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He is also, apoacher, smuggler, robber, extortionist and a hired assassin. He had survived10numerous jail terms and was now incorrigible. Due to the revelation, the girls fear fortheir father. When Oloisudori leaves, the countenance of Kaelo and Mama Milanoichanges; they are absent-minded and aloof even though Kaelo insists that everything isin control. Mama Milanoi even burns rice without realizing it. CHAPTER 8: TROUBLED COUPLEOloisudori s cruel demand, to marry Resian and organize the marriage of Taiyo rendersKaelo and Mama Milanoi a sleepless night. Although Kaelo knew Oloisudori s pastcriminal record, he still falls for his trap due to greed for wealth. Oloisudori s initial planwas to extort money from Kaelo but on noticing his two beautiful daughters he changedhis mind. Mama Milanoi suffers great pain and cries for the olden days when demandssuch as those of Oloisudori would be dealt with accordingly. Mama Milanoi recallsthrough flashback how women had invoked mass action on men in the past bydepriving men food, milk and beating them up while naked. She contrasts those timeswith the current times when Nasila River is polluted with chemicals. She fears thatOloisudori may kill her daughter. Despite the hard times the Kaelo s are experiencing,the following morning, the members manage to afford smiles as they take tea. Even theentrance of Olarinkoi does not dampen the high spirits embraced by the Kaelo s.CHAPTER 9: LOVEJoseph Parmuat begins a routine practice of coaching Taiyo and Resian on traditionalsongs and dances and the trio enjoy it immensely. Joseph Parmuat guards against anyuntoward behavior so as to conserve his integrity. The chapter then says a lot about theMaa Culture on different subjects. He explains different types of loves to the two girls;elangatare and patureishi. Resian boldly asks Joseph to be her patureishi but heexplains how it is impossible for that to happen due to Nasila cultural norms. Taiyo andResian question the rigidity of Nasila culture and traditions. |
The chapter then says a lot about theMaa Culture on different subjects. He explains different types of loves to the two girls;elangatare and patureishi. Resian boldly asks Joseph to be her patureishi but heexplains how it is impossible for that to happen due to Nasila cultural norms. Taiyo andResian question the rigidity of Nasila culture and traditions. They question somenegative practices like F.G.M Joseph clarifies that culture had dropped some negativepractices like throwing the dead and the dying to the hyenas, abandoning very old and illin deserted homesteads. In a flashback, Taiyo accounts for her love to Joseph. Itbegan on the day their father organized a homecoming celebration and since then shehas even visited Joseph in his house. Joseph also feels strong love to her but traditions11shields him from her. They think of falling in love and leaving for a far destination. Taiyo is ready but Joseph is prefers to abide by Nasila culture. CHAPTER 10: OLARINKOI VERSUS THE RAPISTSA cloud of apprehension hangs around the couple. Oloisudori does not turn up as hehad promised earlier. After procrastinating for some time they find it unbearable. Mother and father leave their home so as to consult their friends; the wife to Simirenand Ole Kaelo to Supeyo, on the issue touching on Oloisudori s callous demand to marryone of their daughters. The two girls go to the shop to have their lunch prepared by themanager, Maiso. On their return journey, they are attacked by two rude young men. Onobserving the two men, they realise one of the accosters was responsible for the earlierambush. The two young men are frightening for they are in possession of knobkerries. They attempt to rape them but luckily the girls are rescued by Olarinkoi. The girls cannotthank Olarinkoi enough. The two girls detest the two young men s behaviour. The girlsfeel terribly shaken. Resian feels she should leave Nasila for university. The incidentstrengthens Taiyo s resolve as a combatant in a war zone. CHAPTER 11: CHANGE OF ENVIRONMENTTaiyo and Resian wait for their parent s return to tell them of the near rape ordeal asthey were coming from their shop at Nasila. Ole Kaelo is very agitated on hearing thathis daughters were assaulted with the aim of being raped. |
Resian feels she should leave Nasila for university. The incidentstrengthens Taiyo s resolve as a combatant in a war zone. CHAPTER 11: CHANGE OF ENVIRONMENTTaiyo and Resian wait for their parent s return to tell them of the near rape ordeal asthey were coming from their shop at Nasila. Ole Kaelo is very agitated on hearing thathis daughters were assaulted with the aim of being raped. Their father storms out ofthe house while their mother asks them to go to Simiren s house to have a change ofenvironment. The girls are heartily welcomed at their uncle s home and that enables them to settlevery fast. They get used to the communal and polygamous running of affairs at theiruncle s home. They learn very many aspects of Nasila culture, both negative andpositive. They are told more about Minik ene Nkoitoi, the Emakererei and their rolemodel by one of Simiren s wives. They are told that she went to Makerere Universitywhere she studied veterinary medicine. They admire her opposition of negative Nasila12culture and say they would like to be like her. Through flashback, it is revealed thatResian s interest in vet medicine began when she and Taiyo accompanied their father toagricultural show in Nakuru and since then, she has admired the profession. Taiyoplans to compose a song with the help of Joseph Parmuat praising Minik and ridiculingthree women who still clung on retrogressive Nasilian culture. Later, they are asked toreturn home by their parents. A party, which their parents also attend, is held for themafter which they return home. CHAPTER 12: RETALIATIONOle Kaelo hits the road angry and bitter and complaining to all he meets about thebeastly attack on his daughter. He goes to the school where Joseph teaches andexplains the events heading to his anger. Joseph parades all pupils, and sends boysfrom the Ilmolelian clan to go and call their elder brothers and fathers to an urgentmeeting at Oerata plain. The search party narrows down on Lante son of Kanyira of Ilukumae clan and Ntara sonof Muyo, also of Ilukumae clan as the culprits. They decide to embark on a revengemission to prevent further provocation from the Illukumae clan. |
A party, which their parents also attend, is held for themafter which they return home. CHAPTER 12: RETALIATIONOle Kaelo hits the road angry and bitter and complaining to all he meets about thebeastly attack on his daughter. He goes to the school where Joseph teaches andexplains the events heading to his anger. Joseph parades all pupils, and sends boysfrom the Ilmolelian clan to go and call their elder brothers and fathers to an urgentmeeting at Oerata plain. The search party narrows down on Lante son of Kanyira of Ilukumae clan and Ntara sonof Muyo, also of Ilukumae clan as the culprits. They decide to embark on a revengemission to prevent further provocation from the Illukumae clan. The retaliation is doneby the young and old men from Iimolelian clan and the sympathizers from Limakesenclan. The search party comes across the two culprits who ran and fall under the feet oftwo old men begging for mercy. According to Nasila culture, a man is spared of anycrime if he hides his head between the legs of an old man. Nevertheless, they areclobbered, slapped and kicked by Kaelo and his men. It is realized after interrogationthat one of the offenders was related to Taiyo and Resian for he was son of MamaMilanoi s sisters. A cleansing ceremony is planned and Ole Kaelo is compensated forthe trauma he underwent. Ntara Muyo gives Taiyo and Resian each a heifer to removethe shame he caused them. Lante pays two heifers. Ole Kaelo continue to have mixed feelings about Oloisudori s plan to marry his daughter. He consoles himself that Oloisudori is not an ordinary man. And that his businesssuccess depended on him. Thus reasoning, he decides to go along with Oloisudori splan. He also dismisses negative rumours about Oloisudori assuring himself that his13daughter was lucky to get such a man. Meanwhile, the girls visit to the uncle s homehas greatly changed their outlook on life. |
Thus reasoning, he decides to go along with Oloisudori splan. He also dismisses negative rumours about Oloisudori assuring himself that his13daughter was lucky to get such a man. Meanwhile, the girls visit to the uncle s homehas greatly changed their outlook on life. It reduces their overreliance on their parents. They are finally happy that they are getting acceptance in the highly traditionalcommunity. CHAPTER 13: OLOISUDORI S GRAND VISITOloisudori changes his plans of coming for Resian in two weeks time and declares hewould do so the following day. He would be accompanied by his three friends andwants Resian to cook for them. Ole Kaelo asks Resian to remain at home and cook forthem instead of going to help plaster the kitchen of Teiyo Kiti with Taiyo as they hadplanned. She is not comfortable with the idea saying she fears Oloisudori and that he islike a monster. Her father hears none of her protestation. Resian seeks refuge in thegarden. She wonders why she has been chosen and not Taiyo. She finds injustice inthe way her father treated her unlike her sister Taiyo. Taiyo sympathizes with hersituation. She knows her father biasness in treating his daughters. She thinks that thecurrent demand from his father would make him hate her more. She blames the newculture that her father has immersed himself into as the cause of all her problems. Traditionally, a girl was shielded from men and it was rare for a girl to interact with men. Finally, Resian agrees to cook for the visitors after Taiyo is allowed to do it with her. Oloisudori arrives in a procession of four wheel drive vehicles. He is immaculatelydressed and so is his three friends. Taiyo starts sensing that he could be targeting hersister Resian. He gives each of the family members generous gifts including abriefcase to their father. Later after leaving, Taiyo talks to her father to get moreinformation about Oloisudori and his mission in their home but he reveals little. Afterfailing, she plans to ask him to enroll them at Egerton but she does not succeed. OleKaelo calls for his daughter Resian. He talks to her pleasantly and tells her he has goodnews for her. Resian misinterprets this thinking it s about being enrolled at theuniversity. |
Afterfailing, she plans to ask him to enroll them at Egerton but she does not succeed. OleKaelo calls for his daughter Resian. He talks to her pleasantly and tells her he has goodnews for her. Resian misinterprets this thinking it s about being enrolled at theuniversity. Finding that they are on different pages, he dismisses her and calls for hermother. CHAPTER 14: THE WEALTHY OLOISUDORI14Ole Kaelo and his wife visit one of Oloisudori s homes in Naivasha. He wanted them tosee the home he is building for their daughter so that they can easily convince her tomarry him. Oloisudori compares Resian with one of the legendary beauty in the landand this greatly flatters Ole Kaelo. He also compares her with lord Ngata an Englishlady who drove a legendary gentleman crazy but the lady finally refused to marry himhence making the gentleman hate women forever. He intends to rectify that by buildinga palatial home that she would not turn down. Oloisudori is even ready to enroll her as aparallel student at Egerton if she marries him. However, she must undergo circumcisionbefore he can marry her. Ole Kaelo regards Resian lucky and hopes his other daughterwould find such a rich man who could give him generous dowry. Ole Kaelo reminisces his journey with his wife to Oloisudori s palatial home in Naivashawith pleasure. He still remembers with awe the grandeur and magnificence of the houseOloisudori was building for Resian in Milimani area of Nakuru which made him decidethat Resian had to be married by Oloisudori come what may. Before parting, they hatcha plan of abducting Resian if she offers resistance and are very happy about it. His wifeis not very happy about the idea but has no option. She is unhappy that her daughterwould miss a chance of going to Egerton University. Ole Kaelo also seems at conflictbut keeps assuring himself that Oloisudori is a genuine man enjoying his own fruits oflabour. |
His wifeis not very happy about the idea but has no option. She is unhappy that her daughterwould miss a chance of going to Egerton University. Ole Kaelo also seems at conflictbut keeps assuring himself that Oloisudori is a genuine man enjoying his own fruits oflabour. Later, after a disturbed night, he has a dream in which Resian accepts to marryOloisudori without any resistance and that raises husband and wife s spirits. Resian and Taiyo hatch a plan of returning all gifts Oloisudori had given them in his nextvisit to show him they were not on sale. Resian receives Oloisudori warmly into theirhome and hands over the carton she and Taiyo had packed all his gifts. This catchesOloisudori by surprise and he is made to believe that the battle has been won. Hereveals his plans to marry her and she is shocked by the revelation. They have a nastyexchange of words with Resian telling him that she can only be his wife over her deadbody. Resian storms out of the house and confronts her father in his shop at Nasila. OleKaelo confirms his intention to marry her off to his friend and says he has no intentionof enrolling her to university. She has a nasty verbal exchange after which he slaps hertwice. She tells him he better kill her than hand her over to his friend, the monster. 15Their bitter exchange attracts a crowd outside the shop. Resian leaves in hurry andheads to the river where she contemplates committing suicide. Just then, Olarinkoicomes to what seems to be her rescue. She tells her that Oloisudori men are lookingfor her all over and that he can help her reach Minik s ranch. Resian agrees to the ideaand they plan to start off very early the following day. CHAPTER 15: THE REAL OLARINKOIAfter a sugarless breakfast served by a kind-hearted old woman, Resian and Olarinkoigets into a pick up to start their journey to Minik s ranch. The old woman gives Resian aleso and a blanket to cover herself with. At the beginning, she is very optimistic andhappy that finally her salvation has come. Later the hot weather and the bumpy ridemakes the journey very uncomfortable while dust, flies, mosquitoes and the fear of wildanimals haunt along the way. |
The old woman gives Resian aleso and a blanket to cover herself with. At the beginning, she is very optimistic andhappy that finally her salvation has come. Later the hot weather and the bumpy ridemakes the journey very uncomfortable while dust, flies, mosquitoes and the fear of wildanimals haunt along the way. On the way, Olarinkoi is aloof, he does not communicatewith Resian, but this does not bother her for her focus is to reach the ranch and meetMinik her mentor. The pick- up stops outside a mud plastered house with a rusty tin roof and Olarinkoiorders her to alight. He orders her to follow her into the desolate house which has tworooms Olarinkoi brings several foodstuffs he had brought with him in the pick-up, rudelygives Resian several instructions on how to cook a meal and leaves in a huff. Soon, shefalls asleep and dreams where she meets Minik who promises to enroll her as a studentat Egerton University and protect her from F.G.M. Her dream is interrupted by a loudbang on the door by Olarinkoi. He reprimands her for not cooking food and tells her sheis his wife. He proceeds to take her by force and a struggle ensues. Resian bites histhumb and in defense, he hits her on the ribcage making her pass out before proceedingto rape her. When consciousness returns, Resian realizes she was in a bed covered with bloody ragsand naked. She begins to have recollection of what happened but cannot go beyondbiting Olarinkoi s thumb. She faints again and sees alternating images of both Olarinkoiand Oloisudori. When she regains consciousness, she notices another woman who shehad been seeing in her hallucinations in the room. The woman is called Nabaru and is16the nurse that has been treating her. One evening after she is able to walk on her feet,Olarinkoi s mother comes and admonishes her for biting her son s thumb and abusesher for being uncircumcised. She reveals that she intends to have her circumcised afterrecovering and that she and Olarinkoi would go to Tanzania to start their marriage. |
The woman is called Nabaru and is16the nurse that has been treating her. One evening after she is able to walk on her feet,Olarinkoi s mother comes and admonishes her for biting her son s thumb and abusesher for being uncircumcised. She reveals that she intends to have her circumcised afterrecovering and that she and Olarinkoi would go to Tanzania to start their marriage. Thenurse comes when she is deep in thoughts and tells her that Olarinkoi s mother is anenkoiboni, a prophet and had prophesied that her son would bring one of Ole Kaelo sdaughter home, circumcise her and make her his wife. The nurse tells her she hasadmired her courage and is ready to help her out in whatever plans she has. The newsgives Resian a new surge of hope. CHAPTER 16: HELPResian has a life full of torment at Olarinkoi s home from insects, reptiles as well asfrom the old enkoiboni. The Enkoiboni has a lot of bitterness directed to the well to do in the society such as Oloisudori. Nabaru informs Resian she is under a lot ofpressure from Enkoiboni to have her recover so that she can undergo the initiation ritual. Resian pleads with her to take her to Emakererei s ranch which Nabaru agrees to. When her health improves a little bit, Resian starts venturing out of the homestead. Shekeeps the company of some two young women who were married early. Olarinkoi reappears after disappearing for several days and tries to ask for forgiveness from Resianand even assures her that he would never molest her sexually again. He discloses thatthey plan to have her circumcised in two days time so that he can marry her. After therevelation, Resian realizes that her only hope is in Nabaru. She waits for her eagerly butdoes not come that evening. She has a dream in which she fights the enkamuratani whowants to circumcise her, enkoiboni and when she is about to attack Nabaru, her dreamis cut short by somebody calling out her name. Resian at first is unable to stand to openthe door for Nabaru but after great effort, she reaches the door and opens it beforecollapsing. |
She waits for her eagerly butdoes not come that evening. She has a dream in which she fights the enkamuratani whowants to circumcise her, enkoiboni and when she is about to attack Nabaru, her dreamis cut short by somebody calling out her name. Resian at first is unable to stand to openthe door for Nabaru but after great effort, she reaches the door and opens it beforecollapsing. Nabaru administers some medicine through her mouth and she regainsconsciousness. The two women escape from the advancing enkoiboni, Olarinkoi andthe enkamuratani. As they walk to the main road to board a lorry, they experience a bigchallenge, the heavy rain. Olarinkoi catches up with them as the lorry is about to leave,exchanges assaulting words with the two women before leaving him standing in the rain. 17Finally, they reach the sheep ranch were Minik ene Nkoitoi is the manager, and the placewhere she so longed to go. Resian is very grateful for Nabaru s sacrifices to save herfrom Olarinkoi saying that only God could repay her for her love and kindness. Threemotorbikes catch up with them as they wait for their lorry to cool down. One of theriders is Minik who also recognizes Resian having seen her picture in the papers whichadvertised her disappearance and promised a big reward to whoever would find her. Minik orders the driver to take her to the farm so that they can talk more. Resian is nowtowards the end of a torturous journey; homestretch as the lorry heads to the station. CHAPTER 17: THE PROMISEResian finds Minik sitting on the veranda of her spacious house. She is awed by herpresence for she reminds her of her high school Principal. She welcomes Nabaru andResian into her glamorous and elegant house. After bathing, she tells Minik the eventsleading to her present state. She discloses she has always admired Minik, wanted tomeet her and wanted to study veterinary medicine which Minik herself did at MakerereUniversity. |
She welcomes Nabaru andResian into her glamorous and elegant house. After bathing, she tells Minik the eventsleading to her present state. She discloses she has always admired Minik, wanted tomeet her and wanted to study veterinary medicine which Minik herself did at MakerereUniversity. She also tells her that she would like to join her in the fight against FGM.Minik observes that some cultural practices like F.G.M and emuata had outlived theirusefulness and should cease being part of Maa s culture. Nabaru promises to joinMinik in fighting the practice Minik also promises to have Taiyo and Resian enrolled atEgerton University, their lifelong dream. She also promises Resian a scholarship andgives her a fully furnished house and a job in the ranch for the duration she would bestudying at the universityCHAPTER 18: SISTERS REUNIONOn her fifth day in the ranch one mid-morning, a vehicle that Minik had sent on a rescuemission comes in the ranch. Minik goes to see the girl s condition and later sends forResian. Resian is gripped by anxiety and apprehension on finding Minik angry. Minik isangry at the new culture brought by wealth where men would like young girls andforcefully circumcise them hence lowering their esteem. She narrates the case aboutthe girl. She tells Resian the girl s rescue was not easy for the home where she wascircumcised was heavily guarded and after luring the guards, they were able to rescue18her but unfortunately, the man who assisted in rescuing the girl was speared to death bythe thugs. She tells Resian that the rescued girl was her sister and the killed man wasJoseph Parmuat a teacher. Through recollections, Taiyo remembers how her mother lured her to accompany threewomen promising they would take her to Resian. When they got to Esoit village shewas abandoned in a smoky hut and in the morning was forcefully circumcised. Afterthat she went through several hallucinations. Resian goes to her room and the sistershug and kiss passionately. The reunion of the two girls is very emotional. Taiyo slowlyrecovers with the help of Minik, nursing care of Nabaru and counseling by a teacher. Taiyo fully recovers, she and her sister discuss their dark past events. |
Resian goes to her room and the sistershug and kiss passionately. The reunion of the two girls is very emotional. Taiyo slowlyrecovers with the help of Minik, nursing care of Nabaru and counseling by a teacher. Taiyo fully recovers, she and her sister discuss their dark past events. They blame theirmother for accepting to agree to everything their father said. They vow not to besubservient to their male counterparts. They also blame women for the perpetuation ofF.G.M arguing that if all women said no to the practice, men would do nothing about it. As the chapter comes to a close, Taiyo is advised to accept what has happened to herand move on. She is also advised to ensure in future her children do not go through asimilar experience. The three ladies agree that if they stand by their position theprimitive culture would end. CHAPTER 19: DREAM FULFILLEDMinik calls for Taiyo and Resian later in August that year. She discloses that thecontents of the two envelopes she has are about their admission in Egerton University. The girls are elated by the news. Minik organizes a farewell party for the girls. Sheinvites many workers and girls to come and celebrate with the girls. The girls fromIntapuka-e-Maa sing a song that seeks to empower and energize them in theirresistance of outdated cultural practices. In the song, they condemn F.G.M and envisionthemselves as great professionals just like men in the nation. As they sing, Oloisudoricomes in a convoy of vehicles to demand to be given either Resian or Taiyo arguing thathe has already paid enough to have them both. Minik tells him to leave the place for hewould have none of the girls. Oloisudori starts insulting Minik calling her a spinster who lost a chance to get married19and now masquerades as an FGM crusader. Oloisudori orders his men to take Resianby force and a vicious fight ensues between the ranch s workers and Oloisudori s men. Oloisudori s convoy is burnt to the ground and he and his men ran for their lives after athorough clobbering. On 5th September the following day, Resian and Taiyo are full of happy sensation asthey climb the four wheel drive vehicle belonging to Minik to go to Egerton University,their Nirvana. |
As they sing, Oloisudoricomes in a convoy of vehicles to demand to be given either Resian or Taiyo arguing thathe has already paid enough to have them both. Minik tells him to leave the place for hewould have none of the girls. Oloisudori starts insulting Minik calling her a spinster who lost a chance to get married19and now masquerades as an FGM crusader. Oloisudori orders his men to take Resianby force and a vicious fight ensues between the ranch s workers and Oloisudori s men. Oloisudori s convoy is burnt to the ground and he and his men ran for their lives after athorough clobbering. On 5th September the following day, Resian and Taiyo are full of happy sensation asthey climb the four wheel drive vehicle belonging to Minik to go to Egerton University,their Nirvana. They think of ways to repay Minik for her kindness but all in all agree thatit is well that ends well. CHAPTER TWOCHARACTERS AND CHARACTERISATIONA character is a fictitious personage created by a novelist in order to convey an idea. Characterization is the process of selecting suitable characters that suit specific roles bythe novelist. Characters are of many types: main, minor, shadow, protagonist, antagonistdepending on their role and significance. With themes and style, they form the basictriangle in literary work. The three questions answered by the three basic aspects arewhat, how and who. The question answered by character and characterization is who .In this novel, the protagonist, the character every reader would wish to be like, is Resian. The family of Kaelo is a key family; Kaelo, Mama Milanoi and Taiyo. Close people to thisfamily like Oloisudori, Olarinkoi, and Joseph Parmuat are equally key characters in thisnovel. There are still other characters that help in anchoring thematic concerns, the plotand style and they include: Simiren, his wives especially Yeiyoo Botorr and yeiyoo-kiti, OleSupeyo, Nabaru, Minik, the enkamuratani and enkoiboni. Parsimei Ole KaeloHe is the husband to Mama Milanoi and father to Taiyo and Resian. |
The question answered by character and characterization is who .In this novel, the protagonist, the character every reader would wish to be like, is Resian. The family of Kaelo is a key family; Kaelo, Mama Milanoi and Taiyo. Close people to thisfamily like Oloisudori, Olarinkoi, and Joseph Parmuat are equally key characters in thisnovel. There are still other characters that help in anchoring thematic concerns, the plotand style and they include: Simiren, his wives especially Yeiyoo Botorr and yeiyoo-kiti, OleSupeyo, Nabaru, Minik, the enkamuratani and enkoiboni. Parsimei Ole KaeloHe is the husband to Mama Milanoi and father to Taiyo and Resian. He is a retrenched20commercial manager of Agribix Limited Company situated in Nakuru. StrictAs the bread winner of the family and a senior officer at the work place Kaelo developsa strict character. As the novel begins, he is reprimanding the loaders of a lorry p.1 . Hedenies Taiyo permission to travel to Mombasa with other young men and women toattend an extravaganza. He thinks Taiyo s exposure to music extravaganza wouldmake her a harlot p.45 . Taiyo tells Resian they hurry to the lorry before father spoilstheir day with his sharp tongue p. 5 . He also denies Resian a chance to go to theuniversity saying her education is enough yet his aim is to enjoy the money p.207 . Heterms Resian as stupid and myopic for insisting on going to school. P.207 . Hisdaughters fear to report the heinous incident when they are accosted by a callous youngman p.20 . When he is away, the house is joyous and comfortable. P.35 . The momentResian sees him, she becomes clumsy and breaks a glass p.40 . During thehomecoming ceremony, he sends a corrosive glance at Taiyo when Joseph approachesher. P.48 . |
The momentResian sees him, she becomes clumsy and breaks a glass p.40 . During thehomecoming ceremony, he sends a corrosive glance at Taiyo when Joseph approachesher. P.48 . When their father comes at the sitting room, Taiyo and Resian disappear tothe kitchen p.69 Commanding short temperedHe commands the loaders violently p.1 .Taiyo knew the sting of her father s tongue. P.1 When a lorry breaks down during relocation, he fuses, curses and muttersexpletives p.10 .When Resian becomes clumsy and almost breaks the glass he winces,grimaces and struggles to control himself p 40 .When mama Milanoi shows herdilemma about whether the girls should be circumcised or not, Kaelo commands, Youmust immediately start counseling the girls p.61 . After Supeyo fails to take him toOloisudori, he gets very annoyed. He shouted in a thunderous booming voice p.46 . Onlearning that her girls were accosted he takes a sword and froths trembling p.147 .Hefuriously pursues the men who had accosted his daughters p.159 .HatefulHe detests Resian from the moment she is born. When she shows early signs ofmaturity he declares to himself the earlier we disposed of her, the better p.10 . This21clearly shows his disregard to his own blood. Mama Milanoi attests that Kaelo hadscolded and bullied her like half-witted child p.29 . He wonders where in the world theyfetched that awkward, overblown, stupid Resian. P.40 . When they make an accidentwith Resian at the door he curses, Have you run amok? P.96 . This is a disregard ofthe delicate emotional little girl. He brutally slaps Resian for not co-operating withOloisudori p.209 He gets dowry from Oloisudori without even informing his daughters p.209 .This is great disregard to Resian for she is the one expected to be in themarriage yet he does not inform her that he has picked dowry. HardworkingKaelo remembers how while young he worked himself to the bone preparing for hisfuture p.8 . |
When they make an accidentwith Resian at the door he curses, Have you run amok? P.96 . This is a disregard ofthe delicate emotional little girl. He brutally slaps Resian for not co-operating withOloisudori p.209 He gets dowry from Oloisudori without even informing his daughters p.209 .This is great disregard to Resian for she is the one expected to be in themarriage yet he does not inform her that he has picked dowry. HardworkingKaelo remembers how while young he worked himself to the bone preparing for hisfuture p.8 . He believes the way to the stars is hard work p.8 . Hard work had seenhim through the ranks from a clerk to the coveted position of a manager p.9 . Hesucceeds in whatever he puts his hands in p.29 . He goes to Nakuru to work andreturns to Nasila with wealth p.38 . While organizing for the homecoming event, hewakes up at cock crow. Mama Milanoi informs Yeiyo-Botorr that Kaelo is hard-workingand that Taiyo resembles him p.76 .SexistA sexist person is that who discriminates on grounds of sex. Right from the time Resianis born, he detests her for she is not male. It is unfair for a child is always innocent. Inthis case she did not participate in her birth. He uses abusive language on Resian mostof the time. He instructs Joseph to coach her girls on traditional dances. Resian arguesthat if they were males their father would not have got them a trainer. It had been hisprayer to get at least three boys p.9 .Chauvinistic egocentricTaiyo is his pride. When she is born, Kaelo proofs his fatherhood p.10 . But when hegets the second girl, he is disappointed. 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 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. |
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. He orders: You have to be there it is important to me that you are there p.171 .Olarinkoi s chauvinism is seen in his changed attitude towards Resian when he takesher to his house far from Nasila. He tells her, You woman You can either cook or keep63standing stupidly or die of hunger and Resian stared at the man who seemed to havesuddenly turned from a person she had known for quite some time, to a beast p.218 .He later molests her sexually after returning drunk. Oloisudori is a male chauvinist. Thisis seen in his address to Resian when she refuses his marriage offer. He tells her Youcan never escape Resian Whether you scream your heart out, or jump into the deepsea you are mine. You are my wife from now henceforth p.204 . He arrogantly tellsher: No one plays games with Oloisudori. Ask your father, he will tell you p.204 . Addmore illustrations .GENDER INEQUALITYMen and women are not equal in this novel. Women s position is lower than that of menwho dominate over everything and suppress women. This is especially seen at thefamily level where the husband is the sole decision maker and the wife just acceptsthose decisions without question. Ole Kaelo has a very easy time courting and marryinghis wife. A woman is not supposed to resist a man who wants to marry her as perNasilian tradition whether she loves him or not. |
This is especially seen at thefamily level where the husband is the sole decision maker and the wife just acceptsthose decisions without question. Ole Kaelo has a very easy time courting and marryinghis wife. A woman is not supposed to resist a man who wants to marry her as perNasilian tradition whether she loves him or not. We are told She accepted him withoutany resistance. Tradition did not allow her to offer any and as expected of her, she didnot resist p.29 . Mama Milanoi is an unequal marriage partner to Ole Kaelo. She leavesdecision making to her husband and does not oppose any of his decisions. She refusesto be drawn into the discussion about the coaching of her daughters by Joseph saying It was Taiyo s father s territory p.56 .Mama Milanoi cannot oppose him for in herculture there was no room for dissent, especially if the subject was in conformity withthe culture p.61 .In this society, women had no say. It was a patriarchal society where the Emakerereiand her ilk were fighting to find relevance with little success p.62 . Such genderimbalance uplifts the man over the woman. In their case, it leaves Ole Kaelo with thesole responsibility of making final decisions on all matters affecting the family. We arealso told that Mama Milanoi has been held captive by her husband who never foronce allowed her to express her own opinion on any matter however small it was p.277 . This suppression has prevented her from speaking her mind and opposing thesubjection of her daughters to outdated cultural practices. Resian is opposed to her64father s hiring of Joseph to coach them about Nasilian culture. She says I am beginningto think it is disadvantageous being a woman in this society p.73 . She finds fault withthe plan reasoning that if they were sons, they would not be subjected to such culturalcoaching. Resian regrets living in a society where men thought they had right to everywoman s body p.143 . This is after their near-rape by two men. Such unjustified rightsemanate from the fact that men deem themselves as superior to women and can dowhatever they want with women. CHANGEChange refers to transition or transformation of characters or situations. |
Resian regrets living in a society where men thought they had right to everywoman s body p.143 . This is after their near-rape by two men. Such unjustified rightsemanate from the fact that men deem themselves as superior to women and can dowhatever they want with women. CHANGEChange refers to transition or transformation of characters or situations. Most of thechanges in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah are caused by the erosion of the Maaculture as a result of its coming into contact with modern culture or civilization. Thiscauses alienation in characters and as a result they change. The Ole Kaelos are forced by destiny to relocate to Nasila after his retrenchment. Thiscame as a thunderbolt at midday p.7 . The environment in Kaelo s new home in Nasilais different from that in their urban home in Nakuru. Taiyo and Resian are woken up thefirst day in Nasila by a lively chatter of birds in the trees surrounding the house Whata contrast to what they were used to in Nakuru! P.14 . In Nakuru, they were alwayswoken up by hoots from Matatus, touts shouts, engine revving and banging on vehicles. Nasila culture is changing due to alienation. Mama Milanoi cannot believe she can havea man as old as Oloisudori as her mother-in-law. She observes that in the past, such athing would not have happened for Culture would not have allowed it to happen p.114 . She feels that if Nasila culture was intact, such a thing would not havehappened and she wonders where that culture had fled to Had the culture becomemoribund, useless and impotent? P.117 This could be true because forced marriagesto old people were not there in the past and any old man who showed interest in ayoung girl was met with much retribution from women and the entire society. Pp.115117 . The traditional Nasilian culture had many advantages to the people. It regulatedlives of people, defined relationships, did not favour or discriminate and above all, wascherished by all. Sadly, according to Mama Milanoi, this culture was no more. |
The traditional Nasilian culture had many advantages to the people. It regulatedlives of people, defined relationships, did not favour or discriminate and above all, wascherished by all. Sadly, according to Mama Milanoi, this culture was no more. It was65defiled and polluted by the likes of Oloisudori had become mutable and containeddefiant mutants that it could not regulate and which were above Nasila laws p.118 .One of the causes of this great change in Nasila culture is education for Mama Milanoigoes on to observe that she had seen changes in her daughters. They had gonethrough a school system that intermingled them with children from other cultures. P.118 . As a result, her children know very little of Nasila culture. They were children ofa new undefined culture. Theirs was a mutant of another kind p.118 . Indeed, Resianbest exemplifies the epitome of this new undefined culture. Joseph Parmuat observes that Individualism, petty jealousy and lack of trust killed thatonce important aspect of Nasila culture p.127 . The individualism of the likes of OleKaelo and Oloisudori are very central in eroding the culture of Nasila hence bringingmany changes in the society. According to Taiyo, culture and traditions are never static. She says, By being dynamic, culture shades off aspects that become irrelevant withtime p.128 . She hopes that the outdated FGM and restriction on inter-clan marriageshould be abolished from Nasila cultural practices. Joseph and Minik cites culturalpractices like throwing the dead to the hyenas, leaving the elderly and sick in desertedhomesteads to be devoured by wild animals and emuata pp.128, 263 . This ascertainsthe dynamism and transformational characteristic of Nasilian culture over the years anaspect that gives hope to fighters against outdated practices such as F.G.M.LOVE, MARRIAGE AND FAMILYOle Kaelo has effectively played his role as a father by providing and putting up a housefor his family in Nasila. The house he has built for his family in Nasila is so magnificentthat Mama Milanoi exclaims, Father of all creation! This is but a dream p.30 . Taiyosays that the house is magnificent while Resian exclaims she had never seen anythinglike it before p.31 . |
The house he has built for his family in Nasila is so magnificentthat Mama Milanoi exclaims, Father of all creation! This is but a dream p.30 . Taiyosays that the house is magnificent while Resian exclaims she had never seen anythinglike it before p.31 . At another level, both parents fail in their emotional obligations toone of their daughters, Resian. Ole Kaelo for instance has instilled fear in her such thatthere is no free interaction between father and daughter, has hated her from birth, keepsreprimanding her, abuses her and finally greatly betrays her by conspiring to marry heroff to his friend Oloisudori pp. 206-210 and when this aborts, he turns to his favoritedaughter Taiyo but not before he has her forcefully circumcised p.273 . The hitherto66good and peaceful family especially when he was in Nakuru has fallen apart at the endof the novel due to his greed for wealth. In the traditional Nasilian culture, love is not entirely a prerequisite to marriage. Although Ole Kaelo was smitten with love for Mama Milanoi the first time he saw her inthe church, her feelings for him are not required for them to marry. We are told that From the moment he saw her, he had been obsessed and he was still obsessed twentytwo years later p.9 . On his wife s side, we are told, She accepted him without anyresistance. Tradition did not allow her to offer any and as expected of her, she did notresist p.29 . What she considers is his character. We are told she knew he was a goodman, a great provider, a planner and a man with the will to succeed. She also knew heloved her genuinely p.29 . He continues loving his wife many years after their marriageshowing his satisfaction with her. When he wakes up he says, Oh, did he not have awife there. He was elated p.59 .Simiren, brother to Ole Kaelo, is a polygamist but he treats all his wives equally. It wasonly yeiyo-botorr, who occupied a special position in the home and who received favourfrom her husband without anyone frowning. Communal life, selflessness, and respectcharacterize this family and there are few disagreements and disputes. |
He was elated p.59 .Simiren, brother to Ole Kaelo, is a polygamist but he treats all his wives equally. It wasonly yeiyo-botorr, who occupied a special position in the home and who received favourfrom her husband without anyone frowning. Communal life, selflessness, and respectcharacterize this family and there are few disagreements and disputes. The family ingeneral is a haven of peace, a thing that makes Resian and Taiyo admire traditional wayof life in their uncle s polygamous marriage p.154 .Taiyo puts love first before cultural dictates on who one should marry. Their culturedoes not allow inter-culture marriage but nonetheless, she falls in love with JosephParmuat, who belongs to her own clan and hence they are not allowed to marry. Taiyo isassertive enough for she is the one who approaches Joseph saying, I know you are inlove with me the way I am in love with you p.133 . Joseph reciprocates her love forhim saying, I loved you the moment I saw you during your father s homecomingceremony p.134 . When Resian asks Joseph to be her Patureishi, he says that culturedoes not allow it for she is like his sister p.127 .Taiyo loves her sister so much that shehas stepped in to fill the vacuum that has been left in Resian s heart due to her parent scold attitude towards her. Resian has relied on her sister for protection since primary67and Taiyo has made it her duty to mop her tears p.34 .SUFFERINGThere are several characters who suffer in the hands of the blunt Nasilian culture. Resian is slapped by her father for refusing to marry Oloisudori. After this, sheundergoes a series of mental and physical suffering. She suffers as she is transportedto the assumed Minik s Sheep ranch by Olarinkoi. At night during the journey, she fearsattack of wild animals. She also had a layer of dust in her mouth, in her nostrils, in herears and on her eyelashes p.215 . She suffers in the hands of Olarinkoi and his mother. She is physically assaulted by Olarinkoi until she passes out after which he proceeds torape her. After the sexual assault, she falls sick and has hallucinations. |
She also had a layer of dust in her mouth, in her nostrils, in herears and on her eyelashes p.215 . She suffers in the hands of Olarinkoi and his mother. She is physically assaulted by Olarinkoi until she passes out after which he proceeds torape her. After the sexual assault, she falls sick and has hallucinations. We are told thatwhen she later came to, confused fleeting impressions registered on her awareness p.223 .Taiyo also suffers the blunt of archaic retrogressive Nasilian culture. She is forcedagainst her will to undergo FGM. During the painful rite, we are told She screamed andscreamed, but nobody came to her rescue. Then she fainted. When she came to, twodays later, she was sore, bitter and angry p.273 .RELIGION AND SUPERSTITIONSDuring the homecoming party of Ole Kaelo, an elder is expected to bless his homebefore Ole Kaelo can be received back in Nasila. We are told The elders would alsobless the wife, children and property that he brought back and which were all henceforthgoing to be the wealth of the Ilmolelian clan p.38 . The ceremony is conducted by OleMusanka who is to conduct the sacred ceremony of officially receiving him into theIlmolelian culture and offer blessings for his family s well-being p.50 . Apart fromblessing Ole Kaelo, the elder had special blessing for Taiyo. He even prophecies thatshe would be the mother of the next leader p.52 . This man also curses Emakererei, thewasp, whose real name is Minik for fighting F.G.M. He says May she go down with thesetting sun p.52 . 68Teiyo Bottor, Resian and Taiyo s aunt tell their mother that their daughter Resian hasOlkuenyi, a bad spirit and it is only circumcision that could get rid of it p.78 . MamaMilanoi remembers that when she was young, diseases were treated through a bloodletting ceremony known as angam. Several nicks were made on the ailing sections ofthe body and the blood sucked out p.79 . Curses are indications of the superstitiousnature of this community. The Enkoiboni, is a diviner. |
Several nicks were made on the ailing sections ofthe body and the blood sucked out p.79 . Curses are indications of the superstitiousnature of this community. The Enkoiboni, is a diviner. It is said that she had prophesiedthat Ole Kaelo would move to Nasila with his two uncircumcised daughters and that hisson would go to live in that home and finally bring with him one of Ole Kaelo s daughterto be circumcised before marrying her. Going by that, it is evident that her propheciesand predictions are true p.232 . As Nabaru and Resian escape from Olarinkoi, Olarinkoicurses her saying, My mother s curse will find you there p.249 . He also boasts thathis mother s predictions always come to pass p.250 .WOMEN AS THEIR OWN ENEMIESMuch as the modern woman opposes retrogressive cultural practice such as F.G.M,majority of women support these practices. Mama Milanoi is in support of F.G.M evenas her daughters fight to resist the harmful practice. The writer puts: Did she notsupport female genital mutilation that was prevalent among her people in Nasila? P.63 . Despite being a woman, she betrays her daughter by giving her over to theenkamuratani to be circumcised pp.272-273 . She also keeps quiet and does not speakto oppose her husband s plans to marry off her daughters to an old man. This is despitethe fact that she is inwardly opposed to the whole idea. According to Maa oral tradition,it was women who came up with the idea of F.GM. They made a lasting resolution tosexual exploitation of women by the Olarinkoi and that gave rise to enkamuratani. Andher olmurunya was shaped, sharpened and handed to her p.87 . The same practicethat was useful then comes to haunt young girls such as Taiyo and Resian. Nabaru also finds fault with the Maa women. She believes that they were theperpetrators of FGM and that no woman had taken up the olmurunya to circumcise agirl. P.277 . Resian says that if all women said no to the detestable culture, men woulddo nothing and the practice would stop p.278 . |
She believes that they were theperpetrators of FGM and that no woman had taken up the olmurunya to circumcise agirl. P.277 . Resian says that if all women said no to the detestable culture, men woulddo nothing and the practice would stop p.278 . However, women are not speaking inone voice hence it has becomes very difficult to fight cultural practices that harms them. 69Olarinkoi s mother also greatly serves in oppressing fellow women. She is planning tohave Resian circumcised before she can be married by her son. The three women thatTaiyo composes a song to ridicule also serve in oppressing women. We are told thatthey collaborated with men to oppress women p.153 .WAR VIOLENCEThe traditional Maa community in which the novel is set takes pride in engaging inexternal battles and wars to protect their territory or as an economic undertaking. Thereare many cases of violence reported in the clan. One remarkable war is that between Olarinkoi and Maa warriors that led to the Maapeople being ruled for many years. After many years under the Ilarinkon rule, we are toldthat the Maa people eventually revolted and overthrew the Olarinkoi despotic rule p.87 . Ole Kaelo attacks his daughter Resian for refusing to cooperate in his plan tohave her married to Oloisudori. After a moment of frozen immobility, her fathersuddenly pushed his chair, moved fast from behind the desk and slapped her face,sending her reeling back so that she almost fell p.209 .The fight between the girls at Minik s ranch and Oloisudori s men ends the protractedoppression of the man on Kaelo s daughters. We are told that his convoy wasreduced to smoldering shells and acrid smell of burning tyres p283 . There is also afight between Olarinkoi and the men that wanted to rape Resian and Taiyo. The braveryof Olarinkoi saves the girls from being raped. When the two young men are caught up byOlarinkoi and his men, they are beaten up before being spared. Women are also violent. The case in point is the old man they punish for being infatuated by a young girl. |
The braveryof Olarinkoi saves the girls from being raped. When the two young men are caught up byOlarinkoi and his men, they are beaten up before being spared. Women are also violent. The case in point is the old man they punish for being infatuated by a young girl. We aretold Then all the women proceeded to the homestead of the accused, armed with allkinds of weapons that included firewood and their husbands knobkerries p.115 .They go on to beating him thoroughly and stripping him naked p.116 . Finally, thisman dies and the women feel satisfied that they have avenged their anger. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON THEMES1. Explain four good aspects of Nasilian culture. 702. Discuss four cases of culture conflict in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah.3. Identify and illustrate instances of alienation in the novel.4. Determination is the key to success. Write a detailed composition to illustrate thestatement.5. Resian, Taiyo and Minik are justified in their fight against FGM because many culturalpractices have been abandoned. Do you agree? Support your answer with illustrationsfrom the novel.6. Illustrate cases of betrayal in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah and their impacton characters.7. Discuss four evils present in a morally decadent society. CHAPTER FOURLANGUAGE AND STYLEThe language used in literature is different from that used in other disciplines. Languagein literature goes a notch higher because it is not only used originally but alsoinnovatively. This contributes to aesthetics or beauty in literary texts hence appealing tothe readers. Style on the other hand can simply be defined as the unique manner ofdoing something. Just like everybody has a walking style and hair cutting style,playwrights have unique ways which they use to pass their messages to the audience. There are a number of stylistic devices in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah. Thisguidebook will enumerate some of these devices. Vivid DescriptionThe writer uses words to paint clear mental images on the readers mind. This enablesthe audience to understand the text better. As the Kaelo s are preparing to depart fromNakuru for Nasila the scenery is vividly described. He was gesticulating violently,apparently reprimanding loaders for being slow and inept p.1 . This description pointsout clearly the character of Kaelo as stern. |
As the Kaelo s are preparing to depart fromNakuru for Nasila the scenery is vividly described. He was gesticulating violently,apparently reprimanding loaders for being slow and inept p.1 . This description pointsout clearly the character of Kaelo as stern. The welcoming ceremony of the Kaelo s71familybyuncleSimiren sfamilyisvividlydescribed Chunksofmeatwentround...selected a piece from the tray p.12 . The description helps in showing thegenerous nature of Kaelo as well as his meticulous planning abilities. Life at Nasila isvividly described the intermittent crowing of roosters a rare atmosphere of tranquilityand serenity... p.14 . The description is used to contrast the peaceful mood of the ruralNasila and the urban town of Nakuru that is characterized by hustles and bustles. Simiren s polygamous setting is described vividly Three main houses stood within awell-tended and a evenly trimmed kei apple perimeter hedge p.14 . The sixteen or sochildren aged between three and sixteen were perched on benches, stools and chairs p.16 . This description shows high birthrate in the family. It also paints a polygamousfamily in Nasila. The vivid description of Ole Supeyo p.23 , he lifted a corner of hisshirt and scratched his belly while his other hand stroked the stubble on his chin shows his wealthy status in the society. Oloisudori is described in uncomplimentary terms wide gap black eyes .looking like awarthog p.92 . The description signals Oloisudori s mean character and the readerscan even form a picture of a criminal before much is disclosed to them. There is a vividdescription of how women in the past dealt with an old man who sexually mistreated ayoung girl p.117 . Taiyo s bold visit to Joseph s bachelor house is vividly described p.130 . It shows the feelings of the two lovers who are restrained by culture. The attack ofthe two girls by two men in which Olarinkoi saves them is vividly described. He spranglike a ghost p.141 . |
It shows the feelings of the two lovers who are restrained by culture. The attack ofthe two girls by two men in which Olarinkoi saves them is vividly described. He spranglike a ghost p.141 . This shows the risk the girls are going though in the hostile Nasilaenvironment. The search conducted by thirty men with Kaelo and Joseph is vividly described to showthe urgency of getting the girls molesters p161 . The resigned Resian is vividlydescribed after she is required to serve Oloisudori and his group p.172 . She walked toan oloponi tree at the centre of the garden. Finding a log underneath it, she sankdown her shoulders drooping It shows Oloisudori s insensitive character. Thejourney by Oloisudori and the couple is vividly described p. 190,191 . It showsOloisudori s cunning and scheming character. The journey by Resian, Olarinkoi and the72pick-up driver is vividly described to show the ill manners of the two young men p. 212,213 . The escape by Resian and Nabaru is also vividly described to show the riskinvolved by the two females with strong character p. 247 .SimilesA simile is a stylistic device that compares two things indirectly with an aim of drawinga mental picture in the mind of the reader. Before the Kaelo s relocate to Nasila, somewomen from Nasila visit Mama Milanoi. They signal a future menace since the girls arenot circumcised. The author says, The words came to haunt her like a demented spirit p.8 . This is later seen when mama Milanoi and Kaelo have to live alone in their old ageafter Taiyo and Resian go to the ranch and later to the university p.13 . They hadlikened him to a mono- eyed giant who stood on legs of straw. P.13 .Kaelo is comparedto a giant because he holds a senior position in his home, as the head in his house yethe has chosen to be very weak by having only one wife and two daughters. The eldersfeel Kaelo is not stable. He should be supported by many sons like Simiren. Ole Supeyocompares effects of FGM with effects of dehorning cows. |
The eldersfeel Kaelo is not stable. He should be supported by many sons like Simiren. Ole Supeyocompares effects of FGM with effects of dehorning cows. Like cattle that requiredbeing dehorned to reduce accidental injuries to each other, a certain docility wasrequired to keep more than one wife in one homestead p.22 . This simile shows thechauvinistic nature of Supeyo. The sense of foreboding from the threat was still hanging in the air like the sword ofDamocles. P.27 . This simile shows the apprehensive mood in which the girls are inafter they are accosted by the callous young man. Mama Milanoi says her husband hadbullied and scolded her like half-witted child p.29 . This shows how Kaelo consideredher as a child. It also reveals the low position of a wife in a Maa family. Uncle Simiren danced, his bald head shining like a piece of iron sheet in the afternoonsun. P.45 . The simile shows the industry, age and alienation of Simiren as well as thecelebratory mood in the event. After the drinks, voices of laughter of the revelers aredescribed as: they rose and fell like sound of waves beating upon flooded river banksto show the exuberant carefree mood p.50 . A simile describes Resian s condition ofinsecurity, Lonely stalked her like a lost young leopard. P.57 . This shows the danger73that looms in the new environment. Kaelo comments, Your daughter Resian is like anoverfed lizard in the afternoon sun p.64 .The simile is used to comment on the lazycharacter of Resian. Olarinkoi is described as sitting quietly and staring unblinkingly like a leopard wouldwhile stalking an antelope p.75 . This shows Olarinkoi s antisocial nature. It alsoindirectly reveals his real intention in Kaelo s home. Yeiyo Botorr expresses hercontempt for Resian s assertive character in a simile. One with olkuenyi bad spirit was shunned like plague p.78 . It was easier to fall in love with a serpent than withOlarinkoi p.80 . |
P.26 . Ole Musanka describes Kaelo as a tinystrand of hair that has been blown away from its owner s head by a gust of wind. P.51 . 74This shows that Kaelo is part of Maa culture and is owned by the Maa culture. P.51 . Italso brings out the wise character of Ole Musanka. To express her contempt andannoyance, Resian describes Oloisudori, what an ill-mannered devil this man is. P.93 .After the heinous act by Olarinkoi on Resian, rape, the sun is described as a bowl of red p.226 .PersonificationIt is a stylistic device in which a novelist uses human attributes on non-living things withsignificance to the novel. For instance Nakuru is described as That beloved town thatwas the mother of all flamingoes p.2 . It is evident that the flamingoes make the areavery attractive and probably that is one of the reasons Taiyo sheds tears and is hesitantto leave it for Nasila a rural set up. It could also be interpreted that Nakuru is enlivenedby the flamingoes making it relaxing. On reaching Nasila, the tranquility is expressed, acool fresh breeze swept in and caressed her face soothingly. P.14 .The breeze in thiscase is emphasized by being given a human quality of caressing. A pot of ugali is saidto hiss cheerfully at the side p.280 .The exaggeration is aimed at emphasizing on thesignificance of the happy event. DialogueIt is a novelistic style in which the writer presents the actual conversation betweencharacters. It brings a break from prose and therefore breaks monotony on the part ofthe reader. Taiyo and Resian converse about their new residence p.3 . The dialogueshows their mixed attitudes towards Nasila. Resian is afraid of the new home. She fearsthat the new shop may not pick something which may make the family needy in thefuture. However, Taiyo encourages her to have faith. While taking a walk around Simiren s compound, Taiyo and Resian converse on theapprehension and rivalry among the four houses. This exposes the enmity in apolygamous marriage. |
She fearsthat the new shop may not pick something which may make the family needy in thefuture. However, Taiyo encourages her to have faith. While taking a walk around Simiren s compound, Taiyo and Resian converse on theapprehension and rivalry among the four houses. This exposes the enmity in apolygamous marriage. The dialogue between Joseph and Ole Kaelo serves to warnTaiyo and Joseph against having any love relationship p.70 .The heated conversation between yeiyo-Botorr, mama Milanoi, Taiyo and Resian on p.77reveals Resian s assertiveness and daring character. It also shows yeiyo-botorr as75conservative. The dialogue between Taiyo, Resian and yeiyo-Kiti gives the girls moreinformation about Minik Nkoitoi and adds curiosity on the part of the girls to see her inthe future p.151 .On the other hand, the heated dialogue between Kaelo and Resian p. 210, 211 bringsout Kaelo s character as mean and abusive while it portrays Resian as sentimental. Lastly, the conversation between Resian, Taiyo and Minik on p. 280 in Minik s officebrings out the manager s character as courteous. FlashbackIt is a style in which a novelist takes us back to a time in the past with an intention ofinforming the reader on past occurrences. It reveals critical information to the audienceas well as helping in plot development. We are informed of how the Kaelo s got marriedtwenty two years ago and how Kaelo got employed by Agribix Limited. In order formama Milanoi to view the future in the right perspective, she first recalls on the past p.7 . Kaelo flashes back how he had first spotted Jane, his wife in a church service p.9 . The flashback helps in identifying Mama Milanoi as religious. Through a flashback we are told of the humorous story of how Ole Supeyo would takeKaelo to the forest and instruct him to count a lot of money. From this flashback, wediscover their deep rooted friendship p. 21 . The flashback in this case is also a sourceof humour. Mama Milanoi flashes back to a time when Kaelo married her twenty twoyears ago and how her parents were happy to get a wealthy son in law p. 28 . |
The flashback in this case is also a sourceof humour. Mama Milanoi flashes back to a time when Kaelo married her twenty twoyears ago and how her parents were happy to get a wealthy son in law p. 28 . Theflashback informs the audience of the concern Jane s parents had for their daughter. Taiyo has a flashback on how she excelled in music festivals and was awarded andgarlanded. An FM radio station sponsored her to attend an extravaganza p.44 . Thisflashback is essential in revealing Taiyo as a talented girl. It explains why she isinterested with the Maasai dance as well. Mama Milanoi flashes back when an old manlike Oloisudori would not have been allowed by culture to marry young girls. P.114 .insuch a case Mama Milanoi would have appealed to an elder s court which would rulehim out of elders. It would also fine him. Irony76This stylistic device entails a writer depicting what is contrary to what is expected by thereader. For instance, Mama Milanoi optimistically thinks that it would be easy for thecouple to marry off their two girls at Nasila than Nakuru town p.8 . However, thisproves to be difficult later in the novel. The two girls put up a spirited fight against theirmarriage to Oloisudori. Resian escapes from her prophesied marriage to Olarinkoi whileTaiyo escape shortly after undergoing FGM.It is ironical that Kaelo detests his daughter Resian simply because she is born a girlinstead of a son as he wishes. Since the baby is innocent and did not contribute in hersex, we expect the father to appreciate her. Furthermore, according to biologicalsciences it is the man who carries male genes p.10 . It is ironical when Kaelodismisses elders as practitioners of archaic traditions when they mount pressure forhim to be polygamous yet later he supports F.G.M on his daughters which is an equallyarchaic humiliating practice. This clearly portrays greed that overwhelms him as well ashis weak character p.113 . It is ironical that Kaelo had been warned against the criminalrecord of Oloisudori from Supeyo but still falls for his snare p.108 . |
It is ironical when Kaelodismisses elders as practitioners of archaic traditions when they mount pressure forhim to be polygamous yet later he supports F.G.M on his daughters which is an equallyarchaic humiliating practice. This clearly portrays greed that overwhelms him as well ashis weak character p.113 . It is ironical that Kaelo had been warned against the criminalrecord of Oloisudori from Supeyo but still falls for his snare p.108 . It is ironical thatafter Joseph wins the hearts of Resian, his heart is filled with frightening premonition p.136 .Although the first day at Simiren s place begins happily, it ends while the girls aredisappointed after they are accosted by a callous young man. It is ironical that mamaMilanoi feels she has failed in giving Kaelo a son and even praises and praise God for ababy boy p.29 .It is ironical that the idea of Enkamuratani and Olmurunya was hatchedby women themselves p.87 . Many years later this practice becomes a source ofhumiliation and pain to the female population. It is ironical that FGM that adverselyaffects women in the Maa community is practically done by women p.227 .It is also ironical that Olarinkoi, the mysterious young man Resian detested later savestheir lives. P.142 . Still, it is ironical that when Kaelo calls Resian to inform her ofmarriage to Oloisudori, Resian thinks she is being called for admission in the university p.182 .Lastly, it is ironical that Emuata a heavy copper ring is primarily made to makebrides beautiful yet it is heavy and uncomfortable to the females p.263 . 77SymbolismThe physical appearance of the two sisters and their mother is symbolically expressed, Taiyo and Resian both head and shoulder taller than their mother, stood on p.11 .Theheight of the two girls is physically compared to that of their mother. The height couldbe interpreted in terms of their contribution to female emancipation. The deepermeaning is that Resian and Taiyo s role in fighting gender inequality is greater than thatof their mother. At the time of the planned circumcision of Resian, the sun is described, it s sad yellowlight discordant howls of hyenas... p.243 . |
77SymbolismThe physical appearance of the two sisters and their mother is symbolically expressed, Taiyo and Resian both head and shoulder taller than their mother, stood on p.11 .Theheight of the two girls is physically compared to that of their mother. The height couldbe interpreted in terms of their contribution to female emancipation. The deepermeaning is that Resian and Taiyo s role in fighting gender inequality is greater than thatof their mother. At the time of the planned circumcision of Resian, the sun is described, it s sad yellowlight discordant howls of hyenas... p.243 . These symbols reinforces the mood. Also,as Nabaru and Resian leave the desolate village, there is a heavy downpour. The rainsymbolizes hope in future. P.248 . At the ranch, Resian is led to a house with asoothingly cool carpet which cools her tired and thorn pricked feet p.260 . This symbolassures the comfortable life the future holds for Resian. The conspicuous departure for Egerton University by Resian, Taiyo and Minik issymbolic. P.246 . They leave behind Oloisudori s burnt vehicles. It symbolizes theirvictory over Oloisudori s army, patriarchy, FGM and stereotype. Local DialectIt involves the use of Maasai and Swahili words in the novel by the author. The usageenriches the setting of the fiction; the Maasai geographical area of settlement and therural set up aspect of the novel. It makes the story credible, authentic and alive as wellas anchoring the elaborate theme of culture. In depicting the serene atmosphere, theauthor says, Interspersed were the olive- green ilorienito brown wild olive trees whosefragrant cluster of bushes of olobaani Ilkilenya climbers grew p.15 . Yeiyoo botorr p.16 , means eldest wife. Her presence portrays the different level of power in apolygamous marriage. Still to emphasize the beauty and serenity the writer says about Kaelo s home, clustersof oleleshua, osinoni and olkirrpanyany bushes dotted the compound. P.31 . |
Yeiyoo botorr p.16 , means eldest wife. Her presence portrays the different level of power in apolygamous marriage. Still to emphasize the beauty and serenity the writer says about Kaelo s home, clustersof oleleshua, osinoni and olkirrpanyany bushes dotted the compound. P.31 . Peoplevisit Kaelo s new home so as to observe the girls with an aim of commending them as78inkainito p.36 .Enkaitoyoni and enkamuratani came to make acquaintance with potential clients. P.36 .After feeding and dancing, people take esuguroi drink to gladden their hearts p.46 .Esuguroi is a fermented honey beer spiced with aloe. It is believed that Resian hasKisirani, an evil ominous harbinger to a terrible thing p.78 .There are many other instances of use of local dialects such as intoiye nemengalana,olmurunya, papaai, enkoiboni, inkainito, shuka, olbitirr, mzee, mheshimiwa, patureishi,elangatare, oloiboni and many others. The meaning of these Maasai and Kiswahiliwords has been provided in the text or in the glossary of terms at the end of the novel. ForeshadowIt is a stylistic device in which something ominous is signaled to happen in the future. Mama Milanoi experiences a pang of strange premonition that twists her nervesunpleasantly p.17 . This suggests the lurking danger especially because her daughtersare in the status of intoiye nemengalana. Once they arrive in their new house, Resiansays, I feel an oppressive silence. P.32 .This points at the rough episodes sheencounters later p.32 . Taiyo and Resian experience a long night characterized bymournful calls of night birds p.55 . This signals the bad experience ahead. On page 138,Olmultut a bird of bad omen coos sorrowfully at Resian s gate. This bird is a harbingerof bad news. Its cry is ominous p.138 .Rhetorical QuestionsIt is a stylistic device which employs questions which do not necessarily requireanswers but are aimed at stimulating critical thinking. |
On page 138,Olmultut a bird of bad omen coos sorrowfully at Resian s gate. This bird is a harbingerof bad news. Its cry is ominous p.138 .Rhetorical QuestionsIt is a stylistic device which employs questions which do not necessarily requireanswers but are aimed at stimulating critical thinking. To show that Kaelo is goingthrough a hard reflective moment, he asks, Was not everybody doing business with him?Was he really that bad? Was it the usual business rivalry and envy? Oloisudori p.27 .These questions show the dilemma in which Kaelo is in. Mama Milanoi wonders whatthey stand for as a family. Are they traditionalists or modernists? P.62 . This shows herdilemma towards F.G.M and her daughters. Resian asks, Was there a curse for beingborn a woman? P.205 . She rhetorically asks, Was it jealousy consuming her? P.49 .This is about the growing love between Taiyo and Joseph. Nabaru argues on page 277,79 if the Enkamuratani threw away the olmurunya and refused to wield it again, whatwould happen? It is a call for women s awakening to rise to the occasion and fightF.G.M.Oral Literature DevicesNarrativesKaelo had learnt that Odomongi and Orok-kiteng, the legendary twin homesteads of thefounder that begot of the five clans of Nasila: Ilmolelian, Ilmakesen, Ilukumae, Ilaiserand Iltarrosero were the cradle of Nasila people p.37 . Mama Milanoi s dilemma is aptlydescribed in a summarized narrative. Her situation was like that of ole Nkipida who waschased into a deserted hut by a lion just to be confronted by a hungry python at the door p.60 . This describes the conflict brought about by F.G.M. There is a common myththat by spilling blood through F.G.M bad spirit is purged away p.78 . Joseph narrates amoving story of the legendry Olarinkoi p.81 . In the story, women entertain Ilarinkonwarriors who demeaned and sexually exploited women p.86 . |
There is a common myththat by spilling blood through F.G.M bad spirit is purged away p.78 . Joseph narrates amoving story of the legendry Olarinkoi p.81 . In the story, women entertain Ilarinkonwarriors who demeaned and sexually exploited women p.86 . The story also tells theorigin of F.G.M P.87 .Song and DanceOn page41, during the homecoming ceremony, a bevy of beautiful young women danceexciting traditional dance. Men also do a springy dance p.41 . It is from this dance thatTaiyo falls in love with Joseph Parmuat. He leads primary school children into a songabout welcoming the returning hero, Kaelo p.42 . Taiyo composes a song which shesings in her heart. The song is dedicated to three women who collaborated with men tooppress women folks p.153 .Girls from Intapuka e Maa sing a song p.281 . This song makes the two girls shedtears for it praises intoiye nemengalana. P.281 . It also reveals women assertivenessand readiness to fight oppressive cultural practices as well as song of hope, victory andequality. 80ProverbsThey are short statements laden with a deep meaning. They are mostly used by theelderly people as a measure of wisdom and experience. Ole Kaelo on p.25 says, Theman with the meat was the same man with the knife. This signifies that for him to getcontracts, he must work with the corrupt Oloisudori. On p.25 Ole Musanka quips, Whenan old rat begins to smell, it returns to its mother s home p.52 . Meaning that Kaelo isold and had to return to Maa culture as well as home for a sense of belonging. What thesuperstitious Yeiyoo Botorr says to mama Milanoi about Resian is in form of a proverb, To hide a boil that is under the armpit is unwise p.78 . Meaning the girl s condition ofintoiye nemengalana is vicious and will soon burst. |
Meaning that Kaelo isold and had to return to Maa culture as well as home for a sense of belonging. What thesuperstitious Yeiyoo Botorr says to mama Milanoi about Resian is in form of a proverb, To hide a boil that is under the armpit is unwise p.78 . Meaning the girl s condition ofintoiye nemengalana is vicious and will soon burst. While encouraging Resian to escapeto the ranch Olarinkoi says, Home is never far for one who is still alive p.211 .SuspenseIt is a device in which the writer creates a pleasurable emotion of anticipation andexcitement regarding the outcome of events or phenomenon. In the novel, an air ofsuspense surrounds Olarinkoi. Kaelo does not introduce him to us at any point in thenovel nor does he mention him. P.79 . The audience is let to think about him evokingcuriosity which keep them reading. The breaking down of the lorry near the ranchattracts suspense p.252 . Readers wonder what is to happen next. They worry of thecharacter s safety. When Minik calls Taiyo and Resian in her office and stays for longwithout breaking the silence, suspense is created. Especially because she is holding twoletters with unknown contents p. 279 . The readers remain in suspense for long as towhether Resian will agree to be married by Oloisudori or not. They also keep readingand to see whether she will be circumcised by force by Olarinkoi s mother and bemarried by Olarinkoi as his mother had prophesied. DreamKaelo has a dream in which Resian consents to marriage by Oloisudori p.195 . Thedream shows the level of greed in Kaelo. While in a strange room belonging toOlarinkoi s people, Resian has a dream in which she meets Minik. The dream fires herambition. P.220 . Resian dreams a triumphant dream where she battles enkamuratani screw who want to circumcise her by force p.244, 245 . 81AllusionIt is a style in which there is a reference to something which is supposed to be knownbut not explicitly mentioned. A writer can refer to history, politics, the bible, literatureand so on. |
Resian dreams a triumphant dream where she battles enkamuratani screw who want to circumcise her by force p.244, 245 . 81AllusionIt is a style in which there is a reference to something which is supposed to be knownbut not explicitly mentioned. A writer can refer to history, politics, the bible, literatureand so on. In this novel, there are literary and biblical allusions. Resian quotes from afamous speaker, What pained one most was not the injustices carried out against oneby the adversaries but the silence of those who called themselves his or her friends atthe time the injustice was done p.231 . This literary allusion is in reference to hermother who kept quiet all the time they were being exposed to barbaric Nasilian culturalpractices. There are several cases of biblical allusion. Resian remembers thetribulations of the Biblical Job. P.230 . She suddenly fell on her knees and hugged thelegs of the old woman washing them with tears p.234 .The allusion in this context isthat of Mary in the St Luke in the Bible where she chooses to anoint Jesus using her hair. In this context, the respect Resian has for the enkabaani is emphasized. Still, Resianreminds herself of what the Bible says, p.257 . Some scriptures on optimism arequoted. The Joseph in the bible alludes to the Biblical Joseph who sacrificed for Christby offering his tomb to be used by Christ p.277 . Joseph in the novel finally sacrificesby dying for the sake of Taiyo. 82CHAPTER FIVESAMPLE AND PRACTICE EXCERPTSSAMPLE EXCERPTS1. Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. No Joseph, she said in an infantile whimper. I can t bear that we can t express thelove that we have for one another because of some primitive culture. If by loving you, Ioffend the sensibilities of Nasila then let me offend and face the consequences ofdoing so! I also love you very much, Joseph Parmuat responded finally. I loved you the momentI saw you during your father s homecoming ceremony. But then the clan matter came toseparate us. It is true we have no blood relation. But Nasila culture dictates who arerelated and who are not. |
But then the clan matter came toseparate us. It is true we have no blood relation. But Nasila culture dictates who arerelated and who are not. We are slotted among those who cannot marry. No, it can t be, I cannot accept its verdict, she said petulantly her words agonised. No83way, never! She stopped, confused and angry with herself at her inarticulate outburst. She took several long steadying breaths and then said, I cannot accept that a culturethat does not feed, clothe or house me comes to control my life. Our lives belong to us,Joseph. The destiny of our lives is in our own hands. We should guard it jealously. Atlast they drew a little a part .His eyes were open, honest and steady upon her face.1. What happens before this excerpt? 3mks 2. For both Joseph and Taiyo, give and illustrate two character traits. 4mks 3. How is dialogue significant in this excerpt? 4mks 4. Explain any two thematic concerns addressed in the excerpt. 4mks 5. From elsewhere in the novel, how does Joseph sacrifice for his love for Taiyo? 4mks 6. Explain the meaning of the following vocabulary as used in the excerpt. 4mks a destinyb infantilec petulantlyd primitive7. What happens immediately after this extract? 2mks 2. Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that followYou are mad! Resian screamed at him. You are stark mad if you think I am your wife. Ican only be your wife over my dead body. Yes, you and my father can kill me and carrymy dead body to your palatial home. He was stunned by those harsh words. He winced as if he had been struck. Then84already harsh line of his mouth tightened and he stood tense for a moment. Then herelaxed and watched her mockingly. You can never escape Resian, he repeated quietly,smiling. The very normality of his voice as he spoke those monstrous words was mostshocking and disturbing to her. Whether you scream your heart out, or jump into thedeep sea, Resian, you are mine. |
You can never escape Resian, he repeated quietly,smiling. The very normality of his voice as he spoke those monstrous words was mostshocking and disturbing to her. Whether you scream your heart out, or jump into thedeep sea, Resian, you are mine. You are my wife from now henceforth I want to go now. Resian announced angrily shuddering with disgust and terror. You want to go? He asked, the contemptuous quiet of his voice a menace by itself. Go!You want to be persuaded, coaxed and pampered to marry Oloisudori Lonkiyaa? Sorry Iwill not do that! If you want to go, please yourself. You may opt to go, but when you aremine, you will do as I please. No one plays games with Oloisudori. Ask your father, hewill tell you. Stop it! Stop it! Resian screamed excruciatingly pained by the disdainful remarks ofOloisudori. Putting her hands over her ears, she made a dash for the door. He made noeffort to stop her but she flung it open and turned to glare at him with tearful eyesYou are mad! She screamed again sobbingly. You are stark mad! You hear me? Youare nothing but ol-ushuushi. She walked away and as she did so, she heard his softlaughter behind her.1. Say what happens before this excerpt. 3mks 2. How is Oloisudori portrayed in this excerpt? 4mks 3. Describe the feeling of Resian in this excerpt 3mks 4. From other areas of the novel, state other crimes that are practiced by Oloisudori. 3mks .5. How does the writer utilize irony in this excerpt? 85 3mks 6. You are my wife from now henceforth Rewrite in the reported speech. 1mk 7. Explain the meaning of the following words 4mks a Pamperedb Disgustc Madd Palatial7. What happens immediately after this extract? 3mks 3. |
You are my wife from now henceforth Rewrite in the reported speech. 1mk 7. Explain the meaning of the following words 4mks a Pamperedb Disgustc Madd Palatial7. What happens immediately after this extract? 3mks 3. Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow. They were silent as they climbed the hill on their way back from Nasila river to drawwater. The water containers that they carried on their backs were now heavy. Thestraps that supported the containers pressed down their heads with a painfulexhaustion. As they walked, each one of them allowed her mind to fleetingly roam the fanciful landof wishful thinking. Resian thought how wonderful it would be, had she had a chance to enroll at theEgerton University and after graduation had a chance to work with her role model, Minikene Nkoitoi, the Emakererei at the sheep ranch that she managed. She imagined herselfalready there driving a large flock of sheep. And when she thought of sheep, her mindflew back to fifteen years or so earlier and reminisced the first time she saw a sheep. Itwas a childhood memory, a memorable picture from the swirling scene around herwhich had been captured and preserved by her mind when she and Taiyo accompaniedtheir father to the Nakuru Agricultural Show. She could still see in her mind a group ofbig, docile, tawny woolly animals that stood panting drowsily in a green pasture, with the86sun beaming down brightly from a clear blue sky. She had then admired the white longovercoats that the handlers wore. Taiyo also thought of Emakererei. She would ask Joseph Parmuat, to assist hercompose a song in her praise. She had already put words to a tune she had composedto ridicule the three women who she thought collaborated with men to oppress thewomen folk. They were Nasila s three blind mice who, she thought, did not seem toknow that the world was changing. |
She had then admired the white longovercoats that the handlers wore. Taiyo also thought of Emakererei. She would ask Joseph Parmuat, to assist hercompose a song in her praise. She had already put words to a tune she had composedto ridicule the three women who she thought collaborated with men to oppress thewomen folk. They were Nasila s three blind mice who, she thought, did not seem toknow that the world was changing. Those were the enkasakutoni, who threatened tocurse intoiye nemengalana and ensured they did not get husbands nor children: themidwife Enkaitoyoni who threatened to spy on the young women as they gave birth toensure that any who was still among intoiye-nemengalana had her status altered thereand then; and the dreaded Enkamuratani, who would never tire of wielding herolmurunya menacingly.1.Place the excerpt in its immediate context. 4Mks 2.Identify and illustrate two aspects of style in this excerpt. 4Mks 3.Discuss two themes evident in the excerpt. 4Mks 4.Discuss one character trait of Resian and Taiyo in the excerpt. 4Mks 5.The straps that supported the containers pressed down their heads with apainful exhaustion. Rewrite beginning: with . 1Mk 6.How do Resian s thoughts now come to be fulfilled in future? Brieflyexplain. 4Mks 7.Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt. 4Mks 87 i Reminisced ii Collaborated iii Dreaded iv Menacingly4. Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow Yes, Papaai, Resian said apprehensively. I am here. Taiyo tells me you arecalling me? Yes, yes, her father replied. Please take a seat. Yes, Papaai, Resian repeated as she sat on a chair far away from her father. Come nearer child, her father said pleasantly. Why do you sit a mile away? |
I am here. Taiyo tells me you arecalling me? Yes, yes, her father replied. Please take a seat. Yes, Papaai, Resian repeated as she sat on a chair far away from her father. Come nearer child, her father said pleasantly. Why do you sit a mile away? Come nearer. Resian moved her chair hardly an inch from where it was and then she looked up intoherfather s face with eager expectation. If I do remember well, her father began in a low even tone, you will be nineteen inSeptember this year, am I right You are quite right, Papaai. Resian answered eyeing him curiously. His face wasunusually kind. His eyes held hers as he smiled broadly. That s it! She thoughttriumphantly. That must be it! You and I have not discussed important issues for a long time, he said with a friendlychuckle that was intended to bring her closer to him. I thought today would be the bestday to break the news. Your future is very important to me, my dear child. Resian thought the concern in her father s voice, rang false. She hesitated, but couldnot hold herself any more. The anxiety was too great. 88 Papaai, is it Yeiyo or Taiyo who spoke to you? She asked sensationally, thinkingshe was stating the obvious. But seeing her father s face cloud, she added quickly. Who between them spoke to you about our enrolment at the Egerton University? What are you talking about, child? Her father, who seemed dumbfounded, askedafter a long and uncomfortable silence. Both Yeiyo and Taiyo promised to talk to you about it, and I thought she had. What, in the name of God are you talking about, child? He repeated, this timeagitated and shaking his head vigorously. No, I have never spoken to anybody aboutany of you enrolling at the university. Never! When I said I wanted us to discuss yourfuture, that isn t what I meant at all. |
No, I have never spoken to anybody aboutany of you enrolling at the university. Never! When I said I wanted us to discuss yourfuture, that isn t what I meant at all. Of course not! Resian looked at her father s faceenquiringly.1.What has happened before the excerpt? 3mks 2.What is so ironical in this passage?Explain your answer referring toelsewhere in the novel. 3mks 3. Your future is very important to me, my dear child From elsewhere in thenovel, explain why Ole Kaelo tells his daughter so. 3Mks 4.Discuss two aspects of character in Resian in this excerpt. 4Mks 5.What major issue is addressed in this excerpt? 2Mks 6.Explain what happens after this excerpt. 3Mks 7. Who between them spoke to you about our enrolment at the Egerton89university? Rewrite in the direct speech. 1Mk 8.A part from irony, discuss any other aspect of style evident in the excerpt. 2Mks 9.Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions used in theexcerpt. 4 Mks i . Apprehensively ii . Sit a mile away iii . Hold herself iv . AgitatedANSWERS TO SAMPLE EXTRACTSSample excerpt 11. Taiyo visits Joseph s bachelor house. She expresses her infatuation. Joseph feelsinfatuated too. She sobs uncontrollably2. Joseph is responsible. He has self-control aimed at preventing the duo from messingup. He is patriotic. He chooses to take sides with the Nasila culture. He feels they shouldnot break the normsTaiyo is loving. She has strong feelings for Joseph. Assertive. She is ready to offend sensibilities of Nasila culture for love. Sacrificing. She is ready to risk herself for love.3. It brings out Taiyo s interrogative nature. She skeptically questions the enslaving90nature of Nasila culture. I cannot accept culture that does not feed me. She poses thatculture should be beneficial.4. He accepts to be the contact man in the mission of rescuing Taiyo. He makes hercaptors drunk leading to her escape. The captors later kill him.5.Love. Taiyo and Joseph express their views towards love. She feels it should be let togrow while he feels culture should restrain love feelings. Culture. |
The captors later kill him.5.Love. Taiyo and Joseph express their views towards love. She feels it should be let togrow while he feels culture should restrain love feelings. Culture. Their love relationship is held at ransom by culture that objects love betweenpeople of the same clan.6. A Fateb Childish immaturec Grudginglyd Fate7. Joseph says he is ready to face any eventuality that may arise out of love. Taiyoappreciates the new stance of Joseph. She sheds tears. Sample excerpt 21. Oloisudori informs Resian of the benefits she will get for marrying him. Resian getsvery annoyed and speechless. Resian learns that her father has already received dowryfor her marriage to Oloisudori. He reports to her that their fate is sealed.2. Contemptuous. He asked, the contemptuous quiet of his voice a menace by itself. Proud. He feels superior and egocentric. No one plays games with Oloisudori. Askedyour father, he will tell you. 3. She is feeling disappointed and desperate of her father s action of receiving dowrywith an aim of sealing her marriage with Oloisudori. She feels really betrayed. 914. Extortion, assassinations shadowy businesses, sexual immorality, robber, smuggler,poacher5. It is ironical that Oloisudori who is older than Resian s father plans to marry Resian ayoung girl even after he is told her wish is to study at the university. It is also ironicalthat Kaelo has already picked dowry from Oloisudori and has never bothered to informResian of it.6. He told her that she was her wife from then henceforth.7. A Insaneb Grand like a palacec Strong loathed Treat with excessive care8. Resian rans blindly knocking a chair and a table and disappears past Oloisudori sdriver. She goes to her father s shop. She is raving mad with indignation. She becomesvery disappointed with her father. Sample excerpt 31. Before the excerpt, Taiyo and Resian go to the River to fetch water. They remembertheir discussion with their aunt and admire Minik s fight against women oppression bymen. They muse that men must be very angry with her for snatching five hundred girlsfrom her. |
Before the excerpt, Taiyo and Resian go to the River to fetch water. They remembertheir discussion with their aunt and admire Minik s fight against women oppression bymen. They muse that men must be very angry with her for snatching five hundred girlsfrom her. After the excerpt, Taiyo sings the song she has composed about three womenwhom she refers as mice silently in her heart. One of those women is the enkamuratanichasing a woman with a knife.2. Flashback- Resian recalls fifteen years back when she and Taiyo accompanied theirfather to the Nakuru agricultural show and she saw sheep the first time. Vivid description-The sheep are vividly described as big, docile tawny wooly animals. Metaphors-She calls the three women who collaborated with men to oppress women as92Nasila s three blind mice.3. Theme of Determination or optimism. Resian is full of optimism that one day shewould join Egerton university. Women as their own enemies. The three Nasila women collaborated with men tooppress women. Negative cultural practices. The three women propagate negative cultural practicesagainst women such as F.G.M.4. Resian is visionary. She thought how wonderful it would be, had she a chance toenroll at the Egerton University. She dreams of going to university. Taiyo-critical-she wants to compose a song ridiculing three Nasilian women whocollaborated with men to oppress women.5. With a painful exhaustion, the straps that supported the containers pressed downtheir heads.6. Later, she is rescued from a planned marriage by Nabaru and is taken to Minik sranch. There, she is given a house and a job. Minik also helps in securing theiradmission at Egerton University. She also gives a scholarship. The novel ends when sheand Taiyo are going to University.7. Recall RecalledWorked togetherFearedThreateninglySample Excerpt 41. Ole Kaelo sends Taiyo to call Resian for him. Resian feels hopeful and excited thatshe is being called to be informed about admission to the university. She thinks that it isher mother or sister who has talked to her father about the matter.2. |
Ole Kaelo sends Taiyo to call Resian for him. Resian feels hopeful and excited thatshe is being called to be informed about admission to the university. She thinks that it isher mother or sister who has talked to her father about the matter.2. It is ironical for Resian to think that her father is going to tell her about her dream93wish of joining Egerton University but he has plans to marry her off to his friendOloisudori. This is even as he says your future is very important to me 3. He says this because he has plans to marry her to his friend Oloisudori. If thissucceeds, his business would be saved because Oloisudori had helped him establishthe business and even building his house in Nasila.4. Ignorant- she thinks that her father has good news about joining university which isnot the case. She says, That s it! She thought triumphantly. Is it Yeiyo or Taiyo whospoke to you? Apprehensive. She replies to her father apprehensively. Fearful- she is in fear of her father. She sits on a chair far from her father.5. Determination optimism. Resian is very much determined to join Egerton University. She thinks it is the reason why her father has called her. Who between them spoke toyou about our enrollment at the Egerton University. 6. After the excerpt, Ole Kaelo hesitates telling Resian what he wanted to tell her andtells her to go to the kitchen. He tells her to tell her mother to come.7. She asked him who between them had spoken to him about their enrollment at theEgerton University.8. Suspense. The reader is left in suspense wanting to know why Ole Kaelo had calledhis daughter. Dialogue- there is dialogue between Resian and her father. It reveals the strainedrelationship between daughter and father. Nervously worriedly fearfullySit far awayControl herselfTroubled disturbed94PRACTICE EXCERPTS1. Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that followHowever, the notion that he was about to hand over his own daughter to a gangstercontinued to gnaw at the conscience of Ole Kaelo relentlessly. |
The reader is left in suspense wanting to know why Ole Kaelo had calledhis daughter. Dialogue- there is dialogue between Resian and her father. It reveals the strainedrelationship between daughter and father. Nervously worriedly fearfullySit far awayControl herselfTroubled disturbed94PRACTICE EXCERPTS1. Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that followHowever, the notion that he was about to hand over his own daughter to a gangstercontinued to gnaw at the conscience of Ole Kaelo relentlessly. He felt guilty, especiallywhen he recalled the atrocities that were known to have been committed by Oloisudoriover the years. But another voice told him quietly that he was being foolish andunreasonable to question his own conscience over the matter of Oloisudori, for he wasjust one among many who were enjoying the fruits of their labour. And it was hardlyanybody s business to know how honest that labour was. After all, the small voicereassured him tauntingly, those who committed bigger crimes such as Goldenberg andAnglo-leasing, were still enjoying the fruits of their labour. Had they not invested theyields of their ill-gotten money in housing estates, in shares, in import and exports intourism, in transport and in other trades, just as Oloisudori had done?When he went to bed later that evening, he remained awake for many hourspondering over those disturbing thoughts that went through his mind fleetingly, likewater that churned violently in a turbulent sea. He thought of Oloisudori s impendingvisit and his intended marriage to Resian. He knew the success of failure of the eventwould determine the fate of his business. Even his continued ownership of that housewhere he and his family lived, depended on the outcomes of that event. ShouldOloisudori fail to get Resian and recall the loan he had extended to him to buy thathouse, he was done. And knowing Oloisudori, he could very easily draw the rug frombeneath his feet, leaving him vulnerable to all kinds of vagaries. And the thoughts gavehim anxious moments. At dawn when sleep overtook him, Ole Kaelo had a pleasant dream. Resian hadconsented to Oloisudori s proposal. After Oloisudori reported that to him, he wasgreatly pleased and relieved. His wife was rapturous. |
And the thoughts gavehim anxious moments. At dawn when sleep overtook him, Ole Kaelo had a pleasant dream. Resian hadconsented to Oloisudori s proposal. After Oloisudori reported that to him, he wasgreatly pleased and relieved. His wife was rapturous. Although they were astonished atthe turn of events, they were relieved to know that they would not have to live with theguilt of having forced their daughter to get married. What a wise child his oncehardheaded daughter had turned to be after all! And how devious! After all those yearsof sullenness, awkwardness and tactlessness, she had finally brought relief to their life95and ushered in a period of peace and tranquility. But then, it was just that. A dream!1.Place the excerpt in its immediate context. 4Mks 2.Discuss three major issues in this excerpt. 6Mks 3.Discuss two character traits of Ole Kaelo in this excerpt. 4Mks 4. And the thoughts gave him anxious moments Add a question tag. 1Mk 5.Discuss any three aspects of style in this excerpt. 6Mks 6.Explain the meaning of the following expressions from the excerpt. 4Mks i . Gnaw ii . Pondering iii . Impending visit iv . He was done.2. Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow. Her dream was rudely and violently interrupted by a thunderous bang and a loud roar oflaughter. She woke up with a start, jumped up to her feet and stared at the door withwide panic-stricken eyes. For a moment she could not figure out her surroundings andcalled out the name of her sister Taiyo. She was terrified. The door flung open andOlarinkoi staggered in. He was stone drunk. Resian stared at him unblinkingly as hewalked towards her and she backed off terrified, squeezing herself flatly against thewall. He followed her there and got hold of her shoulders and shook her violently glaringat her with his glittering eyes. 96 You silly thing, he thundered angrily. I tell you to prepare food and you refuseto do so, eh? Today you will know who is the owner of this home. If you are still in doubt,let me tell you frankly that from today on you are my wife, hear that, eh? |
I tell you to prepare food and you refuseto do so, eh? Today you will know who is the owner of this home. If you are still in doubt,let me tell you frankly that from today on you are my wife, hear that, eh? You are my wife. For a long time you have been sneering at me, showing how highly educated you are. Today we shall see how educated your body is! Yes, we shall see! He got hold of her hand and began dragging her into the other room. At first shedid not understand his intention until he began unfastening her buttons with his roughtrembling hands. Then the truth came, and with it, terror and panic. She tried to getaway from him, but he held her effortlessly as he brutally continued fumbling with herdress, trying to loosen it. She screamed as loudly as she could while she pushed himaway and thrashed frantically about. But that did not deter him and he totally ignoredher screams holding her more firmly with his strong arms. Against her loud protest, hetore her garments and began to push her towards the bed. Then desperately she took the last chance of self defense and self-preservation. Mustering all her strength, she thrust his thumb into her mouth; sunk her teeth into theflesh like a ferocious animal and tenaciously held onto it, tugging at it fiercely like alioness. She could feel the flesh tearing and she tasted the salt of his blood as it filledher mouth but she clung unto the thumb as Olarinkoi howled with pain.1.Make notes on the contents of Resian s dream. 4Mks 2.Discuss one character traits of Resian in this excerpt. 2Mks 3.What has greatly changed in Olarinkoi in this excerpt compared to hisearlier conduct in the novel? 3Mks 4.Identify and illustrate two aspects of style in this excerpt. 4Mks 5.Explain two major issues raised in the excerpt. 97 4Mks 6.Explain what happens immediately after the excerpt. 3Mks 7. Today we shall see how educated your body is Rewrite in reportedspeech. 1Mk 8.Explain the meaning of the following expressions in the passage. 4 Mks i . Unblinkingly ii . Effortlessly iii . Mustering iv . Howled3. |
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