He detests Resian since then p.10 . When hesees 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 thegesture embarrassing he does not wish to be associated with her. He talks to her22daughter through their mother p.69 .this is because his gloated manly feeling cannotallow him to address a young girl. He stays for long time without relaying criticalinformation like the intention by Oloisudori to marry one of his daughters p.114 . Sinceshe is a woman and her decisions are not necessary, he first weighs the issueindependently. EnterprisingHis mentor is Ole Supeyo p.20 who is a serious businessman in cattle trading. Heowns 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 contract with the government through Oloisudori. P.24 .His mother-in-law is happy to get a son in law who is a businessman p.28 .GreedyEven after being warned by Supeyo against the corrupt Oloisudori, Kaelo insists ondealing with him due to financial gains. He views the warning as envy on the part ofSupeyo 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 bedenied in this home p.98 .He chooses to deal with Oloisudori the criminal due togreed p.109 . He wishes to deal with the wealthy. P.109 . He does not care the meansof getting wealthy p.111 . He takes dowry for his two daughters even when they wantto join university p.111 .ModernHe tells off his brother when elders send him to tell him to marry other wives and getmore children and sons. He says polygamy is archaic. He has only one wife and twodaughters even when men have many wives and many children. He builds a modernstone house for his family with red tiles p.27 . His shop in Nasila is also furnishedtastefully to attract high-class customers. TraitorousThough a parent to Resian and Taiyo he betrays them.


He has only one wife and twodaughters even when men have many wives and many children. He builds a modernstone house for his family with red tiles p.27 . His shop in Nasila is also furnishedtastefully to attract high-class customers. TraitorousThough a parent to Resian and Taiyo he betrays them. He does not provide parentallove as he ought to. He does not support university education for his daughters and hesupports their early marriage. He also supports their FGM so that he can receive dowry23and safeguard his businesses. PatrioticDuring the homecoming ceremony, he swears never again will he Live away from Nasilanor abandon its culture p.40 . The twin sub clans of Ilmolelian Itoorasha Kiheji andLelema will always be like two chambers of his heart. P.40 . He calls Joseph to trainTaiyo and Resian Maa dance and culture p.121 .AlienatedHe had got detached from Nasila life for many years. He has to hold a homecomingceremony. P.37 . It is now thirty years since he left Nasila for Nakuru. He seems toembrace more of the modern culture than the traditional one. This makes him embracethe likes of OloisudoriPerfectionist MeticulousHe made sure that their furniture was loaded as fittingly as possible so that it does notbreak on the way p.14 .He organizes a homecoming party without fault p. 37 . Heincludes guests from all the five clans p 37 .IronicalWhen elders send Simiren to tell him to be polygamous, he dismisses polygamy asarchaic yet later he encourages FGM on her daughters p.13 , which is equally anegative traditional cultural practice. StoicEven when he is retrenched, he goes about the sudden news without physically showinghe is beaten. He views the new change as an inevitability p.7 . When Resian runs andleaves Oloisudori at home on reaching the shop, Kaelo attempts not to show his greatfury to the girl. When asked about university studies he answers stoically, I decided Iam not sending you there p.207 .StubbornHe stubbornly denies his daughters a chance to study at the university. Taiyo comments You know the stubbornness of father p. 4 .


When asked about university studies he answers stoically, I decided Iam not sending you there p.207 .StubbornHe stubbornly denies his daughters a chance to study at the university. Taiyo comments You know the stubbornness of father p. 4 . 24SycophanticWhen Oloisudori visits, Kaelo stands in order to please him. P.177 . He seems to beworshipping riches and wealth. JealousHe is hurt because Simiren is more appreciated and considered as the cultural leader ofthe Kaelo s p.9 .Dependable TrustworthyOle Supeyo trusts him. He would entrust him to count his money p.4 . Milanoi sparents find him a dependable protector p.29 .CorruptHe is well versed with the murky business of the underworld. P.23 . He is about to signa four-year s contract with the government through the help of the corrupt Oloisudori p.25 .Foresighted plannerMama Milanoi expresses this fact on p.29 in a flashback. He planned homecomingceremony meticulously p.37 . He tells Joseph that he had planned his future life whenhe was young p.70 .ResponsibleMama Milanoi attests to the fact that Kaelo is responsible p.28 . She says since hemarried her he has always provided for the family. LovingMama Milanoi confirms this trait p.29 . He calls her Lanoo-ai-nayorr an intimateexpression p.30 . Taiyo is his favorite daughter p.111 .The role of Kaelo is to anchor the themes of patriarchy, culture, FGM, greed amongothers. He is useful in development of other characters especially Taiyo, Resian, MamaMilanoi and Oloisudori. The writer uses him to create flashbacks and his retrenchmenthelps in developing the novel s plot. 25TaiyoShe is sister to Resian and daughter to Kaelo and Mama Milanoi. IntelligentShe understands her father well p.1 .


He is useful in development of other characters especially Taiyo, Resian, MamaMilanoi and Oloisudori. The writer uses him to create flashbacks and his retrenchmenthelps in developing the novel s plot. 25TaiyoShe is sister to Resian and daughter to Kaelo and Mama Milanoi. IntelligentShe understands her father well p.1 . For example she knows when he is not in the rightmood to be spoken to. She knows he does not like having his plans delayed. Sheobserves intelligently that culture and traditions are never static but by being dynamic,culture sheds off aspects that are irrelevant p.127 .SympatheticShe sympathizes with the loaders who are receiving stern instructions from Kaelo herfather. P.1 She had made it her duty to mop her young sister s tears, sooth her angerand gently reassure her when shaken p.34 .At the homecoming ceremony shesympathizes with the old man who struggles with meat with little success p.50 . Shelater comes to know he is Ole Musanka, a religious leader. She brings alternative softfood to him. Bold DaringTo the knobkerrie carrying young man she demands. Let go of my hand. She vows tofight F.G.M even when Nasila culture and her father promote it p.88 . She declaresopenly to Joseph that she has fallen in love with him. She does not give a hoot aboutit. P.129 . She boldly visits Joseph s house even when it is a risky affair p.130 . Shethinks boldly that their relationship with Joseph must remain even if it means relocatingto Tanzania and becoming people of undefined culture p.136 . The attack by callousyoung men strengthens her resolve p.143 .LovingShe loves Joseph. This is even after being warned against having a relationship withhim by the father p.71 . She is infatuated and makes him a confidante. She says If byloving you I offend the sensibilities of Nasila then let me offend them and face theconsequences of doing so. P.133 .


This is even after being warned against having a relationship withhim by the father p.71 . She is infatuated and makes him a confidante. She says If byloving you I offend the sensibilities of Nasila then let me offend them and face theconsequences of doing so. P.133 . She sacrifices to go and see Resian so that Resianmay eat when her mother lies to her that Resian has gone on a hunger strike p.272 .Emotional26At the time they are leaving Nakuru for Nasila, Taiyo sheds tears p.6, p.2 . This showsthe intimate relationship she has had with this town. She is not ready to let go of thetown. She could also be afraid of relocating to a rural town. She is not willing to partwith her boyfriend from Nakuru, Lenjir p.3 . When she realizes her relationship withJoseph Parmuat is highly hindered by traditions, she weeps herself dry p.56 .ResponsibleShe holds Resian s cheek and registers that she has been devoted to her sister sincethey were in nursery school p.34 . She takes a lot of time before broaching the issue ofgoing to university for she seeks an apt opportunity p.54 . Kaelo tells Joseph that thegirls are intelligent but require cultural studies p.70 .She responsibly and carefullyprepares delicious meals p.75 . She advises Joseph that they keep a clandestinerelationship and then reveal it later so as not to hurt Papaai p.134 . She advises Resiannot to be left alone in the house with Oloisudori p.197 .AlienatedShe feels estranged for she has never visited Nasila before in her lifetime therefore shelacks basics of Nasila culture p.70 . She chooses to fall in love with Joseph even whenthe 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 oftime watching for she has no dancing skills of Nasila dances. She has to be trainedtraditional dances and culture by Joseph. StubbornShe stubbornly puts up a spirited struggle but later the battle is lost. This is when sheinsists on attending an extravaganza at Mombasa but her father denies her permission p.2 .


During the dance she takes a lot oftime watching for she has no dancing skills of Nasila dances. She has to be trainedtraditional dances and culture by Joseph. StubbornShe stubbornly puts up a spirited struggle but later the battle is lost. This is when sheinsists on attending an extravaganza at Mombasa but her father denies her permission p.2 . She stubbornly falls in love with Joseph p.133 .SociableWhile in Nakuru, with Resian they always stand at the window every Sunday before theygo to church p.2 . With Resian, they discuss petty issues like they observe that two outof four aunts are pregnant p.18 .Together with Resian they mingle with women folk andgirls of Nasila and learn a lot p.36 . 27OptimisticShe hopes that the new shop will succeed. She says Nasila is an Agricultural area andfertilizer and other inputs will be in high demand p.4 . She hopes one day they will go toEgerton University p.4 .AssertiveShe tells the young man who accosts them We are not the kind of women you have inmind. P.19 . With Resian, while in the ranch they declare never to be subservient totheir male counterparts P.277 .HardworkingOn arriving in their new house at Nasila, Taiyo works to exhaustion even when Resian isjust reading books p.32 .FlexibleWith Resian, they adapt to Nasila s lifestyle and easily get used to welcomingimpromptu visitors like Olarinkoi p.35 .Her role in the novel in the novel is essential in developing the character of Resian. It isthrough her that we understand the character of Resian as assertive and committed tofemale empowerment. ResianShe is sister to Taiyo and daughter to Kaelo and Mama Milanoi. Inquisitive KeenShe inquisitively questions the chances of her father s new shop picking up p.3 .Shequestions 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 meetingOloisudori p.120 . She questions Olarinkoi s sincerity about taking her to the ranch p.217 . 28CriticalShe questions why her father sought Joseph to be their teacher of culture Why not agirl p.73 .


P.16 .She interrogates and observes that Kaelo s cheerfulness has decreased after meetingOloisudori p.120 . She questions Olarinkoi s sincerity about taking her to the ranch p.217 . 28CriticalShe questions why her father sought Joseph to be their teacher of culture Why not agirl p.73 . She observes that the arrangement is favoring men. That Joseph is toprepare them to be suitable wives to their husbands p.73 . When mother tries toexplain 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 tosee any difference between the ancient Ilarinkon from the current Ilarinkon p.91 . Shequestions the intruding tendency by Nasilan s into their house p.91 . She initiallyquestions the significance of Kaelo Oloisudori relationship p.98 .Firm Determined ResoluteEven when told of their new shop she clearly says she does not want to work in theshop but to go to Egerton University. She does not just want to go to a university butEgerton University where she will take veterinary science and become a veterinarydoctor p.4 .When she is told by Taiyo that she will have a right to have as manychildren as she wishes she answers immediately saying, I don t want to be a parent. Atleast not in the foreseeable future p.18 . She adds, I want to study. She resolves toface the callous Oloisudori firmly p.200 .Even when she is beaten and denied achance to join University by her father, she does not lose hope but still focuses on goingto the university p.211 .She reminds herself when the lorry breaks down beforereaching the ranch that she will not allow other people to sway her from her chartedcourse p.256 . It should be noted that Resian s decision to go to Egerton Universitybegan when with Taiyo and her father visited agricultural show. From that time shestuck to the goal till came to fruition. BoldOn reaching Nasila, with Taiyo they manage to walk around even when they are notfamiliar with the environment p.17 .


She adds, I want to study. She resolves toface the callous Oloisudori firmly p.200 .Even when she is beaten and denied achance to join University by her father, she does not lose hope but still focuses on goingto the university p.211 .She reminds herself when the lorry breaks down beforereaching the ranch that she will not allow other people to sway her from her chartedcourse p.256 . It should be noted that Resian s decision to go to Egerton Universitybegan when with Taiyo and her father visited agricultural show. From that time shestuck to the goal till came to fruition. BoldOn reaching Nasila, with Taiyo they manage to walk around even when they are notfamiliar with the environment p.17 . She asks her mother directly into her eyes, what isthe purpose of FGM today? P.90 . She openly and boldly says she will not allow earlymarriage to occur in her life p.129 . She does not easily agree when told by her fatherthat she is to wait for Oloisudori and three guests to cook for them p.171 . She comesup with a risky plan of humiliating Oloisudori p.195 . She is most attracted to bold29personalities like Minik and Prof. Wangari Maathai p.250 . Nabaru confirms to us thatResian is a brave girl p.253 . Resian inspires the old lady Nabaru with her boldness sothat she walks a long distance to organize for a lorry to take them to the ranch. Dr. Minikcongratulates Resian for being firm and boldly resisting FGM p.264 .AssertiveWhen they are accosted with Taiyo by knobkerrie welding young man she hisses, Leavemy sister alone. P.19 . She strongly declares that she would rather live in the noisiestplace than near a vagabond with intention of mutilating her p.33 . She feels Joseph slessons are taking her to the Stone Age era p.72 . She detests Joseph s teachings onculture and insists she will be taught universal content at the university p.73 . MamaMilanoi thinks of her as a hard nut to crack for she knew her rights p.118 .


She feels Joseph slessons are taking her to the Stone Age era p.72 . She detests Joseph s teachings onculture and insists she will be taught universal content at the university p.73 . MamaMilanoi thinks of her as a hard nut to crack for she knew her rights p.118 . She knowsOloisudori will not have a walkover on the issue of marriage p.118 . She observes thatNasila culture must soon shed off F.G.M and assertively notes that there are no twoways about it p.128 .AggressiveShe bites the thumb of Olarinkoi when he attempts to rape her p.22 . In a dream, shetells the old enkamuratani that she will never circumcise again. She twists her handthat is holding the Olmurunya mercilessly p.245 . She descends on the mono eyedwitch 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. ResentfulShe 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 tellshim off when he visits and insists that she should serve him p.205 . She resentfullyasks what is wrong with being born a woman. P.205 . She contemplates suicide afterher plan to go to the university is cancelled by her father p.210 .RemorsefulWhen she becomes clumsy and almost breaks the glass she apologizes to her father30 p.40 . When chided by her mother against using rude words towards Oloisudori andyeiyo-botorr, she apologizes p.94 . When she learns Oloisudori is heart she says sorry P.95 .Visionary AmbitiousShe has a dream of being called Dr. Resian Kaelo P.94 . She is always reading booksso as to keep her ambition alive p.135 .


When she learns Oloisudori is heart she says sorry P.95 .Visionary AmbitiousShe has a dream of being called Dr. Resian Kaelo P.94 . She is always reading booksso as to keep her ambition alive p.135 . When Kaelo tells her with finality that she is notjoining university, she screams like one possessed with demented spirits p.209 .ObservantShe observes that her uncle s four houses have rivalry and apprehension amongstthemselves. 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 termchildren always referred to girls in the Maa culture p.175 .PessimisticAt time she lacks hope. This is partly contributed by her father who disliked her rightfrom her birth. Mama Milanoi observes that Resian is in a pessimistic mood most of thetimes p.29 . She hopes for the worst in their new house and requests Taiyo to pleadwith father so that they can go to university for studies and security p.33 .Persuasive PersistentShe 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 fatherabout their university education p.89 . She persuades the young man accosting themnot to harm them, Taiyo Resian p.18 .Sarcastic Wiser indeed! Jeered Resian. P.72 .She mocks her father s words that Joseph willteach them. When asked by her father why she has left her guest Oloisudori alone inthe house, she sarcastically answers, I left him at home enjoying his tea and pancakes 31 p.206 .JealousShe 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 notready to be abandoned by Taiyo as she falls in love with Joseph p.72 .LazyIn their new house, even when there are many duties to be done, she chooses to read abook p.32 .


P.72 .She mocks her father s words that Joseph willteach them. When asked by her father why she has left her guest Oloisudori alone inthe house, she sarcastically answers, I left him at home enjoying his tea and pancakes 31 p.206 .JealousShe 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 notready to be abandoned by Taiyo as she falls in love with Joseph p.72 .LazyIn their new house, even when there are many duties to be done, she chooses to read abook 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 theindustrious Taiyo p.64 .DefiantShe said in a defiant voice that she has no problem with adding knowledge but nottraditional 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 .OptimisticShe constantly hopes that one day she will join university p.89 . She imagines herselfalready admitted at the university and walking majestically p.89 .SecretiveShe agrees that they should not inform the father about the incident when they areaccosted by a callous young man p.20 .Resian s role in the novel as a protagonist is critical. The author uses her to drive centralthemes like FGM, female assertiveness and determination. She compliments Taiyo herelder sister and a confidante. She also immensely develops dialogue as a style as wellas the plot of the novel. Mama Jane MilanoiShe is the wife to Kaelo and mother to Taiyo and Resian. Meek SubmissiveShe says she did not resist Kaelo s marriage for traditions did not allow any resistance32 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 .


She compliments Taiyo herelder sister and a confidante. She also immensely develops dialogue as a style as wellas the plot of the novel. Mama Jane MilanoiShe is the wife to Kaelo and mother to Taiyo and Resian. Meek SubmissiveShe says she did not resist Kaelo s marriage for traditions did not allow any resistance32 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 . WhenTaiyo requests her to allow Joseph Parmuat to come and coach her on traditionaldances, she fears saying that s your father s territory. P.56 . She fears to broach thesubject 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 husbandfor he is a man p.95 . She honors her husband s visitor and his friends p.179 . Sheburns rice as she is afraid of Kaelo after Oloisudori has just left p.104 .ReligiousBefore embarking on their journey to Nasila, she leads in prayers. Kaelo first spottedher at a church service at Nasila p.9 . She is to join women in ancestral prayers andsongs of praise, a prayer for exhorting God to open women s wombs so that she canbear a son for Kaelo p.29 .CautiousShe cautions Taiyo and Resian against strangers who might take advantage of theirunfamiliarity with Nasila. P.17 . She wishes to care for her children although she fearsNasila people for their intolerance p.30 . She is torn between her love for Nasila cultureand that for her daughters as well as her dutiful role of a faithful and obedient wife. P.61 . That is why she takes the subject of FGM cautiously. LovingShe loves and cares for her daughters. She is worried by the FGM that is to beconducted on them p.61 . On learning that Oloisudori intends to marry one of herdaughters she cries with pain. P.113 .


She is worried by the FGM that is to beconducted on them p.61 . On learning that Oloisudori intends to marry one of herdaughters she cries with pain. P.113 . Like a woman in labour, the story about sellingResian to Oloisudori highly hurts her p.193 .Evasive ElusiveShe avoids the girls demand to be taken to university p.8 . Even when the girls makethis request she lingers. Mama Milanoi as a character is important in addressing the issue of women33subjugation by men in the patriarchal Maa community. The novelist uses her todemonstrate how women occupy a lowly position in the family. Dialogue and flashbackas stylistic devices are used by the novelist through her. She is also used to address theissue of religion in the novel. TraitorousHer daughters expect her to voice their requests to their strict father but shedisappoints them on the issue. The girls also expect the mother to side with them onthe idea of FGM so that they do not undergo the cut but instead she supports theircircumcision and keeps quiet about the arranged marriage of her daughters andOloisudori even when she notes the gender disparity and the girls relentless desire toacquire university education. Uncle Simiren KaeloHe is the younger brother to Kaelo, uncle to Taiyo and Resian and brother in-law toMama Milanoi. ResponsibleFor thirty years, Parsimei Ole Kaelo has been away and during this time Simiren hasacted 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 . Heparticipates in the construction of Kaelo s two buildings p.12 . He always passes anycritical information to him and keeps him updated on what is happening in Nasila. Anapt 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 wereyoung p.12 . He has always accepted his position to be subordinate p. 12 . Evenwhen he has four wives and sixteen children while his brother has only one wife and twochildren he remains humble p.12 .


He has always accepted his position to be subordinate p. 12 . Evenwhen he has four wives and sixteen children while his brother has only one wife and twochildren he remains humble p.12 . When Ole Kaelo returns to Nasila, he humblyexpects that Kaelo will take up his role as the eldest brother p.12 When Kaelo getsenraged after he Simiren relays elders concerns to him Kaelo on their stand onpolygamy, he does not argue with his brother p.13 . 34HospitableHe jovially welcomes the Kaelo s; his brother s family, back home from Nakuru wherethey have stayed for around thirty years. Traditional ConservativeHe 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 forKaelo to have a smooth transition to Nasila before and during the migration. Yeiyo-BotorrShe is the first wife of Simiren, and aunt to Taiyo and Resian. She is accorded moreroles in the family and has an obligation of leading the co-wives. In Simiren s house, sheis the eldest wife of the four wives. Conservative SuperstitiousShe thinks of Resian as a mad girl when she speaks ill about the lazy Olarinkoi. Shecannot bear an argument about female freedom and assertiveness P.77 . She believesResian has a bad spirit because she is not circumcised p.78 .Yeiyo-botorr is used bythe novelist to lay ground for polygamy in a Maa family. She is used to show cohesion ina traditional polygamous family. ResponsibleShe introduces the other women to visitors p.16 .SincereWhen she finds Taiyo and Resian doing house chores she genuinely praises them p.76 .Soin Ole SupeyoHe is a respected elder of Ilmolelian clan, a longtime friend to Ole Kaelo as well as hismentor. HonestHe honestly tells Ole Kaelo how much corrupt Oloisudori is and warns him sarcastically35against him p.26 .


Shecannot bear an argument about female freedom and assertiveness P.77 . She believesResian has a bad spirit because she is not circumcised p.78 .Yeiyo-botorr is used bythe novelist to lay ground for polygamy in a Maa family. She is used to show cohesion ina traditional polygamous family. ResponsibleShe introduces the other women to visitors p.16 .SincereWhen she finds Taiyo and Resian doing house chores she genuinely praises them p.76 .Soin Ole SupeyoHe is a respected elder of Ilmolelian clan, a longtime friend to Ole Kaelo as well as hismentor. HonestHe honestly tells Ole Kaelo how much corrupt Oloisudori is and warns him sarcastically35against him p.26 . He advises Kaelo to be careful with Oloisudori p.26 . He also warnsKaelo against Oloisudori s immoral behavior by telling him to ensure he keeps hisdaughters away from him p.26 .SarcasticHe uses sarcastic remarks on Kaelo aiming at hurting him. Supeyo said, scornful smiletwisting his lips. P.26 Emakererei Minik ene NkoitoiShe is a doctor of veterinary science, manager of a big ranch and a crusader againstFGM. She is the mentor to Taiyo and Resian. She is the manager of a ranch and aveterinary expert. BoldThough she is hated very much in Nasila, she champions freedom of females andcrusades against F.G.M and early marriages p.62. She boldly tells Oloisudori that noneof 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 hisdaughter p.22 .She orders Oloisudori to leave the ranch for his own safety and thesafety of his expensive machines p.283 . She refuse to comply with his demand to begiven either Resian or Taiyo. AuthoritativeShe 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 looks boldly into Oloisudori s eyes p.283 .She visits Ole Supeyo s homestead to persuade him not to circumcise hisdaughter p.22 .She orders Oloisudori to leave the ranch for his own safety and thesafety of his expensive machines p.283 . She refuse to comply with his demand to begiven either Resian or Taiyo. AuthoritativeShe 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 . Sheauthoritatively makes it clear that Oloisudori and his group did not have a right toreceive any invitation letter to the party p.282 .She advises Oloisudori to leave theranch in an angry tone p.283 .Generous HelpfulShe helps Resian and Taiyo get admission letters to Egerton University. She givesResian a house and a job in the Ranch and saves Taiyo from her circumcisers. Sheholds a party for the two girls before they go to the university p.280 .Educated liberatedMama Milanoi says she had gone to Makerere University in Uganda p.61 . She36manages a vast ranch which requires a lot of expertise. Loving WarmShe holds Resian on her shoulder and speaks to her calmly p.259 . She chooses toaddress Nabaru instead of Resian directly. P.262 . She develops a warm relationshipwith Resian p.267 .ConvincingShe convinces Nabaru that FGM is wasteful to females and Nabaru changes herposition towards FGM p.263 .SympatheticShe feels sad when she sees a traumatized girl; she feels bitter bile sizzle inside herselfand burn in her heart p.269 .CourteousThe narrator comments about her courteous character when she calls the girls for theadmission letters p.279 .Minik is important to the novel for she is the agent of education, female empowermentas well as crusader of women freedom. Without her, the novelist cannot address thecentral issue of FGM in the novel.


P.262 . She develops a warm relationshipwith Resian p.267 .ConvincingShe convinces Nabaru that FGM is wasteful to females and Nabaru changes herposition towards FGM p.263 .SympatheticShe feels sad when she sees a traumatized girl; she feels bitter bile sizzle inside herselfand burn in her heart p.269 .CourteousThe narrator comments about her courteous character when she calls the girls for theadmission letters p.279 .Minik is important to the novel for she is the agent of education, female empowermentas well as crusader of women freedom. Without her, the novelist cannot address thecentral issue of FGM in the novel. The last section of the novel takes place at the ranchand therefore she contributes significantly to plot development. Edward Oloisudori LoonkiyaaHe is a close friend to Ole Kaelo and a jack of all trades. ImmoralSupeyo warns Kaelo to keep his daughters away from him terming him as a randy hegoat. His initial plan was to extort Kaelo but on noticing the two girls he changes hismind. P.112 . Resian certainly felt the fingers of his lifted hand graze the fullness of herbreast p.93 . While in Kaelo s house, Oloisudori s eyes drop from face to Resian sbosom p.203 . Kaelo is advised to keep off his daughters from him. CunningHe brings gifts to the girls without telling them he is also paying their dowry p.179 . Heentices Resian and Taiyo s parents by taking them for a visit in his own homestead p. 37186 . Ole Kaelo had even earlier reported to Oloisudori that girls are reporting at theUniversity but instead he plans to marry them p.187 . He ensnares Taiyo and Resianlike antelopes p.192 . He schemes a plan of grabbing Resian to be his wife p.200 .CorruptSupeyo 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 and extortionist p.101 .


He ensnares Taiyo and Resianlike antelopes p.192 . He schemes a plan of grabbing Resian to be his wife p.200 .CorruptSupeyo 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 and extortionist p.101 . He takes part in hunting elephants and rhinos p.236 .AuthoritativeHe authoritatively asks where Kaelo is p.92 . He authoritatively states that Resian is hiswife p.204 and that only death can part them p.204 .Cynical SarcasticHe tells Kaelo, that he is interested in his girl, Resian and his friend is interested in Taiyobluntly 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 .SadisticWhen Resian tells him off he laughs sadistically. P.205 . Resian tells Oloisudori that heis 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 ParmuatHe 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. BoldHe openly tells Taiyo and Resian that he will join them to fight FGM even when theenvironment is not friendly p.88 . He describes himself as a fish that had jumped out ofwater on verge of death This is when his relationship with Taiyo inclines to intimacy p.136 . 38DependableMama Milanoi corrects Kaelo s thinking by informing him that Joseph is the finest anddependable young man of Nasila p.48 .She does not disappoint Taiyo s parents p.132 .LovingOn meeting Taiyo, he falls in love with her.


The author uses him to create irony as a stylistic device. Joseph ParmuatHe 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. BoldHe openly tells Taiyo and Resian that he will join them to fight FGM even when theenvironment is not friendly p.88 . He describes himself as a fish that had jumped out ofwater on verge of death This is when his relationship with Taiyo inclines to intimacy p.136 . 38DependableMama Milanoi corrects Kaelo s thinking by informing him that Joseph is the finest anddependable young man of Nasila p.48 .She does not disappoint Taiyo s parents p.132 .LovingOn meeting Taiyo, he falls in love with her. He promises to visit her the following dayand also coach her on traditional dance if allowed by Taiyo s father. CautiousIn dealing with Kaelo s two girls, he is cautious of Nasila culture and respects hisparents. P.122 . He is alert so that with Taiyo they do not begin a clandestinerelationship p.123 . He fears the condition of Intoiye nemengalana in the girls. Hecautiously 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. ResponsibleWhile dealing with Taiyo he always ensures that Resian is available p.124 . He followsKaelo 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 hedies by being speared to death in the process. Intelligent InformedHe observes that Maa culture has already shed off some traditional practices likethrowing of the dead and the dying to hyenas, abandoning very old and terminally illpeople to animals. P.128 . He observes how Nasila culture is violent once itssensibilities are violated p.132 .PatrioticAlthough there is a strong wave of marrying Taiyo who is uncircumcised, he sticks tohis culture. He strongly feels that Nasila culture was the father and mother thatnurtured. P.137 . In this case he views the culture as that which nourishes themembers of the community.


He observes how Nasila culture is violent once itssensibilities are violated p.132 .PatrioticAlthough there is a strong wave of marrying Taiyo who is uncircumcised, he sticks tohis culture. He strongly feels that Nasila culture was the father and mother thatnurtured. P.137 . In this case he views the culture as that which nourishes themembers of the community. He resolves to decline her love p.136 . 39EducatedIn his house shelves are neatly packed with books. P.131 . He is a primary schoolteacher in Maasai land, an area with low education index. Joseph Parmuat s role is important in the novel. The novelist uses him to anchor thetheme of culture. He also helps in the emancipation of women through his sacrificetowards Taiyo s education. Old Ole MusankaHe is the old man who leads in blessing ceremony of Kaelo s during the homecomingceremony. ReligiousHe 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 ofNasila p.52 .WiseHe uses proverbs in his conversations. He describes Kaelo as a tiny strand of hair thathad 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 isfamily and home is children p.52 .ConservativeHe warns Taiyo and Resian not to follow the teachings of Emakererei. He cursesEmakererei the wasp, may she go down with the setting sun! P.52 .Ole Musanka is animportant character in reinforcing the theme of religion as well as culture. His age andposition as an elder as well as a prophet make him stand a better position in religionand culture. He also signals future and hope in Taiyo through his prophecy. PatrioticHe advises Maa elders to cut loose the strings of alien culture from Ole Kaelo p.52 . 40OlarinkoiHe is the young Maasai man who stays at Kaelo s home.


His age andposition as an elder as well as a prophet make him stand a better position in religionand culture. He also signals future and hope in Taiyo through his prophecy. PatrioticHe advises Maa elders to cut loose the strings of alien culture from Ole Kaelo p.52 . 40OlarinkoiHe is the young Maasai man who stays at Kaelo s home. He is a suspicious characterand through him the novelist employs suspense. IntrudingHe intrudes into the affairs of the girls while in the house of Ole Kaelo p.74 . He is notknown by the Kaelo s yet he keeps coming to Kaelo s house. IndifferentHe directs his attention to the girl s parents and not the girls p.75 . While escaping withResian, they travel for a very long distance in silence p.127 .LazyHe is always dozing off at the sitting room or idling somewhere else p.77 . He does notbathe and stinks terribly p.240 .SecretiveHe occasionally brings bundles of food to Kaelo s P.79 . He knows the prophesy whichstates that he should marry Resian and keeps quiet about it as he waits for theopportune time. ProtectiveHe protects Resian from committing suicide after her father beats her and denies her achance to go for University studies p.210 . He rescues the girls from molestation bytwo young menMysteriousJoseph says Olarinkoi is a mystery p.80 and only four men know about him. But thefour always contradict in their facts about him p.81 .For example one says that hecomes from Polonga, 200 kilometers from Nasila p.80 .AbusiveHe uses caustic language p.211 . He uses very abusive language on Resian even aftershe is emotionally unstable p.217 . He calls Nabaru a filthy woman for escaping withResian p.249 .Rough Violent41On the day he abducts Resian, he goes drinking and comes late in the night kicking thedoor roughly p.221 .Beastly bitterHe rapes Resian while drunk p.221 . He promises to do something nasty to Nabaru incase she returns after taking Resian to the ranch. P.249 .


He calls Nabaru a filthy woman for escaping withResian p.249 .Rough Violent41On the day he abducts Resian, he goes drinking and comes late in the night kicking thedoor roughly p.221 .Beastly bitterHe rapes Resian while drunk p.221 . He promises to do something nasty to Nabaru incase she returns after taking Resian to the ranch. P.249 . He strongly believes thatNabaru and Resian will be followed by a curse p.249 .Olarinkoi is important as far as suspense is concerned. The author uses him to createsuspense. He is used in the development of F.G.M as a theme as well as exploring thetheme of violence. NabaruShe is the old woman who takes care of Resian after she regains her consciousnessafter the rape ordeal done by Olarinkoi. Caring HelpfulShe encourages and cares for Resian until she regains her health p.225 . She promisesto give Resian account of what transpired when she lost her memory p.231 . She is theenkabaani who informs Resian of great secrets and even the prophecy p.232 . Shesaves the life of Resian. P.236 . She also becomes her confidant p.237 so that thetwo share a great deal. BoldShe travels a long distance in a rough terrain at night to search for a lorry to ferry Resianto the ranch p.253 .Independent mindedShe thinks it is none of enkoiboni s business to want to circumcise Resian while herparents were still alive p.238 . Her role is vital in showing the possibility of a femalehelping a fellow female in overcoming challenges of FGM. The author uses her todevelop dialogue as a major stylistic device in the novel. Olarinkoi s MotherShe is the old woman prophetess enkoiboni42ScaryShe looks like a witch and has ill motives p.227 . She has a single, red rimmed eye thatresembled a monster which is partly stone and partly human p.227 .Cynical WickedShe 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 womanbecause she is not circumcised p.228 .


She has a single, red rimmed eye thatresembled a monster which is partly stone and partly human p.227 .Cynical WickedShe 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 womanbecause she is not circumcised p.228 . She shamelessly uncovers Resian s stomach tocheck whether she is pregnant p.235 .SarcasticShe remarks sarcastically, We have been trying to feed you from your bed with a silverspoon. This is not true for Resian was always treated roughly by the witch. P.228 . Shelaughs sarcastically. She mocks her for her father has money p.228 .ContemptuousShe has contempt for the rich corrupt people in the society p.236 . She feels politicalleaders and wealthy people in the country are responsible for the unequal distribution ofresources. In the novel, she represents women who are responsible for being stumbling blocks totheir fellow women in the society. She is used by the writer to bring out the theme ofwomen as enemies of themselves. Lebutu Lorry DriverMeekHe politely asks for more work from Dr. Minik p.254 . On their way to the ranch he usespolite language to address the two ladies. He is contrasted with the other driver whodrives a pick up earlier in the novel carrying Olarinkoi. 43CHAPTER THREETHEMESThemes are issues that are consistent in a creative work. They are sub categories orsub topics of the subject matter or the main idea in a work of art. They constitute theentire message the writer wishes to put across to his or her readers. Therefore, themesare the messages put across by a writer in a work of art. There are major and minorthemes. Major themes cut across the text and are the main ideas the writer intends topass to the readers. Minor themes are minor ideas which are still important in the text. POSITIVE NASILIAN CULTURE TRADITIONSCulture 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 theculture 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 aremany aspects of Nasilian culture which are positive.


Minor themes are minor ideas which are still important in the text. POSITIVE NASILIAN CULTURE TRADITIONSCulture 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 theculture 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 aremany aspects of Nasilian culture which are positive. The songs the young people andchildren 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 cherishedNasilian traditional dance would stand the test of time. P.44 . The writer says that theparty was full of pomp and gaiety. This is brought out by jewelry won by the guests suchas ivory, beads, coloured lesos, kangas and shukas p.47 , all attesting to the richcultural heritage of the Maa. Generosity as a virtue is seen in Simiren who invites allthose present in the party to savor his brother s lavish hospitality p.46 . Food anddrinks are served in generous measures to all those present p.47 . Ole Musanka, anelder who blesses Ole Kaelo s home, glorifies Maa s culture saying that it was the bloodand 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 culturalpractice 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 positive aspects of communal life and unity at their uncle s home. We are told44that, Life and work in that home was communal. Although each mother had her ownhouse 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 deputyto their uncle. There are hardly any disagreements and virtues of selflessness andsharing 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 themen and meting punishment on them.


There are hardly any disagreements and virtues of selflessness andsharing 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 themen 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 worktogether to make the day successful. Ole Kaelo is touched after discovering thatbrotherhood, honour and selflessness still existed in Nasila and this makes him swearthat 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 culturewould regulate the lives of the people It charted out the way for everyone, from cradleto the grave. It defined relationships, it created laws that governed the ownership ofproperty and settled disputes. It did not discriminate, it did not favour anyone over theother, it gave everyone a chance to live a full life; it protected everyone within itsconfines and provided cleansing procedures for those who defiled it. It was simply acherished 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 alwaystempered with mercy p.163 . According to Nasila culture, if a man sought refugebetween 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 downpunishment. Both Ntara Muyo and Lante who had attempted to rape Resian and Taiyoare forced to pay fines to the girls and their father and somehow, justice is done. Thetwo boys had been fined two heifers each and Ntara Muyo an extra heifer to coverthe 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 casesomebody misbehaved and went against the expected conduct. A case in point iswhere an old man got infatuated by a girl of fourteen years.


Both Ntara Muyo and Lante who had attempted to rape Resian and Taiyoare forced to pay fines to the girls and their father and somehow, justice is done. Thetwo boys had been fined two heifers each and Ntara Muyo an extra heifer to coverthe 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 casesomebody misbehaved and went against the expected conduct. A case in point iswhere an old man got infatuated by a girl of fourteen years. When women realized it,45they attacked the man, stripped him naked and beat him up to death. That served as adetractor to any other man who would harbor such intentions. Mama Milanoi wonderswhere such good aspects of Nasila culture had gone for they would shield her daughterfrom 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 frommale visitors in their homes and there was hardly any interaction between fathers anddaughters p.175 . The rich Maa culture has different types of love. There is elangatarewhere boys did anything possible to win girls admiration p.124 . The elangatare loveincluded feats by boys such as killing lions and defending people and their cattle fromtheir enemies. There is also patureishi type of love where a girl and a boy were allowedto have a love affair alongside the conventional love. Such boys were the darlings of thegirls and a song of praise would be composed by the girlfriend in praise of the valorousdeeds of her boyfriend pp.124-125 . This relationship ended in marriage after amarriage ceremony. On the other hand, the patureishi did not end in marriage. It wasmeant to check the conduct and behavior of young people and keep them disciplined p.126 .NEGATIVE CULTURE TRADITIONSNegative aspects of culture in Nasila are strongly opposed by the young generation. Tothem, such practices should be shunned because they have outlived their usefulness ina society that is slowly but surely embracing modernity and civilization. Female Genital Mutilation F.G.M is an outdated cultural practice that has no standingin the changing Nasila.


On the other hand, the patureishi did not end in marriage. It wasmeant to check the conduct and behavior of young people and keep them disciplined p.126 .NEGATIVE CULTURE TRADITIONSNegative aspects of culture in Nasila are strongly opposed by the young generation. Tothem, such practices should be shunned because they have outlived their usefulness ina society that is slowly but surely embracing modernity and civilization. Female Genital Mutilation F.G.M is an outdated cultural practice that has no standingin the changing Nasila. To those that support it, it is meant to tame a wild gender just ascattle that require to be dehorned p.22 . When it was discovered several years back, itwas to find a lasting solution to the exploitation of the Maa women by the Ilarinkonwarriors. That gave birth to enkamuratani the female circumciser . And herOlmurunya was shaped, sharpened and handed to her p.87 .Mama Milanoi alsoaffirms the origin of this cultural practice saying, It was the shame and anger that wasprovoked by Ilarinkon taunts, lewd teasing and provocative posturing that made the46women do what they did to curtail those desires the worthless predators exploited toprey upon them p.90 .Resian is very much opposed to this retrogressive practice. She says, I would rather livein the noisiest place on earth, than live anywhere near a vagabond who would accostme with the intention of mutilating my sexuality p.33 . At this early point, she makesher stand clear that she is opposed to the practice that disfigures and damages femalesexuality. She is bitter and has pain in her heart due to threats of undergoing F.G.M. Theolmurunya, the instrument used to conduct is scary. The writer reveals that it was abladelike tool shaped like a smoothing plane blade and the enkamuratani showed theway she went about her profession of transforming young girls into young womenthrough the cut of olmurunya p.58 . She wonders what the use of F.G.M in today swoman is p.90 . She observes that the practice is being fueled by men who use it tocontinue oppressing women.


The writer reveals that it was abladelike tool shaped like a smoothing plane blade and the enkamuratani showed theway she went about her profession of transforming young girls into young womenthrough the cut of olmurunya p.58 . She wonders what the use of F.G.M in today swoman is p.90 . She observes that the practice is being fueled by men who use it tocontinue oppressing women. One of their ways of oppressing us is to demand thatF.G.M be perpetuated against us forever p.91 . The enkoiboni, mother to Olarinkoi tellsResian, As soon as we clip that erogenous salacity from you that destroys homes, youwill become a respected woman p.229 . This was not the original reason why F.G.Mwas 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 sparedridicule. To make matters worse, if she got pregnant, she would be circumcised at birthand married off to the oldest man in the village p.63 . According to enkoiboni, nomother would want an uncircumcised girl as a wife for her son p.235 .This wouldprevent any other girl from doing such a thing. Circumcising the girl at birth is painful,dehumanizing and traumatizing. Joseph Parmuat opines that negative aspects ofculture such as throwing the dead and the dying to hyenas or abandoning the old andvery sick in deserted homesteads to be eaten by wild animals have already beenexpunged from Nasila culture p.128 . Resian is optimistic that soon, Nasila culturewould do away with F.G.M as a cultural practice. Minik cites horrible and outdatedcultural practice such as emuata that forced young brides to wear heavy copper aroundtheir limbs, legs, arms to make them beautiful and which had been discarded hence47freeing women from pain. She opines that even girl child circumcision should bediscarded for it has outlived its usefulness p.263 .Sexism refers to preference given to either the male or the female gender child. It is anoutdated tradition that is still embraced by individuals such as Ole Kaelo.


Minik cites horrible and outdatedcultural practice such as emuata that forced young brides to wear heavy copper aroundtheir limbs, legs, arms to make them beautiful and which had been discarded hence47freeing women from pain. She opines that even girl child circumcision should bediscarded for it has outlived its usefulness p.263 .Sexism refers to preference given to either the male or the female gender child. It is anoutdated tradition that is still embraced by individuals such as Ole Kaelo. We are toldthat he wanted at least three boys but instead gets two girls. This shows his preferencefor boys. When his wife gets pregnant again, he hopes for a boy who would carry hisname 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. Itsmajor negative effect is that it offered no privacy to those who needed it. Taiyo andResian realize that in Nasila, home belonged to all members of the clan. We are told Itwas not an unusual thing to get up in the morning to find the living room full of men andwomen 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 adjustto such a negative aspect of culture, it still remains a bad aspect of culture for itinterferes with their privacy. Taiyo is unhappy with the tradition that disallows marriage of young people from thesame clan, however remotely related they are. According to Nasila culture, if suchpeople 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 allothers who were of progressive minds p.56 . Joseph fears going against that traditionbecause he would be castigated and punished for doing such a thing. He would also beforced to pay cattle to Ole Kaelo as compensation and undergo a demeaning cleansingceremony as well as a public rebuke p.123 . On the contrary, according to Taiyo, cultureand traditions are never static but are dynamic in that culture shades off aspects thatbecome irrelevant with time p.127 .


Joseph fears going against that traditionbecause he would be castigated and punished for doing such a thing. He would also beforced to pay cattle to Ole Kaelo as compensation and undergo a demeaning cleansingceremony as well as a public rebuke p.123 . On the contrary, according to Taiyo, cultureand traditions are never static but are dynamic in that culture shades off aspects thatbecome irrelevant with time p.127 . She cites F.G.M and the clan system that preventspeople from the same clan from marrying p.128 . She observes that such practicesshould have disappeared at the turn of the last century p.128 .Another aspect of culture that Resian and Taiyo condemn is the practice of bookingunborn baby girls p.129 . This denies women a chance to choose their marriage48partners based on love but not what is dictated upon them by their parents. Apart frombooking unborn baby girls, young women are also subjected to early marriages. Resianand Taiyo are the best cases in point. Ole Kaelo forces Resian to marry Oloisudori, hisbusiness friend against her expectations. She undergoes several challenges in order toovercome this plan. When she escapes from Oloisudori s net, she is subjected toanother forced marriage to Olarinkoi but she also escapes it. Taiyo is also not sparedthe practice. She is forcefully circumcised in order to be handed over to Oloisudori as awife, although she is rescued by Minik. ALIENATIONAlienation is becoming a stranger to what one initially belonged to or being isolatedfrom others. Alienation in the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah is as a result ofembracing new culture. Ole Kaelo and his family have lived for thirty years in Nakuru where he has brought uphis daughters until his retrenchment. This has alienated him from many culturalpractices which he comes across with once he returns to Nasila. During his absencefrom Nasila, it was his brother Simiren who represented him in the Ilmolelian clan insacred rituals such as girls initiation p.11 .


As a result of not having circumcised his daughters, Ole Kaelo isderogatively called the father of Intoiye Nemengalana. Ole Kaelo has also alienated himself from his culture by marrying only one wife whilethe community allows polygamy. He is likened to a mono-eyed giant who stood on legsof straw p.13 . He is in constant clash with the Nasila culture which if he adhered to; hewould not give his daughters to an old man like Oloisudori. For instance, cultureprohibits girls meeting with male visitors but he insists that Resian should serveOloisudori and his friend during his visit p.175 .Both Resian and Taiyo clash with FGM tradition, forced early marriages and coachingabout Nasila culture. Resian is very rebellious of FGM and forced marriage to Oloisudori. 50She also rejects cultural coaching saying, I refuse to be taught to solely please malecounterparts p.77-78 . Resian and Taiyo have lost touch with Nasila culture as a resultof being brought up in the city of Nakuru and being educated. They don t know the typesof love that exist in the rich cultural heritage of their community. Resian asks JosephParmuat whether patureishi really exists p.127 showing her ignorance about thematter. Taiyo s modern cultural values clashes with traditional Nasila culture. She fallsin love with Joseph who is of her clan, a thing not allowed in the Nasilian culture. Shedoes not care about her disregard of such a cultural restriction arguing she cannot careabout a primitive culture which also violates her right to marry anybody she falls in lovewith p.133 .The positive aspects of Nasila culture are under threat from the imposing modernculture. The writer puts that this culture, was no more and just Nasila River has beenpolluted by chemicals, by the likes of Oloisudori. It had become mutable and now itcontained 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 differentculture from hers. She says they, knew very little of Nasila culture. They were childrenof a new undefined culture. Theirs was a mutant of another kind p.118 .Education is one of the causes of alienation.


She says they, knew very little of Nasila culture. They were childrenof 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 theirdaughters educated but at the same time are wary of the influence of education onthem. We are told that the sons of Nasila who got educated got alienated and hardlycame back home p.150 . There is a clash between formal education, which is anaspect of modern culture, with traditional Nasilian culture. This clash makes Nasilaculture 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 CONFLICTSeveral characters undergo cultural conflict or dilemma in the novel as a result ofencountering and embracing the modern culture. Nasila culture, which is part of thelarger Maa culture, is also in crisis as a result of clashing with modernity. 51Mama Milanoi, wife to Ole Kaelo, is at cultural crossroads. She is in dilemma as far asthe question of FGM is concerned. She understands the danger she would expose herdaughters in Nasila where there are both positive and negative cultural practices andwishes she could shield them and protect them p.30 . She knows this would not bepossible because Nasila people were very intolerant of those who ignored theircherished cultural sensibilities p.30 . She knows that she is in breach of Nasilatraditions by not having circumcised her daughters by then p.60 . While back in Nakuruand before her husband s retrenchment, Mama Milanoi admits that FGM was a nonissue in the family for She had regarded the practice as an archaic rite that had beendiscarded and forgotten. But there it was now, rearing its ugly head and threatening towreak havoc in the young innocent lives of her daughters p.63 .Mama Milanoi is torn between yielding her daughters to the barbaric culture and losingtheir faith, love and confidence and going against Nasila culture and becoming an alienin the clan. She fears doing anything that would wrong her husband and hence choosesto tread carefully around the matter.


While back in Nakuruand before her husband s retrenchment, Mama Milanoi admits that FGM was a nonissue in the family for She had regarded the practice as an archaic rite that had beendiscarded and forgotten. But there it was now, rearing its ugly head and threatening towreak havoc in the young innocent lives of her daughters p.63 .Mama Milanoi is torn between yielding her daughters to the barbaric culture and losingtheir faith, love and confidence and going against Nasila culture and becoming an alienin the clan. She fears doing anything that would wrong her husband and hence choosesto tread carefully around the matter. She comes out as a weak woman who shies fromdeclaring her stand on Nasila culture when she meekly tells her husband, Our culture iseverything and its rules, our lives p.61 . Her dutiful role of a faithful and obedient wifeto 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 againstpractices like FGM but then fears for her marriage, If she aligned herself with a personwho Nasila regarded as having such an obnoxious reputation, where would her marriagestand? P.62 . She even wonders whether as a family, they are traditionalists ormodernists especially by embracing retrogressive cultural values p.62 .Joseph is faced with cultural conflict when he falls in love with Taiyo who is from hisclan. His culture does not allow such a union and hence he is torn between loyalty tothat 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 itstenets? He considered running away from Nasila and its culture but that left a sour tastein his mouth. P.137 . He finally opts to stick by Nasila culture arguing that it was toovaluable to be abandoned in exchange of a woman s love. He finally resolves this52conflict by declining Taiyo s love p.137 .Ole Kaelo s alienation from his culture and embracing a culture that was neither modernnor traditional creates internal conflict in him. He is torn between marrying his daughterResian to Oloisudori or turning down his request, thereby losing his business.


He finally opts to stick by Nasila culture arguing that it was toovaluable to be abandoned in exchange of a woman s love. He finally resolves this52conflict by declining Taiyo s love p.137 .Ole Kaelo s alienation from his culture and embracing a culture that was neither modernnor traditional creates internal conflict in him. He is torn between marrying his daughterResian to Oloisudori or turning down his request, thereby losing his business. He keepswondering what sort of a man Oloisudori is and at some point, he has to assure himselfthat he is a morally upright man so that he can marry his daughter to him p.194 .FEMALE ASSERTIVENESSAt the centre of fighting retrogressive cultural practices is Resian, Taiyo and Minik eneNkoitoi 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 hersexuality while Taiyo says she would only be mutilated if only she were dead p.33 . Thisdeclaration sets the mood and tone in the rest of the novel where the girls fight variousindividuals that try to force them in taking a path they do not wish. Resian resists beingcircumcised 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 andunderage marriage p.262 . Her stand is that girl child circumcision should disappearfrom Maa language and regarded extinct and that Intoiye Nemengalana uncircumcisedgirl should stop being derogatory p.263 . Minik is bitter and angry about the continuedpractice 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 fightagainst such outdated practices. Her take is that there was need to plan newstrategies to battle the new monster that was rearing its ugly head p.269 . Resian hasa different way out of the problem. She believes that if all women said no to thedetestable culture, men would do nothing about it pp.277-278 .


Her take is that there was need to plan newstrategies to battle the new monster that was rearing its ugly head p.269 . Resian hasa different way out of the problem. She believes that if all women said no to thedetestable culture, men would do nothing about it pp.277-278 . Women who haveundergone F.G.M such as Minik and Nabaru agree that they are not different humanbeings hence downplaying its importance. Resian is opposed to cultural coaching by Joseph Parmuat. Her father observes thatthough they may find some cultural demands detestable, it is such practices that53nurtured and bound their people together p.71 . To Resian, the coaching is worthlessand 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 isuniversally beneficial to all mankind or be taught nothing p.73 . She is opposed toinformal education to girls meant to please men saying, I refuse to be taught to solelyplease male counterparts. They can also cook, and they can, and should also learn toplease us females p.77 . She is described as someone who knows her rights by hermother and that she would not allow anyone trample on them p.118 . Later, sheaccepts to be coached but only after Joseph introduces interesting topics such asthose of love. When Taiyo falls in love with Joseph, she does not care about what others or the culturesays about it. She boldly tells Joseph, No, I don t care about the oppressive Nasilaculture. Why should I care about violating the backward culture when it does not carewhen it violates my own rights? P.133 . She says this despite knowing very well thather culture does not allow inter-clan marriage. She assertively tells Joseph she does notcare 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 joinothers who share with her neo-cultural persuasion. The two girls are ready to fight and resist forced marriages and Oloisudori s advanceson them. They plan and succeed in 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 assertively tells Joseph she does notcare 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 joinothers who share with her neo-cultural persuasion. The two girls are ready to fight and resist forced marriages and Oloisudori s advanceson them. They plan and succeed in 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 ifyou think I am your wife. I can only be your wife over my dead body p.204 . She boldlytells her father that she would rather die than get married to a monster p.209 . WhenResian is abducted by Olarinkoi, she continues in her fighting and resisting spirit. Thewritersays, OlarinkoiandhisdemonicmothermayphysicallytakehertoTanzania take her as his wife physically circumcise her, but mentally she was going toresist She was going to refuse to be subdued she was going to physically resist p.230 . 54The song by the girls from Intapuka-e-Maa during Taiyo s and Resian s farewell party isfull of female assertion. They say they are proud to be uncircumcised and that theywould 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 youngpeople that are not ready to be daunted by retrogressive cultural practices. MORAL DECADENCEDespite the rich cultural setting of the novel, there are many cases of immoral conductor behavior that falls short of the morals of any society. This can be largely attributed tothe clash or encounter between the traditional culture and modern culture. Many evilsare perpetrated by Oloisudori and other characters with warped morality. Oloisudori is totally morally decayed. He engages in all sorts of vices in order to amasswealth. He is corrupt, immoral, an extortionist, a smuggler, a poacher, a blackmailer, athug and even a killer p.101, 236 .


Many evilsare perpetrated by Oloisudori and other characters with warped morality. Oloisudori is totally morally decayed. He engages in all sorts of vices in order to amasswealth. He is corrupt, immoral, an extortionist, a smuggler, a poacher, a blackmailer, athug and even a killer p.101, 236 . He is also suspected by Ole Kaelo to belong to thecult 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 fellowaway from your daughters p.26 . When Oloisudori meets Resian for the first time, hisamorous character is evident. He openly scans her body p.92 and cranes his neck towatch her p.95 . In his presence, Resian is uncomfortable for she felt from his looks asif her blouse was unbuttoned p.96 . She also feels as if he was caressing her entirebody with his hands against her will p.96 . He tells Ole Kaelo his intention to marry hisdaughter very callously and as if he was talking about a goat or a sheep p.110 . In hisfirst visit to Ole Kaelo s home, he took a long time washing his hands as he gloatinglypeered at her p.179 . He has no shame taking the hand of Resian and kissing itwithout her consent. He looks at her in a sexually suggestive manner his gazedeliberately dropped from her face to her bosom and lingered there p.203 . This isbefore he drops the bombshell; which is marrying her and making her the happiestwoman in East Africa. He shamelessly tells Kaelo of his intention to circumcise Resian55before marrying her. Ole Kaelo regards such talks as very abnormal between a father-inlaw and a would be son-in-law.


This isbefore he drops the bombshell; which is marrying her and making her the happiestwoman in East Africa. He shamelessly tells Kaelo of his intention to circumcise Resian55before marrying her. Ole Kaelo regards such talks as very abnormal between a father-inlaw and a would be son-in-law. From such immoral talk, Ole Kaelo believes that theworld had come to an end p.112 .Apart from Oloisudori, there are many other morally rotten characters in the novel suchas Olarinkoi warriors, Olarinkoi, and enkoiboni. The Olarinkoi warriors, who subdued theMaa for long, are morally rotten. They forced the Maa women to compose lewd songswhich 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 exploitthem sexually knowing that they were not able to resist their natural instinctivedesires p.86 .Taiyo and Resian s near rape by two men as they come from their father s shop inNasila points at moral decay in Nasila. P.140 . This incident causes the girls mentaltorture. 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 howeducated your body is p.221 . This is before physically assaulting and raping her aftershe passes out. The foul language that enkoiboni, the mother to Olarinkoi, addresses Resian with is fullof moral rottenness. Her language is full of abuses and bitterness. Enkabaani, Resian snurse does not support enkoiboni s foul language and urges Resian to ignore her. Shedoes not respect Resian s privacy when she feels her stomach with her hands to checkwhether she was pregnant. All this time, Resian seethed with anger at the blatantintrusion of her privacy and total disregard for her feelings p.235 .BETRAYALBetrayal is breaking of the trust that existed between individuals before. The greatestbetrayal in the novel is that of Ole Kaelo to his daughters.


Shedoes not respect Resian s privacy when she feels her stomach with her hands to checkwhether she was pregnant. All this time, Resian seethed with anger at the blatantintrusion of her privacy and total disregard for her feelings p.235 .BETRAYALBetrayal is breaking of the trust that existed between individuals before. The greatestbetrayal in the novel is that of Ole Kaelo to his daughters. On page one, we are told thatOle Kaelo refused to allow his daughter Taiyo to travel to Mombasa with other youngmen and women selected by an FM radio station for a music extravaganza pp.1-2 . Herefused to allow her saying that no daughter of his would so demean herself and herfamily as to perform in public in exchange of monetary gain p.45 . To him that would56be like engaging in harlotry. In addition, he betrays his daughters ambitions to joinEgerton 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 fromher birth. We are told that From the moment she was born, mute and helpless, hedetested her p.10 . This has contributed to Resian growing up sullen, bewilderedand resentful p.10 . He is biased in his treating of the two daughters for he does notlove her as he loves Taiyo. Taiyo admits this emotional betrayal: For reasons she didnot understand, she had always found their father strangely and harshly impatienttowards Resian p.34 . However, she knew that he despised her ever since she wasyoung p.173 . Ole Kaelo is strongly hateful and unappreciative of her: he wonderedwhere in the world they fetched that awkward, overblown, stupid child And the verylook in her eyes, half-fearful, half-defiant and wholly troubled, was always enough toraise his temper to the highest pitch p.41 . He also abuses her at the slightestprovocation. He tells her: While Taiyo works herself to the bone, she lazes about like anover-fed lizard in the hot afternoon sun! P.64 .


Ole Kaelo is strongly hateful and unappreciative of her: he wonderedwhere in the world they fetched that awkward, overblown, stupid child And the verylook in her eyes, half-fearful, half-defiant and wholly troubled, was always enough toraise his temper to the highest pitch p.41 . He also abuses her at the slightestprovocation. He tells her: While Taiyo works herself to the bone, she lazes about like anover-fed lizard in the hot afternoon sun! P.64 . He goes on Look at the way youslouch I ll not be surprised if you soon become a hunchback p.64 . Even her motherfails Resian for we are told: Even stranger was their mother s failure to come toResian s defense. It was as if her motherly instincts could not extend her protectivewings to cover Resian. Seeing her parents betrayal of her sister, Taiyo takes over tocomfort Resian and reassure her when hurt especially by her father. Her role in Resian slife is very important because she relies on her to make requests to their father on herbehalf for she cannot approach him directly. The case in point is her quest to joinuniversity which she keeps pestering Taiyo to ask their father to do on her behalf. Aparent that cannot communicate with his child has definitely failed in his parentalresponsibility. Ole Kaelo and Oloisudori mercilessly hatch a plan to abduct Resian and marry her offwithout her consent if she does not cooperate. The plan is If she declined, he wouldleave 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 57 p.192 . He is even ready to have her circumcised so that she can get married to a manshe does not even love. Mama Milanoi is not blameless because she is inwardlyopposed 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 hadalready sold her p.204 . This greatly shocks her because she never thought that herfather could go to the extent of selling her p.205 .


He is even ready to have her circumcised so that she can get married to a manshe does not even love. Mama Milanoi is not blameless because she is inwardlyopposed 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 hadalready sold her p.204 . This greatly shocks her because she never thought that herfather could go to the extent of selling her p.205 . He confirms the plan to marry her offto his friend Oloisudori and also shatters Resian s dream of enrolling as a student atEgerton University. He tells her: I thought about it alright, but decided that I am notsending you there! P.207 . This discovery makes her cry, accusing her father of hatredand betrayal by betrothing her to Oloisudori p.208 . Resian does not absolve hermother from blame for she believes she also failed her p.230 especially due to hersilence when all those plans against her were being devised. She reasons that hermother should not have been silent when her daughter was being sold to the highestbidder 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 threewomen 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 .


This discovery makes her cry, accusing her father of hatredand betrayal by betrothing her to Oloisudori p.208 . Resian does not absolve hermother from blame for she believes she also failed her p.230 especially due to hersilence when all those plans against her were being devised. She reasons that hermother should not have been silent when her daughter was being sold to the highestbidder 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 threewomen 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 cannotlose 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 ordealssaying She was an example of a wife they never wanted to become and that they knewshe was always in awe of their father who held her captive and never for once allowedher to express her own opinion on any matter however small it was p.277 .MATERIALISM GREED AND OPULENCEMaterialism is putting material possession before anything else in one s life while greedis insatiable want for material possessions. Opulence in this novel refers to exaggerateddisplay of wealth by characters. Ole Kaelo s house in Nasila is so magnificent that Mama Milanoi exclaims, Father of all58creation! This is but a dream p.30 . Taiyo says that the house is magnificent whileResian exclaims she had never seen anything like it before p.31 .He has furnished hisshop at Nasila extravagantly. We are told It was splendid, large and well stocked. Thed cor was discreetly and fashionably done while taking into consideration the kind ofcustomers that were expected p.65 . This is a show of extravagance and opulencewhich the rich in this society strongly believe are indications of a wealthy man.


We are told It was splendid, large and well stocked. Thed cor was discreetly and fashionably done while taking into consideration the kind ofcustomers that were expected p.65 . This is a show of extravagance and opulencewhich the rich in this society strongly believe are indications of a wealthy man. Taiyotells her ever critical sister: It s important that the shop displays a certain measure ofopulence 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 abusiness in Nasila. We are told that He had long realized the choice was betweenremaining a nobody; self-righteously and accepting, sensibly, that the man with the meatwas 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 andOloisudori 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 twodear daughters finally. Oloisudori has his hands on all sorts of businesses both legaland illegal. These are; agriculture, finance, tourism, import and export, mining and motortrade, extortion, poaching, smuggling and robbing p.101 . When he comes visiting OleKaelo, 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, Resianand Taiyo. P.178 . He also hands over a briefcase to Ole Kaelo which is later revealedto have contained a half a million shillings p.188 .Despite these ugly businesses, Ole Kaelo still deals with him in order to save hisbusiness from collapsing. He is not sure whether Oloisudori does not belong to a cultthat thrived on blackmail and extortion and which after helping a businessman grow hisbusiness, would come back making outrageous demands like sacrificing their belovedones to the gods of the cult p.107 .


P.178 . He also hands over a briefcase to Ole Kaelo which is later revealedto have contained a half a million shillings p.188 .Despite these ugly businesses, Ole Kaelo still deals with him in order to save hisbusiness from collapsing. He is not sure whether Oloisudori does not belong to a cultthat thrived on blackmail and extortion and which after helping a businessman grow hisbusiness, would come back making outrageous demands like sacrificing their belovedones to the gods of the cult p.107 . Despite knowing all these about him, Ole Kaelocomforts himself in order to defend the material path he has taken. The narratorobserves: He knew it was pursuit of success that made him interact with59Oloisudori .Success was attainment, fortune and prosperity; it was triumph and it gaveone 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 toOloisudori saying, Where else would he ever get such a business offer as the oneOloisudori had offered him p.165 . He decides that he is not ready to lose his businesspremises 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 toembrace 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 hadmuch ambition p.166 .When Ole Kaelo visits one of the homes of Oloisudori and the house he is building forResian, he falls instantly in love with the might of wealth that he witnesses. Ole Kaelo shouse is lavishly furnished and the writer says it must have been done by a personwhose 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 andMama Milanoi stupefied by its grandeur and magnificence p.190 .


In order to survive, he realized with finality, he had to change his attitude towards Oloisudori; he had toembrace 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 hadmuch ambition p.166 .When Ole Kaelo visits one of the homes of Oloisudori and the house he is building forResian, he falls instantly in love with the might of wealth that he witnesses. Ole Kaelo shouse is lavishly furnished and the writer says it must have been done by a personwhose 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 andMama 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 wouldturn down the offer to own the riches they saw in Oloisudori s home p.188 . He alsohopes that Taiyo, his other daughter would get a rich man to marry her and give himhefty sums of money just as Oloisudori had done. P.188 . After witnessing Oloisudori swealth, he decides that Resian must be married by Oloisudori and that he was notgoing to allow his daughter s ignorance to destroy her future p.191 . He so muchwants the marriage plan to work that he devises a plan with Oloisudori to abduct Resianby force if she did not cooperate p.191 .in fact they agree on usage of a anesthesia tomake her unconscious. The only saving grace that can prevent losing his business andhouse is the success of the marriage. He admits that, the success or failure of theevent would determine the fate of his business p.194 . He fears being reduced topoverty by Oloisudori and therefore, betrays his own daughter in exchange of materialpossessions. DETERMINATION OPTIMISM60Not 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 timeher dream is achieved is remarkable.


The only saving grace that can prevent losing his business andhouse is the success of the marriage. He admits that, the success or failure of theevent would determine the fate of his business p.194 . He fears being reduced topoverty by Oloisudori and therefore, betrays his own daughter in exchange of materialpossessions. DETERMINATION OPTIMISM60Not 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 timeher dream is achieved is remarkable. This determination is seen from the time they arein Nakuru to when they relocate to Nasila. As her father and family is busy packing sothat they can go to their rural home in Nasila, she tells her sister I don t want to work atthe shop I want to come back to Nakuru and join Egerton University. I want to take acourse in Veterinary Science and become a veterinary doctor p.4 . She keeps urgingher sister to talk to their father so that they can be enrolled at the university. To escapeFGM, she tells her sister: That s why it s imperative that you persuade Papaai to allowus go back to Nakuru and enroll at the university p.33 . She is worried that her fatherhad spent all the money in decorating the shop and left with nothing for their universityeducation p.65 . Sometimes, she would imagine herself admitted at the university and walking majestically with other students into one of those awesome lecturetheatres, while donning her academic regalia p.89 . After their near-rape by two youngmen, Resian tells Taiyo to use that incident to compel their father to take them touniversity p.144 .She dreams of graduating and getting a chance to work with Minik ene Nkoitoi, herlifelong role model. P.153 . She is determined to face Oloisudori and resist hisadvances on her. We are told that She had vowed to face the monster gallantly Shewas in the battle front and success or failure was in her hands p.200 . Her optimism tojoin university does not reduce even at her lowest moment when she realizes herfather s intention to marry her by force to Oloisudori.


She is determined to face Oloisudori and resist hisadvances on her. We are told that She had vowed to face the monster gallantly Shewas in the battle front and success or failure was in her hands p.200 . Her optimism tojoin university does not reduce even at her lowest moment when she realizes herfather s intention to marry her by force to Oloisudori. She says, If I don t die and live tobe eighty, I will still go to the university. I ll go to Egerton University, Papaai I hope youwill be there to witness my graduation p.210 .Even in her dream while held captive byOlarinkoi 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 girlagain p.244 . In the dream she fought both the enkamuratani and enkoiboni with amallet. Resian s determination to get university educated and resistance against FGM startbearing fruits when she and Nabaru reach Ntare-Naaju sheep ranch. She remembers61the 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 shewould ensure that she and Taiyo get enrolled at the university as they wanted. This isfulfilled when she brings them letters of admission to the university towards the end ofthe novel. The song that the girls from Intapuka-e-Maa sing is full of determination. Thegirls are proud of being uncircumcised and have hopes of being doctors, teachers andengineers and contribute in building the nation with men p.281 . Taiyo is determined tobe married by Joseph. She says she won t be dissuaded by Nasila culture that preventsinter-clan marriage saying, I cannot accept its verdict I am too, ready to face anyeventuality that may arise out of our love for one another p.134 .HELP BENEVOLENCEThe overcoming of difficult situations by some characters would not be possiblewithout help and benevolence from other characters. Some of these incidents of helpand benevolence, though coincidental, are very important in not only shaping characters lives but also in shaping the novel s plot.


Taiyo is determined tobe married by Joseph. She says she won t be dissuaded by Nasila culture that preventsinter-clan marriage saying, I cannot accept its verdict I am too, ready to face anyeventuality that may arise out of our love for one another p.134 .HELP BENEVOLENCEThe overcoming of difficult situations by some characters would not be possiblewithout help and benevolence from other characters. Some of these incidents of helpand 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 beassaulted sexually by two men, we are told, Suddenly and unexpectedly, a third mansprang out of the bushes like a ghost p.141 . This man is Olarinkoi and he is the onethat saves them by fighting the two men. The girls cannot imagine what would havehappened to them if he had not come at that moment p.142-143 . Later, it is the sameOlarinkoi who saves Resian from Oloisudori s men. His appearance is timely becauseResian 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 promisesto help Resian in whatever her plans are: I am willing to help you to do what you intendto do or go where you want to go once you are back onto your feet p.233 . She keepsher word by coming to rescue Resian when Olarinkoi s mother is just about to attackand have her circumcised p.246 .Further, Taiyo and Resian get help from Minik when she promises to have her enrolled62at Egerton University p.264 . She keeps her promise when she gives the two girlsletters of admission to the university. Resian also qualifies for a scholarship from theranch which is managed by Minik to fund her education. She in addition gives her a jobin the ranch, an advance salary, as well as a fully furnished house.


She keeps her promise when she gives the two girlsletters of admission to the university. Resian also qualifies for a scholarship from theranch which is managed by Minik to fund her education. She in addition gives her a jobin the ranch, an advance salary, as well as a fully furnished house. Resian is sincerelyappreciative of Minik s benevolence, saying, Your voice dear Emakererei is truly thevoice 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 healingof the two girls. We are told that with Nabaru s nursing care, Minik s encouragement andcounseling sessions from a teacher from Intapuka-e-Maa school, Taiyo is able to fullyrecover p.276 .MALE CHAUVINISMMale chauvinism refers to the feeling of superiority by men and their domineeringattitude over women in the society as a result of general male domination or patriarchyin a given society. Ole Kaelo is a male chauvinist. He beats his wife to submission tocoerce her follow his decisions without any resistance. When his wife reasons that theyshould think of the family interests first with regard to adhering to Nasila culture, heirritably asks her, What do you mean? P.61 . When she realizes that he is gettingangry, 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 playedin shaping their material lives, she admits that she would not have helped to separatehim from such a man because it Was the man who made decisions as to whichdirection their lives took p.114 .According to Resian, the ancient Ilarinkon were no different from the current ones. Sheis of the view that the current Ilarinkon are worse and that they are despotic oppressivetyrants 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 forcesResian to attend to and serve his friend Oloisudori when her mother says nothing aboutit.