls among them Taiyo and Resian.

Minik ene Nkoitoi is a fierce crusader against FGM, a cultural practice used to oppress women and her efforts help to save many girls from the brutal cultural practice. Uncircumcised girls are referred to contemptuously as ‘intoiye nemengalana’. Mama Milanoi remembers women who were apt to ask intrusive questions about FGM while they still lived in Nakuru (p8). This community cherishes girl-child circumcision (p18). A vagabond armed with the knobkerry accosts Taiyo and Resian. He refers to them as ‘intoiye nemengalana’ from Nakuru. He grabs Taiyo's arm and declares that there is no position for women of their ilk in their society. This pointless harsh treatment is fueled by FGM (p21). Minik ene Nkoitoi puts up a spirited fight against such draconian practices. She  bravely confronts Ole Supeyo and persuades him not to circumcise his daughters. When she insists on having her way, Ole Supeyo angrily and forcefully ejects her threatening to clobber her.  All his daughters are circumcised. According to him, FGM was not only an honoured rite of passage but also an important practice ostensibly used to tame the wild gender. He opines that in order to keep two women in one homestead, one has to make them docile through FGM (p33). According to Resian, today’s men are no different from the despotic ‘Ilarinkon’ tyrants who pushed women to birth FGM. They are not only despotic but also oppressive tyrants who use FGM as a tool to oppress and put women down (p103). This claim is authenticated when two vagabonds assault and attempt to rape them simply because they are uncircumcised (p140-142). The chauvinistic vagabonds do not respect women just like most of the tyrannical men in Nasila. The thought strengthens Resian's resolve of teaming up with ‘Emakererei’ (p143). Ole Musanka urges Taiyo and Resian to ignore crusaders of an alien culture. He calls Minik ene Nkoitoi a wasp and curses her, “Taba! May she go down with the setting sun.” (p53). Like in the story of the hapless legendary Ole Nkipida, Mama Milanoi is in a dilemma: to force the girls to undergo the rituals, and lose their faith, love and confidence or refuse to yield to the tradition and become a pariah in the clan and society (p60). It is only Minik ene Nkoitoi who criticises and campaigns  vigorously against FGM which she says abuses the rights of the girl child.  She is regarded  as the devil incarnate and she earns herself the moniker ‘entagoroi’ (p61-62). Resian and Taiyo admire her gallant fight against the oppressive edicts of Nasila culture. She manages to rescue 500 girls from the jaws of FGM (p152). She sets up a rescue center to accommodate the young girls that have been rescued.  She also manages to rescue Taiyo When she sends her rescue team to free her from her captors in Esoit. After Resian escapes from forced marriage and FGM in Inkiito, Minik gives her accommodation, a job and offers her a scholarship to join Egerton University. She further convinces ‘entasat’ Nabaru to shun FGM and preach against it (p262-263). Minik ene Nkoitoi is a true epitome of a gallant woman that fights to liberate girls and women from the tentacles of female genital mutilation.

Secondly, Minik ene Nkoitoi fights against discrimination in education and strives and succeeds to give girls an opportunity to get an education. There is discrimination in education in Nasila. For instance, Ole Supeyo has sent all his sons to school and two of them have reached university level. On the other hand, all his daughters are circumcised and married off to prominent elders (p21). Resian is determined to join Egerton University to read everything that is there to be read (p54). She knows that  through education she can escape the jaws of outdated and archaic traditions like FGM and forced marriage. She wants Taiyo to persuade their father to allow them to return to Nakuru and pursue higher education at Egerton University (p33). She is angry at her sister for she does not seem enthusiastic enough in that regard (p58). Resian is against the idea of a clan brother teaching them the ‘abcd’ of a good Nasilian woman for the purpose of pleasing their future husbands. She believes formal education can be universally beneficial to all, unlike cultural norms that apply only to a small group of adherents (p73). Parents in Nasila are worried that formal education may have adverse effects on the Maa culture (p150). Ole Kaelo refuses to send Resian to university. He insists that she has had enough formal education. He calls her stupid and myopic for choosing education instead of marriage. He tells her that she is lucky concerning the prospect of being married by Oloisudori, a wealthy businessman  (P207-208). Minik ene Nkoitoi went to primary school with Resian's aunt Yeiyo Kiti. She further joined Makerere University to study veterinary science. She has rescued 500 girls who had refused to undergo FGM. There are many more she plans to rescue and take back to school. She promises to see to it that Resian and Taiyo enroll at Egerton University as they had wanted (p264). Resian is overcome with joyful emotions as she exclaims: “Your voice dear Emakererei is truly the voice of God.” Minik ene Nkoitoi’s ranch operates a scholarship that benefits young talented girls who excelled in exams but lacked school fees to continue with their studies. She also plans to employ Resian and give her a house. She secures admission for the two girls and they’re supposed to report on 5 th September (P280). Minik ene Nkoitoi manages to fight against discrimination in education and give Maa girls an opportunity to further their education.

Minik ene Nkoitoi also fights against the harsh and authoritarian culture of forced marriage. In Nasila, it is a norm for young girls to be married off forcefully to older men. Ole Supeyo  has circumcised all his daughters and married them off to prominent elders (P21). Women like Mama Milanoi are married off by their parents. Her parents were determined to find a well -to-do son-in-law. She is eventually betrothed after prolonged negotiations. She gets married to Ole Kaelo at the age of eighteen without any resistance since tradition does not allow a woman to offer any (p28-29). In Nasila, some women visit Ole Kaelo's home to ascertain whether his daughters are marriageable. They are on a mission to find wives for their sons (p36). Ole Kaelo instructs Joseph to teach Taiyo and Resian about some revered cultural values in preparation for marriage (p70). Resian does not warm up to the idea of such teachings and she considers them chauvinistic. She spends her time buried in books (p73). While acknowledging Yeiyo Bottor's compliment about Resian and Taiyo's industry, Mama Milanoi remarks that both she and Ole Kaelo are diligent workers and so are their daughters. She does not therefore expect them to be accused of laziness or their husbands to complain that they can’t prepare delicious meals. Resian is against the idea of being taught solely to please male counterparts some of whom are a bunch of lazy busy bodies (p76-77). Oloisudori pans to marry off Resian without her consent. Whatever happened Resian was to be married to Oloisudori. If all fails, Oloisudori's men are to pounce on her and abduct her (p191). Her mother helplessly feels sorry for her for she is to be ensnared in a web like a spider does a fly (p192). Ole Kaelo is bedazzled by opulence. Resian is shocked to learn that her own father has the audacity to sell her off to Oloisudori. She wonders if there is a curse for being born a woman (p205).   Olarinkoi abducts and takes her to his home in Inkiito. This is after he deceives her that he wants to take her to Ntare Naaju ranch to meet Minik ene Nkoitoi. Together with his mother, he planned to have her circumcised and married to him forcibly. They make all these plans in her absence (p229) in Inkiito. Resian is rescued from Olarinkoi's enslavement and taken to Ntare Naaju by Nabaru. Minik ene Nkoitoi has rescued 500 girls. She rescues Resian and Taiyo. When Oloisudori tries to confront her and take Resian away from her using force claiming he had paid dowry enough for both girls. About 400 loyal workers descend upon his convoy and reduce the vehicles to smoldering shells and acrid smell of burning tires. Oloisudori and his men are forced to scamper for safety after receiving a thorough clobbering (p253-250). Minik ene Nkoitoi manages to liberate Nasila girls from forced marriage.

Lastly, Minik ene Nkoitoi manages to fight against chauvinism in Nasila and to extricate the girls from the unjust male prejudice against women. Chauvinism is rife in the largely patriarchal Nasilian society. Women are expected to be submissive to their male counterparts. However much as Mama Milanoi did not like some of Ole Kaelo’s decisions, she could never resist because she holds a subordinate position.  He treats her like a half-witted child. Mama Milanoi also has a childlike dependence on him pay (p29). She suffers in silence and this spells anguish for her daughters Taiyo and Resian. They are disdained and taunted  for being uncircumcised. Some men even bully and harass women whom they call intoiye nemengalana (p19, 46). In the Nasilian society, women have no say. Mama Milanoi is torn between the love for her daughters and her dutiful role over faithful and obedient wife. Her only hope in the fight against chauvinistic practices such as FGM and forced marriage is Minik ene Nkoitoi. In Nasila, she is referred to as entagoroi for criticizing and campaigning against the harmful norms. She was fighting to find relevance in an unyielding patriarchal society with little success  (p61-62). Resian is dismayed by the idea of being taught cultural lessons by a clan brother, something that would not have happened had they been sans (p73). In Nasila, male children are preferred as opposed to females. Ole Kaelo had prayed for a healthy baby boy to carry the name to the next generation. He is utterly disappointed when his second child turns out to be a girl. He detests her. Even the clan elders regard him as a mono eyed giant with legs of straw. Men in Nasila have the latitude of ordering women around simply because they are male (p77). Men in Nasila are tyrannical and they do not respect women. They think they have a right to every woman’s body (p143).  Girls who are unassertive and respectful are considered a paragon of virtue and a true model of Maa decorum (p178). Resian feels it’s disadvantage as being a woman in the society (p73). When her father tries to marry her off forcibly, she feels there is a curse for being born a woman that takes away once right to their own body and mind (p205). Although the culture is oppressive against women, some women have risen above the suffocating cultural norms and succeeded in their quest. Minik ene Nkoitoi manages to pursue education and become a vet. She manages a large ranch and has Rescued over 500 girls. She is revealed and respected and even men like hold her in awe she has employed over 400 workers at her ranch. She is courageous she firmly opposes what she considers wrong.  Many women would not dare go against the grain but Minik ene Nkoitoi cares less if she rubs the men of culture the wrong way. Minik triumphs in her fight for emancipation against the authoritarian culture of male chauvinism.

Strong women retaliate against unjust cultural practices and emerge victorious.

Women suffer in male-dominated societies. Write an essay to validate the truth in this assertion basing your illustrations on Blossoms of the Savannah.

In most societies, men hold primary power and influence. Blossoms of the Savannah highlights the problems women suffer in a male-dominated society. Resian, Taiyo, Mama Milanoi and Minik ene Nkoitoi suffer a myriad of problems in Nasila.

Resian suffers for simply being born a girl. Ole Kaelo is infuriated when his second born child turns out to be a girl. He had prayed for a boy and wanted at least three boys.  The society values boys more than girls. A boy would carry the Kaelo's name to the next generation Ole Kaelo offers Resian as a sacrificial lamb when Oloisudori comes looking for a wife. As much as she knows her father hates her, she is shocked that he has the temerity to sell her to a man she hates with a passion. Resian is always sad and aloof owing to her father's mistreatment. Resian feels betrayed by her father and at one point considers committing suicide. She is forced to run away from home with the help of Olarinkoi. Surely, women in male-dominated societies suffer a great deal.

Men in Nasila use FGM to oppress women. Women are considered a wild gender that has to be tamed through FGM. Girls who undergo FGM suffer physical and psychological pain. Uncircumcised girls are mocked, derided and contemptuously referred to as intoiye nemengalana. Circumcised girls are considered decent and accorded respect. The subject of FGM makes Taiyo and Resian feel squeamish, hopeless and downcast. Resian feels that FGM is useless today and is only used by men to oppress women. Taiyo is duped and taken to Esoit village, 5 kilometers away from Nasila, where she is forcibly circumcised. She is dragged out of a hut, splashed with 20 litres of cold water, wrestled to the ground and circumcised. The excruciating procedure is carried out using a bladelike tool known as olmurunya. She faints and only regains consciousness two days later. She even imagines she had died! Even after being rescued, she suffers bouts of sickness, restlessness, weakness and pain. This all happened in order for her to be married off to Oloisudori since men in Nasila do not marry intoiye nemengalana.

In male-dominated societies, women suffer forced early marriages. When Resian learns that she has to marry Oloisudori, she is thrown into a sea of agony. Forced marriage is rampant in Nasila. Oloisudori and Olarinkoi try to marry Resian forcefully. Resian's dream is to join Egerton University. Her father, however, plans to marry her off to Oloisudori against her will. He makes all these plans behind Resian's back. He receives cash and gifts from Oloisudori knowing too well that Resian only values university education. Oloisudori even considers rendering Resian unconscious should she decline his proposal. At Inkiito, Resian realizes that many girls are married to old men. One girl is eighteen and her husband is about seventy five. Such girls live in squalor conditions. To avoid marrying Oloisudori, Resian runs away from home. She endures an agonising 3-week stay at Inkiito battling hostile hosts, mosquitoes, hunger and physical injury. Surely, she suffers a lot when her father tries to marry her off without her consent.

In Nasila, Resian and Taiyo suffer sexual exploitation since they are not circumcised. They are mocked and chided by strangers. Two vagabonds attempt to molest them. Like most men in Nasila, Ntara and Lante do not respect women. When they first meet, Oloisudori harasses Resian despite her being too young for him. She describes him as an ill-mannered devil. At Inkiito, Olarinkoi unsuccessfully tries to rape Resian. He comes home drunk as a skunk and demands for food from her. He then tries to molest her. She fights back fiercely and bites his thumb. Olarinkoi then assaults her viciously rendering her unconscious. For a couple of weeks that follow, Resian endures pain from the attack. Resian and Taiyo undergo physical and emotional anguish in the hands of men who abuse their privacy.

Women in Nasila suffer because they are voiceless. Mama Milanoi is voiceless when her husband plans to marry off Resian to Oloisudori. She cannot even dissuade him from circumcising their daughters. In Nasila, it is men who make decisions. Mama Milanoi suffers sleepless nights pondering in pain owing to the excruciating experience awaiting her daughters yet she remains voiceless. Mama Milanoi is in a dilemma because she is torn between being a dutiful Maa wife and being a protective mother to Taiyo and Resian. As a subservient Maa wife, she has little choice but to submit to her husband and Nasila cultural dictates. She is baffled that an old man like Oloisudori could marry Resian, something that was unheard off during her childhood days. She visits and talks to other women like Yeiyo bottor in an attempt to avert the marriage. The thoughts of early marriage and circumcision take her through mental torture yet the male-dominated society gags her and renders her voiceless. She suffers in silence.

Minik ene Nkoitoi is treated contemptuously by men in Nasila. Men like Simiren and Ole Musanka hate her passionately. She is referred to as entagoroi, a derogatory name for a sharp-tongued woman. When she tries to stop Simiren from circumcising her daughters and marrying them off to old men, he chases her away and almost assaults her physically. Ole Musanka curses her that “she may go down with the setting sun”. Even women in Nasila call her a witch. Minik ene Nkoitoi suffers mistreatment and alienation in Nasila simply because she fights archaic practices like early marriages and FGM, which are perpetuated and fueled by men, with a view of oppressing women.

In summary, it is clear that women suffer in male dominated societies.

Betrayal causes pain and strain in the family. Using illustrations from Henry Ole Kulet's Blossoms of the Savannah , write an essay to validate this statement. 

Good families are built on trust and love. When we fail or desert our family members, we cause them untold grief. In Blossoms of the Savannah, Taiyo and Resian suffer when their parents betray them.

Ole Kaelo betrays his daughter Resian when he irrationally mistreats her for no apparent reason, causing her untold grief. He fails his daughter because he detests her right from birth. He feels cheated by nature since he had prayed for at least three boys but as fate would have it ends up with two girls. Ole Kaelo loves his first daughter Taiyo but hates her younger sister Resian. He was utterly disappointed when she turned out to be a girl when he prayed for a healthy baby boy to carry the Kaelo’s name to the next generation. He is angered by her body size and intends to dispose of her as soon as possible. Resian feels betrayed since her father intimidates her and her mother fails to protect her from the provocations. Her only reprieve is Taiyo, who gives her a shoulder to cry on. The girls enjoy their father's absence more than his company. Resian wonders why her father despises her so much but does not hate Taiyo. She ponders whether it was her fault. Her father wants her to marry a shady crook named Oloisudori by force.  She argues that if her father respected her, he would have listened when she said she disliked Oloisudori. Resian knows that her father hates her but is shocked that he could go as far as selling her. This betrayal causes Resian misery since she was a child and she grows up to be sullen, bewildered and resentful. She even thinks there is a curse for being born a woman. Her nature is darkened with melancholy. The frequent tongue lashing and harshly impatient nature from her father towards her contribute to her tempestuous disposition. She is haunted by nagging complaints and never ending unhappiness. Sometimes she sits alone in the biting cold brooding over her father's inexplicable hateful nature. Her sadness is compounded by the fact that he intends to forcefully marry her off to a monster she hates, in order for his business venture to thrive. The pain pushes her to edge until she contemplates drowning herself in Nasila River in pursuit of peace. Surely, when a father hates his own daughter this, much the result, needless to say, is untold suffering.  (Pgs. 9-10, 34, 172-173, 205, 210)

Mama Milanoi betrays both Resian and Taiyo when she chooses to remain indifferent and aloof to her own daughters causing them pain. At first, she has a strange premonition since her daughters are uncircumcised yet the culture demands otherwise. She is thrown into a conundrum of either forcing the girls to undergo FGM and losing their faith, love and confidence, or refusing to yield to tradition at the risk of being labelled a pariah. Instead of fighting to protect her daughters when their father plans to circumcise them, she subserviently bows to pressure and foolishly asserts that culture is everything and it rules their lives. Now that FGM had reared its ugly head, she knows that it was going to wreak havoc in the innocent girls’ young lives. She also knows that her daughters do not expect their own parents to subject them to the excruciating pain and turmoil of FGM. It would be mental torture for them. However, she remains aloof and selfish simply to protect her position as a dutiful Maa wife. She concurs with Yeiyo Bottor that Resian has olkuenyi which can be cured through FGM. She knows that FGM would terribly hurt the girls but she fails to protect them. She kept lying to the girls and reassuring them that nothing sinister was in the offing as they prepared to circumcise them. She laughs with her husband and Oloisudori as they discuss Resian's fate but a feeling of betrayal lingers in her heart. Mama Milanoi fails Resian and Taiyo since she abandons them at the time of need. Taiyo and Resian are angry at their mother and term her as an example of a wife they never wanted to be. She had been held captive by her husband and could not express her own opinion unlike Nabaru and Minik ene Nkoitoi. Resian is forced to run away from home through a harrowing journey but Taiyo pays the ultimate price when she undergoes the excruciating pain of FGM. Surely, when a mother fails to protect her daughters, they suffer. (Pgs. 17, 34, 60-62, 63, 78, 147, 192, 276)

Mama Milanoi tricks her daughter Taiyo into circumcision causing her pain and regret. She calls Taiyo to greet three women visitors from a village called Esoit. They say Resian had sought refuge there after running away from home. They need Taiyo to accompany them since Resian was on a hunger strike and had not eaten anything for three days. They claim they pitied Resian and claim she had mentioned Taiyo who could persuade her to eat and save her life. Since Taiyo is caring and knows Resian depends on her for protection, she buys the story. She is happy since her mother assures her that their father had vowed never to marry them by force to any man. This is the height of deceit and betrayal from a mother. At Esoit, there is no sign of Resian. Taiyo is abandoned in a dingy hut and at dawn she is dragged out, drenched with 20 litres of cold water, wrestled to the ground and forcibly circumcised. Her screams of terror and pain fall on deaf ears. She faints and only gains consciousness two days later, feeling sore, bitter and angry. She even imagines she had died. She is later rescued by Minik ene Nkoitoi but still suffers bouts of pain, intensely painful headaches and  weakness. It is difficult to come to terms with the forcible circumcision. Taiyo and Resian blame their father for wanting to please Oloisudori at the detriment of his own daughters. Their mother does not escape their ire. They think she is the embodiment of a bad wife and mother. When a parent betrays their child, they cause the child grief. (Pgs. 272, 274, 275, 276-277)

Ole Kaelo betrays Resian when he agrees to marry her off against her will to a wanton criminal - Oloisudori, causing her untold misery. Oloisudori is a rich man who helps Ole Kaelo by financing his business in Nasila and assists him in acquiring government contracts to supply agricultural inputs. He then demands to marry Resian. Ole Kaelo had been retrenched from his job at Agribix limited in Nakuru and had decided to relocate to his native Nasila to venture into business.  Ole Kaelo's mentor Soin Ole Supeyo warns him that Oloisudori was a corrupt criminal, a hyena and a randy he-goat. He cautions him to keep the amorous man away from daughters. He does not heed the warning. Ole Kaelo knows that it is his duty to protect and educate his daughters and it pains him to hand them over to a man they don’t love. He foresees them crying forlornly and questioning the sincerity of his love and the reason for his betrayal. However, he still chooses to betray and sacrifice Resian. He accepts cash and other gifts from Oloisudori. He vows that Resian has to be married by Oloisudori and is party to an evil scheme to abduct her in the event that she resisted. While Mama Milanoi feels they were betraying Resian, Ole Kaelo feels happy and satisfied especially after visiting her potential husband’s palatial homes. As they drive past Egerton University, he feels Resian was foolish for choosing education over marriage to a wealthy man. Resian was speechless when it dawned on her that her father had sold her to Oloisudori. She feels it was a curse being born a woman in Nasila. She knew he disliked her but never thought her own father could sell her. She cries in anger and outrage and accuses him of betrayal and hatred. She says it was better to die than marry her father's monstrous friend. He even slaps her with the view of intimidating her into bowing to pressure of his demands. Resian leaves his office and heads to Nasila River where she contemplates suicide. She instead chooses to flee from home with the help of Olarinkoi and embarks on a harrowing, daunting journey to Ntare Naaju not knowing what awaited her. Resian surely suffers in the wake of her father's betrayal.  (Pgs. 26, 108, 111-112, 178, 185, 191-193, 204, 205, 208, 209, 210)

Ole Kaelo betrays his daughter Taiyo when he fails to support her musical aspirations. Taiyo loses trust in her father when he denies her permission to attend an extravaganza organised by an FM radio station.  Taiyo loves music. She has excelled in music festivals and been awarded many times. Broadcasting stations noticed her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Even her parents applauded her on many occasions so she did not expect them to have any objection if she pursued the desire of her heart as a future occupation. An FM station offered her a chance to attend a music extravaganza in Mombasa and attend a short course later. Her father refuses to grant her permission, claiming rather absurdly that performing for money was akin to harlotry. It is evident that Taiyo loves music. It was in her blood. She thoroughly enjoys the children’s performance in Nasila. When her father denies her permission, it leaves a wound in her heart. She stubbornly tries to convince him but loses the fight. This betrayal leaves her seething in rage. (1-2, 44-45)

Lastly, Ole Kaelo betrays his daughter Resian when he refuses to send her to university. Resian is determined to join Egerton University. When they are about to relocate to Nasila from Nakuru, she tells Taiyo that she does not want to work at their father's shop. She wanted to join Egerton University to study veterinary medicine and be called Dr. Resian Kaelo. She requests her sister Taiyo to persuade him to allow them to return to Nakuru and enroll at the university in order to avoid being subjected to outdated traditions. She is not interested in Parmuat's cultural lessons. She only wants formal education which is universally beneficial to all. Her only hope was placed on Taiyo speaking to their father as their mother proved to be either impuissant or unwilling. She, however, chooses to remain optimistic envisioning herself in Egerton University donning academic regalia. She rejects Oloisudori’s gifts and hands them back since her only ambition is to pursue university education. Her father refuses to allow her to join university. He intends to marry her off to Oloisudori, a man Resian deems a monster. She refers to him contemptuously as ol-ushuushi – a reckless person and olbitirr - a warthog. Resian assertively declares that even if she was over eighty years old she would still join university. It is painful for her to struggle, run away from home, suffer in Inkiito in the hands of a callous brute – Olarinkoi, before she finally joins university, courtesy of total strangers Nabaru and Minik.  She finds solace in the distant lands of Ntare Naaju when her own parents betray and hurt her. (Pgs. 4, 18, 33, 58, 73, 89, 196, 207, 210)

In brief, when family members fail or desert us, we suffer immense pain or hardship. 

Write a composition to show how education brings positive change in society using illustrations from Henry Ole Kulet's  Blossoms of the Savannah. 

An individual who is persevering and optimistic usually emerges triumphant. Referring closely to H.R. Ole Kulet's  Blossoms of the Savannah , write an essay in support of this statement.  

Misunderstanding crops up whenever a family fails to share opinions and values. Basing your illustrations on Ole Kaelo's family, show the validity of this statement.  

NEXT :  Themes in Blossoms of the Savannah 

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Let's  learn how to write  imaginative compositions that earn 19-20 

210 comments:

Want to answer a question from blossoms of the Savannah

Thanks for the feedback.

please help with this question ;what doesbthe title blossoms of the savannah refer to?basing your argument on H.Ole Kulet's Blossoms of the Savanna.thanks in advance.

Talk about how Taiyo and Resian (Flowers/Vulnerable Girls)blossom in Nasila/Savannah-A difficult environment for flowers/women. Give the challenges and the victory.

How can i download the essays

how are the women their own enemies

Determination is key to success discuss it best on resian

Kindly assist with this question One has to know which side of bread is buttered by referring closely to the lives of oloisudori and ole kaelo show the truthfulness of this statement

resian is determined to fight the nasila culture so as to go to the university

How can I download essay s?

Please help me with these two essays Where there is a will there is a way Ole kaelo digs his own grave

cultural erosion is the rot course of most evil things in nasila..discuss

Thanks for the feedback. Let's hear some of your responses on the same please.

What is the answer to this

Blood is not always thicker than water. Please help me guys😩

Anon 2 it is literally among the first essays above

Yeah but the question says support not negate as in the essay above.blood is thicker than water Drawing illustrations from the novel support the above statement

Blossoms of the Savannah is a novel about hope that leads to victorywrite a composition to illustrate this statement

Thanks for your contribution

Plz help with this question:Female assertiveness is one of the main thematic concerns.Using Resian as a point of reference,justify this statement

Thanks for your question. Exam questions focus on values. Assertive females are bound to succeed; or Female assertiveness pays off. Simply show how Resian succeeds (avoids FGM, early marriage) and goes to University due to her resoluteness.

ole kulet uses women to express assertiveness against undesirable traits in the society

Thanks for your contribution.

Resian has been wronged more by her father than the nasilian society write an essay in agreement with this statement basing your illustrations from blossoms of the savannah

The question can't be a question. my bad

always wonderful and i need your invite as well

please help:by referring to the lives of oloisudori and olarinkoi show how bad deeds are paid with bad deeds

The question is straightforward. Show how the characters suffer for their evil deeds. Thanks.

Pliz help me in English I am aform four student

plz help me with:"when the deal is too good think twice".basing ur illustration on blossoms of savannah validate

Ole kaelo accepting to have financial aid from oloisudori.. Resian accepting to be taken to ntare naaju by olarinkoi Taiyo accepting to be taken to see Resian who had gone missing by the mother and some three women Ole kaelo accepting the cash bride price of Edward Oloisudori Lonkiyaa

Discuss characters who make poor decisions after being hoodwinked or when they chase their desires for example Ole Kaelo's business deals with Oloisudori's.

Mama milanoi when she liked to taiyo that the 3 women could lead her to were her loving sister was, instead she was heading to the horrible did of circumcision.

impressed with your essays . i now have hopes for scoring an A in the essays sector, paper three

I wish you all the best.

Please help me with some points on this essay question from blossoms of the savannah which says"misunderstanding crops up whenever a family fails to share up opinion

Discuss the strained relationship between Ole Kaelo and Resian and the clash between Kaelo and her daughters e.g education vs culture. He wants them to be circumcised/married off while they want education. Consider Taiyo's extravaganza, Resian and Oloisudori, Parmuat's teaching about culture etc

Thank you we've greatly benefit ed

Very informative. Thank you.

Thanks allot

Change is as good as rest support this assertion from Henry ole Kuleta

Good stuff! Heko!

Thanks for the feedback!

Assist me plz in olarinkoi and oloisudori there is no lesser evil write an essay to illustrate stament

talk of the comparison they both had eg they are both sexually greedy, both are opportunistic and even male chauvinist etc

Good job for participants .....may God bless u all

Thank you very much sir I found your work very helpful.May God bless you

You're welcome. I'm happy to help.

In cultural practices in nasila have outlived their relevance in a first changing world.Discuss

Please help me solve this assey by referring to the lives of Oloisudori and Olarinkoi,show how bad deeds are paid with bad deeds

Show how they suffer for their bad deeds e.g Olarinkoi tries to rape Resian and is rebuked by the mother until he goes into hiding. He also fails to marry Resian.

Mr.Wafula you came to my school St.Angelas Girls' and helped me a lot so far have been following your pages and I've really improved...thank you and God bless you

Thanks for the feedback. You must be in form 3. I wish you the best.

This site together with it's well arranged essays has really helped and I must say good for the neat work. It has really gotten me to know how the essays question are always set. I am happy for getting to know this site. It has really helped me and I thank you for this

Thanks very good content

You're welcome. Thanks for the feedback.

Thank you so much

Optimism and ambition leads to victory

Enter your comment...thanks the content is actually good

Thanks for the feedback

how about''those who do not embrace change are bound to be destroyed.' '

All that glitters is not gold. Using Oloisudori and olarinkoi, write an essay to support this saying.

Help me answer this essay Ole kaelo digs his own grave write a composition to show the truthfulness of this statement

Pls help me answer this question fortune favors the bold in reference to blossom of the Savanah give illustrations

Amos Etyang' Ekapolon and Joan Akuleut Erisat from Busia Township secondary school are here thanking you for this useful great job. Bravo Mwalimu

Thank you for the feedback Etyang' and Akuleut. All the best.

"Everyone gets what he or she deserve" illustrate from the blossoms of the savannah

resian and taiyo got the education,mama milanoi loses trust of her daughters,oloisudori cars burnt

Woooow I like it

I like the way you are answering questions

Thanks for the comment

It was nice

is it possible to base your essay on only one character from the set text

Yes it is possible if the character is changing events frequently

is it okay to base your essay on only one character in the set text

Yes it is for example in 2016 on Caucasian Chalk Circle we focussed solely on Grusha, while in 2019 on The Pearl the answers revolved around Kino.

Thanks it helped me a lot...be blessed

You are welcome.

i have a question

help with this;;selfish interest can blind one to others feelings

plz answer me

Hello Mariah. For further assistance email [email protected]

How can i write for you guys and get paid

Change is inevitable in any society please answer this😩😩

Change is unavoidable and cannot be resisted or stopped e.g. Ole Kaelo moves to Nasila and the Nasila culture changes because of modernity and formal education.

I want help in this .All that glitters is not gold illustrate (blossom of the savannah) Thatk you May God bless you

Discuss the use of traditions basing your argument on the blossoms of the savannah....may you help m

One has to know which side of the bread is buttered. Referring closely to the lives of Ole Kaelo and Oloisudori.. Justify this statement.. Please help me😭

Justice is only just if tampered with mercy

Material security does not guarantee happiness.using illustration from the text Blossom of the Savannah support the validity of this statement

1. Justice is only just if tempered with mercy. 2. One has to know which side of the bread is buttered. Referring closely to the lives of Ole Kaelo and Oloisudori, discuss.

kindly help me on this;change is as good as rest to what extent do you agree to thhus assertion as far as blossoms is concerned

Hey teacher Wekati I'm a student at Butere Girls and I have hat this questions 'change is good as rest draw illustrations from BOTS' kindly help I'm going back to school and I don't know what to write😊

Hello Purity. Please contact me on [email protected].

Help me with this essay events and setbacks are sign boards on the road to success.using the book Blossoms of the Savannah explain the statement

Simply talk about characters who achieve success and link the success to challenges they endured before emerging victorious. Who succeeds? Details on the success? How did they get there? Details on the setbacks. For example, Minik and Resian.

Can i get answers to that please

Plz help to answer this question'Women empowerment is something that can best be archived by women themselves'

Talk abou the actions of Resian, Minik, Nabaru, and Taiyo in relation to empowerment and emancipation. What do they do? Do they succeed?

Very informative. Keep up sir.

You're welcome.

DO you have an app

No I don't have

I'm afraid not.

Oloisdori is adespicable character justify this statement basing your answer on the novel pls hlp

This very helpful. Thanks for the good work, I had a problem on the introduction part of the essay but after going through your piece of work, am good to go. Thanks

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment.

Can i get pdf

This is very inspiring...thank you very much ...God bless your generosity and kindness

The path to victory is thorny and slippery but there is always a way out...kindly help me with this...before I go back for the exams

Help me with this essay question : Superstitionsay sometime affect the way people live their lives

God bless you sir wekati you are so generous actually i have learnt a lot from this link

Thanks a lot for founding this site

Can u help me with this. 'it pays to stand up for your right' explain the assertion using blossoms of the savannah. I only have a point DA i can think of which is about the women who invented fgm

Very informative thank you.

'it pays to stand up for ur rights' Pls help with this one

Please let me know when English paper 1 is ready.

What roles women play in blossoms of the savannah

Parents should protect their children from harm on cultural practices.How does Ole Kaelo fail to do so?

Woow you're improving my standards in answering the questions 🥰🥰

Success is not served on a silver platter.validate this statement using Blossoms of the Savannah by HR Ole Kulet

The challenges Resian and Taiyo go through strengthens their bond. Discuss the assertion in light of Ole Kulet 's blossoms of the savannah

May you help me answer the questions that it is disadvantageous being a woman in Nasila community

Please read question 10. Thanks.

How are women considered as lesser being by men

I see the great n awesome job Mr.Wekati is doing a big clap for you,I thought I was cool at essays but you've proved me wrong. nice work sir.

Thanks for the approbation. Humbly acknowledged.

Thank,s sir your work proof help for me!🙏

Please help me get points too...'When people build a strong friendship they easily endure and overcome any obstacle that come on their way and emerge succesful'

Please help on discussing about frustrations faced by pole in contemporary times can be traced to the conduct of a few immoral individuals

Thank you sir am now some where

Help me with this essay:Optimism and ambitions lead to victory.please support this question.

kindly help me with this,2."Retrogressive cultural practices can lead to disorientation among members in the society. "Discuss this statement in the light of Ole Kulet's blossoms of the savannah. {20mks}

Kindly help"though Resian goes through the valley of death,her determination leads to a victorious life," Draw from blossom

Some times friends play an important role than relatives,,I need help

I have a qustion

[email protected]

Can l get the notes

Very interesting

How can I get it's PDF ( blossom essays

Was it by ole kaelo fault to engage in bussines with olarinkoi

They are great but we need more

Thank you. We also need more

He teacher I am study at starehe boys my question is how can I manage to get an essay full marks

Blood is thicker than water write and essay based on blossom of the savannah help guys🙃

Please help: people who hurt others also end up suffering referring closely to the book

Can you please help me in this, given time a people's culture is able to shed itself off discuss drawing illustrations from the blossoms of the savannah

Good and bad are two sides of the same coin. I need an essay on this

Plz help me with conflict are part and parcel of an ideal society with illustrations from Blossom of the savannah

Plz help me with this essay "F.G.M is a tool of maa community men use to oppress women into remaining docile and submissive like tamed animals"

Plz help on this,,, material security does not guarantee happiness.discuss according to the blossoms of the savanna

How will I get the whole of it in the cyber please

How is love of money the source of all evils

Kiswahili lugha ambayo yalikuwa na penda

'One has to know which side of the bread is buttered' by referring to the lives of kaelo and Oloisudori show the truthfulness of this statement plz help

In oloisudori and olarinkoi there is no lesser evil illustrate this from blossoms of the savannah

Splendid wafula u have changed my life

how can l score full marks in blossoms of the savannah

Women are there own enemies, how does it connect with the blossoms of the Savannah

please write an assay showing the truth of this statement "cruelty of insensitive traditions may bring suffering to the women in the society"

Help me with an essay of events and setback are signboard in road to success using the book blossoms of the savannah

Love ur essay

Thanks for letting me know more about the book

This article is so helpful

It really helps to obtain the best

Well done🙏🙏🙏

Assist me with the change is inevitable in any society

Assist me with essay about women are their own enemies refering to blossoms of the savanna

Please help me with these question." What goes around comes around"

Thanks this is really helpful to me.assist me with essay about women should be given a voice for a society to become cohesive in blossoms of the savannah

Help in essay writing ...parents have a duty to make choices that safeguard the interests of their children but when they fail to do so ,they expose their children to untold agony .use illustratioillustrations from blossoms of the savannah

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Blossoms of the Savannah summary, analysis, and characters

Blossoms of the Savannah is a 2008 novel set in a rural area of the Maa community in Kenya . The author, Henry R Ole Kulet, focuses on the cultural differences between traditional and modern ways of living. The novel offers a fruitful discourse about how these seemingly wide-apart cultures co-exist.

Blossoms of the Savannah was written by Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature winner Henry Kulet. It was first published in 2008. The title implies flowering plants growing in the woodland, ready to produce fruits. Like such flowers, the story brings out the unique features of two young girls hoping to thrive in a harsh environment.

Blossoms of the Savannah characters

Authors create characters to disseminate information while also entertaining the audience. A compelling narrative is created by creating likeable characters, known as protagonists and unlikeable ones, known as antagonists. The characters from Blossoms of the Savannah full story include:

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• Parsimei Ole Kaelo - He is Taiyo and Resian’s father and Mama Milanoi’s husband. He has a complicated relationship with his daughters.
• Mama Milanoi – She is a dedicated woman but undergoing challenges to reconcile the cultural expectations of Maa women with modern ideologies.
• Resian – She is the book's hero as she manages to resist FG even after facing lots of pushback from her aunts and mother.
• Taiyo – She is the eldest daughter of Parsimei Ole Kaelo. Her father loves her more than Resian and she is also more obedient and forgiving.
• Oloisudori Loonkiya – He is a highly-corrupt contractor for the government. He cunningly lures people to do business with him in return for fast money but he eventually extorts them.
• Olarinkoi – He is a dishonest man who pretends to be good. First, he rescues Resian from a forced marriage but later betrays her by attempting to rape her with the ill intentions of forcefully marrying her.
• Nabaru the enkabaani – She served as her community's nurse and medicine woman. She comes to Resian's rescue when Olarinkoi leaves her for dead.
• Joseph Parmuat – He is a young, handsome and intelligent man brought in as Taiyo and Resian’s brother. He educates his sisters about the Maa people's culture and customs.
• Supeyo – He is the younger brother of Ole Kaelo. His brother holds him in high regard for taking care of the family and business while he is away.
• Minik – She is one of the few women from the Maa community who haven’t undergone FGM. After attending Makerere University, she starts a rescue centre for girls running away from FGM and early marriages.

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Blossoms of the Savannah summary

Blossoms of the Savannah episodes revolve around the family of Parsimei Ole Kaelo, Mama Milanoi, his accommodating unquestioning wife and their two daughters, Resian and Taiyo. After living and working at Agribix Limited in Nakuru for more than 20 years, Ole Kaelo is retrenched from his job. Therefore, the family of four must relocate from Nakuru to their ancestral home, Nasila.

In the village, they reunite with Ole Kaelo's brother, Simiren, with his four wives and their children. Ole Kaelo hopes and plans to start up his own agricultural business. On the other hand, his two daughters remain hopeful that their father will help them further their education by taking them to the university.

Without Mama Milanoi and the girl's knowledge and consent, Ole Kaelo sells his soul to the devil by cutting a deal with Oloisudori Loonkiya. Since the two girls have lived in the city for more than 20 years, they haven't undergone the cut, which is mandatory among the Nasila people. Therefore, they are viewed as intoiye nemangalana meaning uncircumcised girls.

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Ole Kaelo has to abide by the Nasila people's will to be recognized as one of the elders among his peers. First, he has to appease them by making his daughters undergo the cut. Secondly, he has to prove to them that he is a family of means.

Guided by the need for acceptance by the community, he falls prey to Oloisudori Loonkiya, who loan s him willingly. But, in his nature of exploiting people, Oloisudori asks to marry Resian as payment for the loan given to Ole Kaelo. Also, he provides the condition that Resian has to be circumcised.

Since the two men know that Resian will rebel, they stage a kidnapping to marry her by force. However, she escapes the stagged kidnap and falls into the hands of Olarinkoi, who saves her. However, while Olarinkoi pretends to be a good person, his true colours show when he attempts to rape Resian. She fights with him, but eventually, Olarinkoi leaves her for the dead.

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With the help of Minik, Resian and Taiyo successfully fight for what they believe in. However, Taiyo, the model child who also respects her parents' authority, barely makes it after facing brutal circumcision that leaves her for the dead.

Blossoms of the Savannah episodes

The novel has 28 episodes as follows:

• Journey to Nasila
• The reception at Nasila
• Ole Kaelo’s meeting with Ole Supeyo
• Arrival at Ole Kaelo’s new home
• Ole Kaelo’s homecoming party
• The aftermath of the party
• The tale of Olarinkoi and Ilarinkon warriors
• Oloisudori visits the Kaelos
• Ole Kaelo’s dilemma over Oloisudori’s demand to marry Resian
• Mama Milanoi’s flashback about amorous men
• Parmuat teaches Resian and Taiyo about culture
• Taiyo and Parmuat love confessions
• Resian and Taiyo accosted by two vagabonds
• Resin and Taiyo’s stay at uncle Simiren’s place
• Search party and punishment for Ntara Muyo and Lante
• Oloisudori's second visit
• Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi visit Oloisudori’s palatial homes
• Resian’s nasty encounter with Oloisudori
• Resian’s escape and suicidal thoughts
• Resian’s harrowing journey to Inkiito
• Olarinkoi tries to rape Resian
• Resian meets enkabaani Nabaru
• Escape from Inkiito
• Resian meets Minik ene Nkoitoi
• Taiyo’s rescue from Esoit village
• Taiyo’s circumcision at Esoit village
• Minik ene Nkoitoi’s confrontation with Oloisudori
• Off to Egerton University

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Analysis of Blossoms of the Savannah

The story appropriately gives a representation of the essence of the harshness and hardness of the coming-of-age of two young girls from the Maa community. Some of the Blossoms of the Savannah themes as depicted in the novel include:

1. Gender inequality

Gender inequality is one of the major themes in almost all aspects of Taiyo and Resian's lives. Like many other parts of the country, women in Nasila are treated as subordinate to their male counterparts. As a result, they are denied the freedom to make decisions about their lives.

For instance, women are expected to be monogamous, while men are polygamous. Furthermore, women have no choice over who to marry. Lastly, Taiyo and Resian are seen as law violators upon resisting FGM and wanting to further their education.

2. Corruption

Oloisudori is one of the main characters embodying the theme of corruption. He offers government contracts to people before using them as leverage against his business partner. Despite everyone knowing how corrupt he is, nothing is done to stop him because his practice has been normalized.

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Kaelo's daughter displays courage in facing all the tragic incidences they face. They courageously escape their aggressors, including family, are self-defensive against attempted rape and speak out against unjust cultural practices . Minik also fearlessly takes in girls running away from arranged marriages and FGM.

4. Coming of Age

The novel explores the coming-of-age theme by outlining the nature of adolescence and how complex it is to become an adult in the Maa community. The people of Nasila are seen exerting much pressure on Resian and Taiyo's parents to circumcise the girls as a rite of passage to alleged womanhood.

KCSE BLOSSOMS ESSAYS

2012, Joseph

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Blossoms of the Savannah

Relevance of the title "blossoms of the savannah" anonymous 12th grade.

The title of a novel summarizes the entire novel. The title should be in line with the content explored from the introduction to the conclusion of the novel. Relevant titles captivate the readers. An irrelevant title will hinder the reader in understanding a novel. The relevance of the title , Blossoms of the Savannah, commences with the cover page which illustrates the savannah. The sunset and the flowers on the lower part of the page present a savannah. The title, Blossoms of the Savannah , is relevant to the events in the plot, and the title summarizes the key themes.

Literally, “ Blossoms of the Savannah ” refer to the flowers growing on the Savannah. Kulet writes, "there was an occasional stand of trees and scattered species of cactus such as irankaun and isuguro . Save for the scanty vegetation, Resian saw a lonely and nearly desolate land "(213). This passage offers a perfect description of the Savannah. The setting has cacti plants. Not all plants can survive in a dry savannah; hardy species such as cactus survive in deserts despite the lack of water. The vegetation in the savannah is scanty; not all flower species blossom to maturity. Furthermore, some shrubs in the savannah are stunted. The stunted growth depicts the...

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