BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH SUMMARY

Ole Kaelo is suddenly fired from his job at Agribix Limited, where he has worked for over
twenty years. Now, Kaelo returns home to the village of Nasila with plans to start his own
business. His daughters, Resian and Taiyo, must leave behind life in Nakuru (a city of nearly
600,000) and acclimate to their new life in a rural Kenyan village. Upon arriving in Nasila, Ole
Kaelo and his wife, Mama Milanoi, reunite with Simiren (Kaelo's brother), his four wives, and
their children.
Resian is the youngest, and the black sheep of the family. She longs to go to university, and like
her older sister Taiyo, she struggles to adjust to life in Nasila. Taiyo is a model child. She
respects the authority of her parents and is clearly favored by them. The move to Nasila is a
return to Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi's roots. It is the place where they grew up and where they
first met. As such, the move creates a clash between modernity and tradition, illustrated by the
village's reluctance to fully accept Resian and Taiyo, who are uncircumcised. At a welcome
home party for the Kaelos, Resian and Taiyo encounter a man who harassed and threatened them
on their first day in town for being uncircumcised.

Kaelo visits his former mentor, Supeyo, who warns him that the man helping to finance Kaelo's
new business is a criminal named Oloisudori. In an effort to help his daughters adjust to Nasila,
Kaelo instructs a young man named Joseph Parmuat to teach his daughters about their culture.
Taiyo becomes infatuated with Joseph but later discovers that as a member of her clan, Joseph is
considered her brother. Oloisudori makes an unexpected visit to the Kaelo home and meets
Resian, who finds him ill-mannered, misogynistic, and creepy. After leaving her house to get
away from Oloisudori, Resian finds Taiyo and Joseph. Joseph tells the girls a fable about the
origins of female circumcision (described by Western agencies as female genital mutilation, or
FGM). According to the fable, it was the Maa women who began the ritual rite of passage as an
effort to resist the sexual violations of their conquerors.
Oloisudori asks Kaelo to marry Resian, who is old enough to be his daughter. Meanwhile, Taiyo
professes her love to Joseph Parmuat, who reciprocates her feeling but feels conflicted about the
implications and social backlash they would face from their clan. Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi
oppose the strict traditional customs of arranged marriages and female circumcision, but are
completely dependent on Oloisudori financially, and agree to the proposition. Resian grows more
discontent with her life and has agreed to endure the circumstances, with the understanding that
Taiyo will raise the issue of Egerton University with Kaelo. However, Taiyo never finds the right
moment to tell Kaelo about her sister's ambitions.

One day while walking back home from their father's store, Resian and Taiyo are attacked by the
two men that harassed them on their first day in Nasila. They narrowly escape rape when one of
their father's handymen, Olarinkoi, happens to see the situation and beats the men before they
can assault the girls. Resian and Taiyo try to tell their parents what happened, but resolve to tell
them the next morning at breakfast. When Kaelo finds out, he gathers all the men in the village
and goes in search of the attackers. They find the two men, who grovel at the feet of the elders
and beg forgiveness. The lives of the two men are spared; one turns out to be a distant relative,
which means that the penance prevented escalation and intra-tribal war.
Oloisudori arrives at the Kaelo home with a dowery and a ring for Resian who is still unaware of
her impending arranged marriage. Kaelo begins to tell Resian, but she interrupts him, and finally
raises the question of university. Ole Kaelo ignores her and says that she can always study in the
future after she gets married. When Mama Milanoi finally tells Resian that she will marry
Oloisudori, Resian confronts her father and tell Kaelo that she refuses to marry Oloisudori. Kaelo
slaps her and she runs away to a river, where Olarinkoi finds her. He tells Resian that Ole Kaelo
is searching for her along with Oloisudori and the woman who performs the ritual of FGM.
Olarinkoi tells Resian that he can help her escape Oloisudori, and she agrees.

Olarinkoi takes Resian to a remote hut and attempts to sexually assault her. Resian bites
Olarinkoi's thumb and nearly cuts it off. He beats her within an inch of her life, but does not rape
her. Over the next three weeks, Resian is nursed back to health by an elderly medicine woman
named Nabaru. Resian pleads with Nabaru to help her escape Olarinkoi, who now plans to take
Resian as his wife and have her circumcised. In the middle of the night, Nabaru takes Resian to a
truck and drives her to a farm for runaway girls run by a woman named Minik. After a few days
on the farm, a new girl arrives who turns out to be Taiyo. After Resian escaped, Ole Kaelo had
Taiyo circumcised in order to marry Oloisudori. Joseph Parmuat helped Taiyo escape, but in the
process was of doing so was murdered by Oloisudori's thugs. When Oloisudori and his gang
arrive at the farm, they are attacked by the hundreds of girls who work on the farm and they flee.
Minik gives Resian and Taiyo a scholarship to attend Egerton University.

Blossoms of the Savannah Character List

Parsimei Ole Kaelo
Ole Kaelo is the father of Resian and Taiyo and husband of Mama Milanoi. He left the village of
Nasila roughly twenty years ago to work at Agribix Ltd., where he worked for two decades
before he was fired.

Ole Kaelo's relationship with his daughters is complicated. He loves and supports Taiyo
unconditionally, but resents Resian for robbing him of a male heir.
Mama Milanoi
Mama Milanoi is a character who struggles to reconcile her modern ideals with the cultural
expectations for Maa women. After moving to Nasila, she takes on the role of a traditional Nasila
woman by setting aside her belief in women's rights and her opposition to arranged marriage.
Resian
Resian emerges as the hero of the novel. She opposes circumcision (FGM) despite pushback
from her mother and aunts. From the beginning of the novel, she wants to attend Egerton
University to pursue her education. Resian is stubborn, strong-willed, and courageous.

When she is almost raped, she fights back. When she cannot convince her parents to stop an
arranged marriage to a criminal, who is old enough to be her father, she runs away.
Taiyo
Taiyo is the eldest and is adored by her father. Consequently, Taiyo is also more obedient and
more forgiving of Kaelo's actions. After moving to Nasila, Taiyo falls in love with Joseph
Parmuat, but cannot marry him because he is from the same clan.

When faced with the decision of whether to marry Oloisudori and follow her father's wishes, she
ultimately runs away to join Resian. Taiyo's choice comes at a steep price—the life of Joseph.
Oloisudori Loonkiya
Oloisudori is a corrupt government contractor. He lures others into business with him with the
promise of fast money, and then extorts them. He is widely known to be a criminal in Nasila, but
is too powerful and too feared to be brought to justice.

He chooses Resian and his bride, knowing Kaelo cannot deny him without losing his business.
Olarinkoi
A wolf in sheep's clothing, Olarinkoi is at first Resian's savior, rescuing her from forced
marriage, but then turns out to be yet another man who betrays her, attempting to rape her and
intending to force her into marriage.
Nabaru the enkabaani
The enkabaani  is a nurse and a medicine woman; she rescues Resian after she has been
left for dead by Olarinkoi. She respects the young women who come into her care and
disapproves of the way in which they are treated by the men in the village; she is instrumental in
helping the sisters escape by procuring a ride for them all into Tanzania. She is more of a mother
figure to the sisters than their own mother is, in that she is courageous in her protection of them,
and is willing to put herself at risk to help them.
Joseph Parmuat
Joseph is first introduced at Ole Kaelo's welcome-home party. He is described as a handsome
and intelligent young man widely respected by the people of Nasila. He is also a member of the
Imolelian clan and considered a brother to Resian and Taiyo. He teaches the sisters about the
customs and culture of the Maa people. Finally, he gives his life to save Taiyo, whom he loves.
Supeyo
Supeyo is Ole Kaelo's younger brother. He is a minor character, but his relationship to his
brother is important. Supeyo took care of the family and business in Kaelo's absence, and for this
Kaelo respects him.
Minik
Minik is a character with an almost mythic quality. She is one of the few Maa women who have
not been circumcised and is therefore an outcast. Yet, she attended Makerere University and
started a farm that takes in runaway girls fleeing arranged marriages and circumcision. She plays
a crucial role when she takes in Resian and Taiyo at the end of the narrative and protects them
from the mob.
THEMES
H.R Ole Kulet effectively captures various issues in his novel Blossoms of the
Savannah. He explores the delicate balance between traditions and
modernity. Other issues captured include change, determination, family ties,
gender inequality, love, greed and materialism, moral decadence, education
and betrayal. 

Blossoms of the Savannah Themes 

 Theme of culture/traditions 
 Theme of gender inequality
 Theme of betrayal 
 Theme of change
 Theme of alienation
 Theme of education
 Theme of family ties 
 Theme of love  
 Theme of determination   
 Theme of moral decadence
 Theme of  greed/materialism 

Ole Kaelo treads the tight rope between strict allegiance to Maa culture that
espouses FGM and early marriages and embracing change that comes with
formal education and modernity. 

His moral values are put under a microscope when he engages in business
deals with a notorious criminal Oloisudori. He is placed in a quandary when
he has to choose between affluence and family ties. Greed rears its ugly head
when Ole Kaelo chooses to sacrifice his daughter Resian by trying to forcefully
marry her off to Oloisudori when he knows that she desires to pursue her
university education. 
A bright morning comes after a dark night. Resian's resoluteness pays off
when she escapes the claws of the negative cultural aspects and manages to go
to the university. 

Virtuous characters like Resian, Nabaru and Minik ene Nkoitoi succeed but
the bad ones like Ole Kaelo, Oloisudori, Enkoiboni and Olarinkoi fail
miserably. 

 Theme of culture in Blossoms of the Savannah 

Blossoms of the Savannah explores both negative and positive aspects of

the Maa culture. Since culture is dynamic, some retrogressive aspects have
been shed off. However, some like FGM still endure. Due to the changes
brought about modernity, culture has been eroded and some positive practices
have been abandoned as a result of moral decadence. 

When Ole Kaelo and his family relocate to Nasila from Nakuru, each one of
them ponders cultural practices, some of which are rife in Nasila. Mama
Milanoi thinks about her daughters’ marriage and the impending possibility of
them having to undergo the cut. In Nasila, uncircumcised girls are
condescendingly referred to as Intoiye Nemangalana.

“The words they used to describe the status of her daughters came back to
haunt her like deserted spirits of a past that was better forgotten. Intoiye
Nemengalana they had called them.” (pg 8)

The Maa are largely patriarchal and Ole Kaelo is incensed after his wife gives
birth to two daughters when he had prayed to have at least three boys (pg9).

He is also irked by the fact that his younger brother Simiren is considered the
cultural head of the Kaelo's by community. Notably his brother has four wives
and sixteen children (pg 12).

Polygamy is a valued cultural practice in Nasila but it is not Ole Kaelo's cup of
tea. Elders feel he is reckless for marrying one wife who has only borne two
daughters.

They have likened him to a mono-eyed giant who stood on legs of straw (pg
13).

Ole Kaelo thinks that it is an archaic tradition that has to be buried and
forgotten. 
Nasila has some exemplary cultural practices also. When Ole Kaelo’s family
arrives at uncle Simiren's home, they are cordially received by a jubilant
crowd. The communal welcome and generosity displayed is enviable (pg 11).

The fact that the society cherishes female circumcision causes agony to the Ole
Kaelo and the entire family when they return to Nasila (pg 17).

Taiyo and Resian are mocked, derided and chided by strangers simply because
they are not circumcised (pg 19).

“Are you not the Intoiye Nemengalana from Nakuru town?”

In Nasila, only ladies who are circumcised are considered decent and accorded
respect. All of Simiren's daughters are circumcised and married off to
prominent elders (pg 21).

Not everyone supports FGM. Minik ene Nkoitoi (Emakererei) is a fierce

crusader against the repugnant practice. Since she is considered a threat to the
culture, conservatives like Simeren and Ole Musanka abhor her passionately.
Her efforts earn her a derogatory pseudonym entagoroi (wasp/sharp tongued
woman) (pg 22).

The Maa culture considers women as being secondary to men. Women like
Mama Milanoi are expected to be subservient and to revere their husbands.
She is married off at the age of eighteen without any resistance. 

Resian and Taiyo, who have lived in Nakuru all their lives, are unenthusiastic
about undergoing the cut. They consider the culture archaic (pg 33).

“Of course I also don’t care whether I am counted among Intoiye

Nemengalana”

Their goal is to study at Egerton University. 

The communal aspect of Maa culture is indeed attractive. The home belongs to
all clan members. Meals are shared and people live harmoniously with each
other. 

Some women like Enkaitoyoni (mid wife) and Enkamuratani (female

circumciser) still fuel the culture of FGM. (pg 56)

Several elders help Ole Kaelo to organise the home coming ceremony in his
effort to re-establish severed links with his people’s culture. The people of
Nasila are organized into five clans; Ilmolelian, Ilmakesen,Ilkumae, Ilaiser
and Iltarrosero. 

Another positive aspect of culture is the sharing of chores. During Ole Kaelo’s
homecoming ceremony, young men and women from the Ilmolelian clan are
charged with the responsibility of organising the activities and chores. They do
it cheerfully and congenially. Were it in Nakuru, he would have needed to pay
the young people to help him. 

Young women and men entertain the guests at the homecoming ceremony
with songs and traditional dances. 

Members of a particular clan had some strict codes to adhere for example
since Joseph Parmuat and Taiyo belong to the same clan, they are not allowed
to have a romantic relationship. Although they are not related by blood, uncle
Simiren says they are like brother and sister (pg 49).This revelation irks Taiyo
who is infatuated with Parmuat.

Old people like Ole Musanka value traditions so much that they even
pronounce curses upon those who oppose it like Minik ene Nkoitoi (pg 52).

“Taba! May she go down with the setting sun!”

Having to conform to needless cultural practices, amid pressure from the

conservative society, causes untold misery to Taiyo, Resian and Mama
Milanoi. 

“They felt squeamish as they stood there; their downcast eyes reverted upon
the floor and hopeless tormenting their young hearts” (pg 55).

It is interesting to note that women themselves carry out the excruciating

procedures. The female circumciser is known as enkamuratani. Her tools of
trade are heart wrenching. She uses “a bladelike tool shaped like a smoothing
plane blade known as olmurunya” which she stores in a dirty oilskin (pg 58).

Mama Milanoi feels trapped in a conundrum akin to that of a hapless man

called Ole Nkipida. She is torn between either conforming to the cultural
practices or ending up like alienated pariahs. Ole Nkipida was being chased by
a lion only to be confronted by a vicious python while trying to seek refuge in a
hut (pg 60).

As a subservient Maa woman, she has little choice but to submit to her
husband’s decisions and cultural beliefs. 
Culture is a vehicle that attempts to check the excesses of individuals and
punish those who go astray and while some may have been formed with good
intentions the execution may be callous and austere to individuals. 

When Mama Milanoi was younger, girls hardly got pregnant before marriage.
Woe unto you if you did! Your family would be mocked. You would be
circumcised at childbirth and married off to the oldest man in the village. To
add insult to injury, you would have to put up with a derogatory
moniker entaapai. This was meant to uphold chastity but at what cost? (pg
65).

While at Nakuru, she paid little attention to FGM, a practice she regarded
archaic, but now she has to take her daughters through excruciating pain and
turmoil. It’s mental torture (pg 53).

When we meet a queer character known as Olarinkoi (pg 67), we appreciate

the positive Nasilian culture of hospitality. He is a stranger but welcomed
cordially. 

“But that was not queer for it was in line with the Nasilian hospitality where
every house was open to all sojourners” (pg 67).

Ole Kaelo tasks Joseph Parmuat with the endeavour of teaching his alienated
daughters about some cherished cultural values. Even he considers some of
those practices atrocious but he is quick to add that they helped bind the
community together. (pg 70-71)

Resian does not warm up to the idea of cultural lessons since she considers the
idea chauvinistic. She would rather spend time buried in books (pg 73).

The origin of Female Genital Mutilation is as ludicrous as its intended

purpose. Parmuat tells the girls that about 150 to 200 years ago, a mythical
figure known as Olarinkoi and his Ilarinkon warriors conquered the Maa and
gave them difficult demands including surrendering their bulls and
entertaining them with lewd suggestive dances. When one woman figured out
a source of the salacity within herself, it was then decided that they would
mutilate it in order to stop themselves from engaging in provocative and
sordid interactions with the unwelcome hostiles. Thus, FGM was birthed. (pg
87-90)

Since the Maa women founded the tradition, they should be on the forefront of
ending it since it is no longer useful (pg 88).
Resian finds FGM useless to today’s woman. It is only used by the men as a
tool to oppress women. Today’s men are no different from
the Ilarinkon warriors. (pg 91,105)

“...and one of their ways of oppressing is demanding that FGM be

perpetuated against us forever!”(pg 91)

Times have changed and some positive cultural practices have been eroded to
the point that an old man like Oloisudori intends to marry a young girl that is
barely 19. In the past this was considered an abomination. Mama Milanoi
recalls a randy old man who was besotted with a fourteen year old girl. He was
publicly shamed, clobbered to death and the elders had to perform a cleansing
ritual afterwards. The women were on the forefront of meting out the
retribution. That part of culture is since dead.

“Where was the Nasila culture?” (pg 114)

“Had the culture become moribund, useless and impotent?” (pg 117)

The erosion of Nasila culture is symbolically juxtaposed with the pollution of

Nasila River (pg 117-118).

Parmuat considers Ole Kaelo a father due to their clan links. It’s funny
considering they have no blood ties. They belong to the same
clan; Ilmolelian and sub clan; Ilorasha-kineji. That makes Taiyo and Resian
his sisters. (pg 122)

Although he knows that there is a stirring infatuation between Taiyo and him,
he also understands only too well the penalty he may face for offending the
culture; compensation in form of cattle, public rebuke and mandatory
cleansing. 

We learn about some types of love relationships the young men and women in
Nasila engaged in through Parmuat's tales (pg 124-127).
 Conventional love- normal falling in love. 
 Elangatare- competitive love where you win a woman’s heart through
heroic deeds. 
 Patureishi- platonic love which was meant to check the conduct and
behaviour of young people and keep them disciplined (positive culture) (pg
128)

 
Taiyo believes that cultures like FGM and clanism have no place in today’s
society (pg 128)

Culture is dynamic and Nasila culture has inevitably shed off some offensive
practices like throwing the dead and dying to hyenas and abandoning the old
and terminally ill in deserted homes. (Pg 128)

Taiyo is bitter about some cultural beliefs since she is in love with Joseph but
culture stands in her way. Joseph warns her of the consequences that comes
with defying culture  (pg 129-132).

Joseph Parmuat is also madly in love with Taiyo but he chooses to stoically
adhere to the culture at the expense of their brewing love.(pg 137)

Life is a living hell for uncircumcised girls in Nasila. Two vagabonds attempt
to rape Taiyo and Resian but they get unexpected help from Olarinkoi.(pg 143)

The chauvinistic vagabonds do not respect women, just like most of the
tyrannical men of Nasila. This thought strengthens Resian’s will to team up
with Emakererei (pg 143) 

When Taiyo and Resian spend time at uncle Simiren’s home, they appreciate
certain positive values of Nasila culture. 

When they arrive they are warmly welcomed by many cheerful people. Work is
communal. Yeiyo-bottor, the most senior mother is in charge of the
homestead and was only secondary to uncle Simiren. Disputes are amicably
solved. Everyone is selfless and children are taught to be mindful of others and
respectful. Negative attributes like selfishness were discouraged (pg 148-149).
This is Olkual le Maa- way of life. (pg 150)
 

Taiyo and Resian admire Emakererei for her gallant fight against FGM. They
hope that oppressive practices can be eradicated. She however faces stiff
opposition from other women, ironically. These are the three blind
mice; enkasakatoni- threatened to curse Intoiye Nemengalana so that they
don’t get children and husbands. Enkaitoni (midwife) spies on women as they
give birth to ensure they are not Intoiye Nemengalana and enkamuratani-
female circumciser (pg 153).

Although Simiren has many wives and children favouritism is frowned down
upon. Only Yeiyo botorr holds a special position and everyone else is fine with
it. (pg 154)

Men from Ilmolelian clan gang up to pursue the two men from Ilukumae who

accosted Taiyo and Resian. The harmonious way of handling matters is
enviable. (pg 156)

Had it not been for empirical cultural provision of sparing an offender on

some grounds of mercy, Ntare Muyo and Lante son of Kanyira would have
been killed. This is a positive cultural practice (pg 162-163). The boys were still
punished for their thoughtless act. (p 164)

Having to marry Oloisudori throws Resian into a sea of agony (pg 172)

Despite being largely patriarchal, the culture tries to protect the girl child to a
small extent. Girls were always shepherded away to an aunt’s house whenever
male visitors were around. The men were also cultured enough to ask if
children (girls) were around before entering the house. This is a positive
aspect of the Nasila culture. 

 
Oloisudori considers the grave issue of FGM as a small matter. 

“The little ritual of removing her from the list of Intoiye Nemengalana” (pg
157)

Forced marriage is rampant in Nasila. Olarinkoi's mother expects to marry off

Resian to his son Olarinkoi but not before having her forcibly circumcised. 

Taiyo is devastated after she is duped by a group of women from Esoit who
collaborated with her mother and others and is forcibly circumcised. 

Minik is angered by the fact that as much as she tries to fight the offensive
culture, more cases keep emerging. The community fights back (pg 269).

Taiyo is betrayed by her own mother only to be taken to Esoit five kilometres
away from Nasila where she is forcibly circumcised. She passes out due to the
excruciating pain and only comes to after two days. She is thankfully rescued
by a team sent out by Minik ene Nkoitoi. Sadly Joseph Parmuat is killed in the
course of rescue operation. (pg 272)

Ole Kaelo and his wife lose the trust of their daughters. 

“They both found fault with their father for wanting to please Oloisudori to
the detriment of his own children” (pg 276-277)

Nabaru blames the Maa women for being the perpetrators of FGM and
allowing the men to use it to oppress them.
 

There’s need for change. Positive cultural practices should endure while
shedding off the needless one. 

Theme of Gender Inequality in Blossoms of the Savannah

Nasila is largely a patriarchal society. Male chauvinistism is rife. Women are

supposed to be submissive. They have no say in particular issues like
marriage. Men use repugnant practices like FGM to oppress women.

Ole Kaelo is irked by the fact that his second child, Resian, is a girl. He had
prayed for a boy. He wanted at least three boys but ended up with two girls
(pg. 9-10). The society values boys more than girls.

Ole Kaelo wanted a boy who would carry the Kaelo’s name to the next
generation (pg. 10)

Ole Supeyo attempts to balance tradition and modernity. He has sent all his
sons to school and two of them had reached university level. On the other
hand, all his daughters were circumcised and married off. (pg. 21)

Women are considered a wild gender, which has to be tamed through female
genital mutilation (pg. 22)

Although Ole Kaelo seems loving, he treats his wife “like a half witted child”.
Mama Milanoi also has a childlike dependence on him. She feels that she has
failed him by not giving him boys (pg. 29).

Marriage is a cultural expectation and it’s a man’s duty to look after his wife
and children (pg. 25)

A man also makes most decisions regarding his family. His word is final. For
instance, Ole Kaelo refuses his daughter Taiyo a chance of performing in a
public gallery, a talent she is passionate about (pg. 45).

Women are disdained and taunted for being uncircumcised. Some men even
bully and harass girls and women they call intoiye nemengalana. (pg. 19, 46)

Crusaders against FGM like Minik ene Nkoitoi face the wrath of conformist
like Ole Musanka and Ole Supeyo
Girls and women are circumcised and married off to become mothers and
home builders. Mama Milanoi is forced by tradition to be a dutiful and faithful
wife who submits obediently to their husband (pg. 61)

“And in the Nasilian society, women had no say. It was a patriarchal society
where the Emakererei and her ilk were fighting to find relevance with little
success” (pg. 62)

Women who get pregnant before marriage are referred to derogatorily

as entaapai. They are circumcised and married off to the eldest man in the
village. Little is mentioned about the penalty meted out to men who put them
in the family way. (pg. 63)

Resian feels like it is disadvantageous being a woman in the Nasilian society.

She scorns at the fact that her father tasked “a clan brother” to teach them
about work. (pg. 73)

“I keep wondering what would have happened had we been sons. Do you
think father would have looked for a clan sister to coach us and take us
through the dim cultured paths of Nasila?”

Resian is not interested in cultural values. She only values university

education. 

“I will either be taught at the University what is universally beneficial to all

mankind or be taught nothing!” (pg. 73)

She yearns for gender equality. Men should also cook, clean and please
females

“No, I refuse to be taught solely to please male counterparts” (pg. 76-77)

Men in Nasila have the latitude of ordering women around simply because
they are male. Resian observes that the women give them the leeway to
respond to them request. (pg. 77)

Mama Milanoi and Yeiyo bottor think that there is something wrong with

Resian and that she has olkuenyi (stupidity, folly or madness). They are
perturbed by her assertiveness and audacity to question and challenge the
norms. Yeiyo bottor suggests that the only cure for olkuenyi is
the enkamuratani’s olmurunya. 

“It’s time to circumcise daughters and get rid of olkuenyi” (pg. 78)

The origin of FGM is linked to oppressive patriarchal deeds. FGM started
when Olarinkoi and the ilarinkon warriors forced women to perform lewd
sordid dances in indecent posture and styles. They also made jokes to demean
the women. Women had to mutilate themselves in order to stop themselves
from bowing to such shamefully pressure.

Although women founded female circumcision, men have used it to oppress

them. (pg. 91-103)

For instance, two young men try to rape Taiyo and Resian simply because they
are considered unworthy intoiye nemengalana. 

“Resian thought how hazardous it was to live in a society when men thought
they had a right to every woman’s body” (pg. 193)

Women are not respected in Nasila. 

“She thought the two vagabonds that accessed them were part of the
tyrannical Nasila culture that did not respect women” (pg. 143)

Girls and women are expected to be unassertive and respectful. Mama Milanoi
considers Taiyo “a paragon of virtue, a true model of maa feminine
decorum” (pg. I78). 

Ole Kaelo plans to marry off Resian without her consent. Oloisudori even
plans to render her unconscious in the event she resists. (pg 199) 

Resian knows that her father hates her but she is shocked that he has the
temerity to sell her off to Oloisudori. 

“Was there a curse for being born a woman that took away her right to her
own body or her own mind?”  (pg. 205)

Olarinkoi abducts Resian and takes her to his home in Inkiito. He orders her a
around like a slave. He even attempts to rapeher. Together with his mother, he
plans to have her circumcised and taken to Tanzania. They made all this plans
without involving her. (pg. 229)

At Inkiito, Resian realizes many young girls are married to old men twice or
trice their ages. One is eighteen and her husband about seventy five
Resian admires salient, plucky women like Wangari Maathai and Emakererei. 

Although this culture is oppressive and suppressive against women, some

women have risen above the suffocating dictates and succeeded in their
endeavour. Emakererei managed to pursue education and become a vet. She
manages a large ranch and has rescued our five hundred girls. She is revered
and respected and even men hold her in awe. 

She has dedicated her life to fighting obnoxious practices such as FGM and
early marriages which are prevalent in Nasila(Pg. 262)

Emuata is a horrible cultural practice that demanded young brides

(isiankinkin) to wear heavy copper wire tightly coiled around their limbs, legs
from ankle to knee, arms, and elbows to armpit. It impedes their movement,
constricts their veins and waste their muscle and harbors flies and fleas.

Although male chauvinism is widespread in Nasila, women can also be termed

as their own enemies.
According to Nabaru, they are the  perpetrators of the obnoxious practice. 

Theme of Betrayal in Blossoms of the Savannah

Taiyo and Resian are hurt badly when their parents put their own self interest
first. It’s devastating when Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi betray their
daughters due to insatiable greed and pressure from repressive cultural
demands like FGM and forced early marriages.

Mama Milanoi is worried about having to force her children to undergo the
female cut.

“A creepy feeling kept on gnawing at her conscience regarding her

daughters’ status of being intoiye nemengalana, in midst of a community
that cherished girl-child circumcision” (pg.17)

Does she step out of her comfort zone of a dutiful Maa wife to help her
daughters?
Resian is adamant that she has to pursue veterinary medicine. She is, however
, afraid that their parents may bow to societal pressure and force them to
undergo the ritual.

“What do you think will happen to us if Papaai is forced by his clan’s men to
embrace the… culture that would require us to undergo the cut? “(pg. 17)

Ole Kaelo’s desire to reunite with his people and receive their blessings serves
as stimulation for the eventual betrayal.

The real trouble begins when Ole Kaelo gets in to business involvement with
Oloisudori a renowned malefactor. Ole Kaelo does not heed even after his
mentor Ole Supeyo gives him a firm warning and exhorts him to keep the
villain away from his home. Ole Kaelo is driven by fear, selfishness and greed.
All those culminate in a betrayal that causes his daughter untold agony.

“Don’t trust him any further than you would a hyena in your homestead”
(pg. 26)

He cautions him to keep Oloisudori away from Taiyo and Resian because of
his amorous ways (pg. 108)

“And my friend, keep the fellow away from your daughters. He has the
reputation that would rival that of a randy he-goat” (pg. 26)

When the old man that formally welcomes them to Nasila Ole Musanka
declares that they must get circumcised, Mama Milanoi, Taiyo and Resian are
troubled. They feel tormented by the agonizing thought of being forced to
conform to needless cultural practices. (pg. 53)

Ole Kaelo insists that they must conform to Nasila cultural practices. Mama
Milanoi knows only too well that this “could completely change their lives and
the lives of their two daughters” (pg. 60)

As a mother, Mama Milanoi has to choose the right thing between forcing the
girls to undergo the FGM rituals and refusing to yield to the cultural practice.
The consequences are losing her daughters’ trust or being considered
alienated pariahs by the Nasilian community. (pg. 60)

Although Mama Milanoi seems like an irresolute fence sitter, she is ostensibly
cowed into submission by her unflattering husband.

She says, “Our culture is everything and it rules our lives” (pg. 61)
Ole Kaelo says that Parmuat will be engaged to coach the girls after which they
will be circumcised and married off. Mama Milanoi is in a conundrum.

“She was torn between her love for her daughters and her dutiful role of a
faithful and obedient wife of Ole Kaelo”(pg. 61)

As a family, “were they traditionalists or were they modernists? In

embracing the retrogressive cultural values, were they progressing or
regressing?” Mama Milanoi ponders. (pg. 62)

She knows that FGM could wreak havoc in the young innocent lives of her
daughters (pg. 63)

Although Mama Milanoi loves her daughter, she has been unable or unwilling
to protect Resian from her father’s instant harassment. Ole Kaelo hates Resian
simply because she was born a girl when he expected a boy. Resian finds
solace in her sister’s arms.

“And so, in the absence of their mother’s protection and in the face of their
father’s constant provocation and intimidation, Resian dependence on Taiyo
strengthened” (pg. 34)

Mama Milanoi eludes the task of helping her daughters wheedle their father to
allow them to pursue university education. (pg. 89)

She also fails to protect her from Oloisudori’s advances on the first encounter.
She is only concerned about her husband’s ego and temperament. (pg. 94)

It is Ole Kaelo’s responsibility to bring his daughters up, care for them and
protect them. His blinding greed and self-absorption make him to wallow into
a pit of irresponsible decisions. He is caught between the devil and the deep
blue sea.

“How terrible would it be, he thought sorrowful, to see her cry for long while
questioning the sincerity of his love for her, and asking him the reason for his
betrayal” (pg.111)

He offers Resian as a sacrificial lamb. Mama Milanoi and Ole Kaelo betray
Resian by agreeing to marry her off to an old criminal. They are partly lured by
his wealth and swanky lifestyle.

Mama Milanoi lies to Taiyo and Resian that she would try to convince Ole
Kaelo to let them return to Nakuru for purposes of enrolling at Egerton
University yet it was a plan to hoodwink them while they planned their forced
betrothal. (pg. 147)

Even Resian knows that the father is using her as a bait to beguile his business
associate. She knows that had her materialistic father been considerate, he
would have listened to her she hates Oloisudori, the man she is forced to
marry. (pg. 173)

Her materialistic parents betray her when they accept gifts from Oloisudori.
(pg. 178)

It disheartens Resian when her father denies her a chance of enrolling at

Egerton University. (pg. 184)

Ole Kaelo’s resolve to marry off Resian strengthens when he visits one of
Oloisudori’s six homes in Nakuru. The opulence leaves him entranced and
spellbound. (pg. 185)

“Whatever happened Resian was to be married to Oloisudori” (pg. 192)

Ole Kaelo compares his daughter to a stubborn goat kid that refuses to suckle.
This is after they hatch an infernal plan to forcibly abduct Resian should she
turn down Oloisudori’s proposal (pg. 191-192)

Mama Milanoi Ole Kaelo and Oloisudori all laugh when he says this but Mama
Milanoi feels that they are betraying their daughters trust.

“…… the plan to ensnare her daughter like an antelope left a feeling of
betrayal in her heart” (pg 192)

Ole Kaelo could not careless. He is bound by promise of grandeur and wealth.
Mama Milanoi is sad that her daughter is bound to miss out on her passionate
desire of joining Egerton University…. Ole Kaelo thinks it would be foolish to
lose a rich son-in-law like Oloisudori, his desires and unethical reputation
notwithstanding (pg. 192-193)

After all, his only obsession is the success of his business.

When Oloisudori comes to ask for her hand in marriage, Resian realizes sadly
that her father had already sold her (pg. 204). She feels betrayed.

“Although she had always known that her father disliked her, she never
thought he could go as far as selling her” (pg. 205)
He feels like it’s is a curse being born as a woman in Nasila. Her father plainly
refuses to allow her to go to university (pg. 205, 207). 

Even after her passionate pleas, he says he has already taken dowry from
Oloisudori. She accuses her father of hatred and betrayal by betrothing her to
Oloisudori. (pg. 208)

The betrayal pushes her to the edge. She even considers committing suicide.
(pg. 210)

Another character that betrays Resian is Olarinkoi. He had won her trust when
he rescued her from would be rapists. He promises to rescue her from the jaws
of early marriage and FGM and take her to Ntare Naaju Rescue Center. He
instead abducts her and takes her to Inkiito. He plans to marry her and elope
with her to Tanzania after having her forcibly circumcised. Even worse, he
attempts to rape her albeit unsuccessfully.

Mama Milanoi betrays Taiyo when she inveigles her to accompany three
women from Esoit. Taiyo believes her mission is to help Resian who is on a
hunger strike, when she’s actually being ensnared as an alternative to be
circumcised and married off to Oloisudori. Her mother falsely assures her that
the father had had vowed never to try to marry them off by force (pg. 272).
Instead she’s hauled off to Esoit where she’s circumcised in readiness for
betrothal. The experience is harrowing and devastating.

Nabaru also finds fault in other Maa women other than Mama Milanoi.
Women like Enkoiboni, Enkamuratani, Enkasakatoni and Enkaitoyoni betray
other women by encouraging unsavoury cultural practice like FGM (pg 277). 

Also, the women of Nasila call Minik ene Nkoitoi a witch. 

Resian adds weight to the argument that all women should resist FGM. (pg.
278)

When Mama Milanoi and Ole Kaelo betray their daughters, it’s surprising that
they find solace in strangers’ arms. Nabaru saves Resian life, nurses her and
gives her motherly love during the three weeks she spends at Inkiito. She even
makes a long dangerous journey to find a driver to rescue Resian. Finally she
manages to rescue her.

Minik ene Nkoitoi rescues Resian and Taiyo from the jaws of early marriages
and gives them a chance to attend university. She also offers Resian a job, a
salary and a place to live.
Betrayal courses agony, strained relationship, and disintegration of the family
unit. Resian and Taiyo lose trust in their parents after their despicable act of
betrayal.

“They both found fault in their father for wanting to please Oloisudori to the
detriment of his own children lives … their mothers did not escape their ire,
she was an example of a wife they never wanted to become. “(pg. 276-277)

Does Oloisudori betray Ole Kaelo?

Theme of Change in Blossoms of the Savannah 

Ole kulet espouses the need for change in African communities. He explores
positive changes brought about by modernity while frowning upon the fact
that some helpful cultural practices are no longer being practised.

Ole Kaelo and his family physically relocated from Nakuru to Nasila after his
retrenchment from Agribix Limited. Taiyo and Resian feel that life there is
going to be different. Mama Milanoi is apprehensive about the change but her
husband Ole Kaelo convinces her that the relocation would enable them to
begin a new phase of life.

First, polygamy is a celebrated way of life in Nasila. When elders deride Ole
Kaelo for marrying only one wife, he refers to them as “megalomaniacs who
are still trapped in archaic traditions that were better buried and
forgotten” (pg. 13)

Nasila has a tranquil and reposeful ambience compared to Nakuru, however,

still waters run deep. As much as Taiyo and Resian enjoy the serene
atmosphere, Nasila’s cultural sensibilities would rock their young lives and
astound them greatly. In Nasila, early marriages are prevalent but Resian
protests the idea vehemently. Modern education has brought about change to
the institution of marriage.

“When I’ll have obtained my degree, other peripheral matters such as a

husband, children and such may be considered” (pg. 18)
One woman that strongly believes in change is Minik ene Nkotoi. She is a
fierce crusader against female Circumcision and early marriages. She rescues
vulnerable girls and offers them education. FGM can be stopped through
education since change begins with a change of mind rather than a change of
heart. This is why Resian is iron willed that their father should allow them to
go back to Nakuru and enroll at the university.

Minik is a successful woman. She manages a sheep ranch and has hundreds of
men working under her. She successfully obtained a degree at Makerere
University and fights for the rights of the girl child. This is a prodigious feat
for a woman considering the repressive society she lives in. 

Despite her achievements she is considered the devil incarnate. Ole Kulet
urges the Maa to embrace change and understand that women can also
prosper and lead just like men. (pg. 62)

Mama Milanoi thoughtfully thinks about the change their relocation brings to
her family.

“She gave thought to what they stood for as a family. What did they believe
in? Were they traditionalist or were they modernists? In embracing the
retrogressive cultural values, were they now progressing or
regressing?” (pg. 62)

Since FGM was founded by women, only they could end it if they so wished.
(pg. 88) Resian argues that once a patient is cured, there is no need to
continue taking nasty medication. This is because the original purpose of FGM
is not applicable in today’s world.

Change is inevitable but with it comes the death of some positive cultural
practices. Patureishi, an institution meant to check the conduct and behaviour
of the young people, dies a natural death due to the changing trends in Nasila.

“Individualism, petty jealous and lack of trust killed that once important
aspect of Nasila culture” (pg. 127)

Since culture is dynamic Taiyo believes that moribund aspects like FGM and
clan system should be discarded. Parmuat informs her that culture has shed
off some retrogressive callous aspects like throwing away the dead and dying
or abandoning the old and terminally ill in abandoned homes. (pg. 128)
Taiyo and Resian intrigue to give back Oloisudori's gifts, is testament to the
change in Nasila. Young women should not be lured by material things that
can deter them from pursuing their goals.

“They also wanted to show him that they were young modern women who
had their own pride, self respect and self-esteem … not rudderless objects
drifting in the sea without direction. They already had their aims and
projections ... and the desire for higher learning at the university and career
development” (pg. 196)

When we meet Minik and Nkotoi, she oozes the aura of authority and
superiority, unlike the timid Maa women like Mama Milanoi. She manages to
convince Nabaru, an old conservative woman, that FGM did not add any value
to the lives of its young victims.

Modernity triumphs over archaic traditions when Resian, through her sheer
willpower escapes the tentacles of FGM and early marriage and joins Egerton
University together with her sister Taiyo through the help of the domineering
Minik ene Nkotoi. 

Theme of Alienation in Blossoms of the Savannah 

After spending over two decades away from Nasila, the Kaelo’s feel detached
from their home and cultural beliefs of their people. Mama Milanoi feels that
marrying off their two daughters to distinguished men in Nasila could be a re-
entry point into the community.

Ole Kaelo desires to reunite with Nasila people. He organizes a homecoming

party taking the traditional enkang-o-ntalego form. He has lost touch with the
cultural sensibilities of his people so he requests help from his brother Simiren
and a few elders (pg. 37)

Elders had the task of blessing the home of the intalengo. “It was only after
such blessings that Nasila would receive their son.” (pg. 38) Ole Kaelo swears
that he would never abandon his culture again (pg. 40)

According to Ole Musanka, an elder, Ole Kaelo was a tiny strand of hair that
had been blown away from its owner head by a gust of wind but has been
blown back to the head. The detachment had made him less strict to the
cultural practice of Nasila but his return marked a change in his stance.

Ole Kaelo is not the only child of Nasila that left only to return. Others include
Minik ene Nkoitoi, Reteti Korema, Setek Tumbes and a few others. This
alienation gave birth to the Emakererei; the fierce crusader against FGM and
early marriages. After her studies at Makerere University, she returned to fight
the needless cultural practices.

Alienation from one’s culture may give rise to a positive character like Minik
ene Nkoitoi, who uses her education to fight needless cultural practices.

Nevertheless, everyone desires the feeling of belonging and attachment to the

family or ancestry. 

Theme of Education in Blossoms of the Savannah

Tradition vs modernity is a strong issue in Blossoms of the Savannah.

Education seems to favour modernity and shedding off of some repugnant
cultural practices. Education is an agent of change. It helps people to think
independently and empirically rather than emotionally or adaptation of herd
mentality. Through education, there is a shift of mindset and a change of heart
regarding culture and life in general.

From the onset, Resian is determined to join Egerton University in Nakuru to

pursue a course in veterinary science and become a veterinary doctor.

“I want to read everything that there is to be read” (pg. 54)

She knows that through education she can escape the jaws of “outdated and
archaic traditions” the FGM and early marriages. (pg. 33, pg.58)

One of the most practical and fierce agents of change is Minik ene Nkotoi. She
is referred to as Emakererei because she attends Makerere University and
obtains a degree in Veterinary Science. She has a pioneering spirit. She is not
blindly subservient to culture. She campaigns vigorously against harmful
cultural practices such as FGM and early marriages (pg. 61-62)

Resian is against acquiring cultural lessons at the expense of university

education because she believes formal education can be universally beneficial
to all unlike norms which only apply to a small unit of adherents. (pg. 73)
Other educated individuals like Joseph Parmuat, a school teacher, also hold
the same views that culture is dynamic and should shed off needless rituals
that are not helpful to people today.

Parents in Nasila embrace education in a half-hearted fashion since they fear

the influence of formal education in cultural values. Their brightest sons such
as Ole Kaelo, who pursued education out of Nasila got alienated and hardly
came back home. Formal education shook the foundation of Nasila culture but
its gains were invaluable as it brought about the much needed change (pg.
150)

Minik ene Nkotoi went to primary school with Resian’s aunt Yeiyo Kiti, with
whom they originate from the same village Mbenek Dapashi. When Yeiyo Kiti
got married, Minik pursued further education.

Resian admires Minik. “She seems to be a courageous woman who firmly

opposed what she considers wrong without caring whether she rubs the men
of culture the wrong way. Many women would not dare go against the
grain” (pg. 162)

She would like to study at Egerton University and join Minik in her gallant
fight against FGM and assist her in the sheep ranch.

Since Taiyo and Resian are educated, they have unwavering moral values.
Their desire is higher education. They are not enticed material things like gifts
and cash.

They have set goals and they work towards the target unflinchingly (pg. 196).
The other women readily and ingratiatingly accepted Oloisudori’s proposals
and marriage, possibly due to his affluence (pg. 202)

Resian turns down Oloisudori proposals and fights to go to university in spite

of her father’s obstinacy. Her role models are educated successful women like
Prof. Wangari Mathai and Minik ene Nkotoi.

Educated women like Minik are confident and respected. Men like Lebutu
respect her yet the society is chauvinistic. She is admired for fighting FGM and
early marriage and helping send vulnerable girls to school. She also helps
Resian and Taiyo join university.

Education is an important agent of change. 

Theme of Family Ties in Blossoms of Savannah
Family is a safe haven - a place of warmth, comfort, security and hope. As the
popular saying goes, blood is thicker than water. In Blossoms of the Savannah,
there are instances where this saying is negated but the author impresses upon
us the importance of the family in the development and well-being of a human
being. Life can be so difficult if members of one family do not speak the same
voice.

Ole Musanka said candidly, “Home is Maa, home is Nasila, home is family

and home is children. Kill one of the four pillars and there is no home to
speak about.” (pg 52)

Ole Kaelo has two daughters Taiyo and Resian. He loves Taiyo but resents
Resian. In a bid to protect Taiyo, he almost damages their close relationship
when he refuses her permission of participating in a musical extravaganza in
Mombasa.

He also has a subservient wife, Mama Jane Milanoi. Ole Kaelo feels cheated by
nature when her wife bears two daughters when he had prayed for three sons.
He is proud of Taiyo his elder daughter who is twenty years old. He detests
Resian because he had prayed for a healthy baby boy who would carry Kaelo
name to the next generation.

In Nasila, Ole Kaelo's younger brother Simiren acted as the head of the Kaelo
family when Ole Kaelo was away in Nakuru for about thirty years. He
represents his brother in intalego (festive occasion where rituals are
performed) e.g. initiation of girls, circumcision of boys or betrothal
ceremonies.

There is mutual respect between the two brothers. Simiren has four wives and
sixteen children while his elder brother only has one wife and two daughters
but Ole Kaelo remains the olmorijoi (male senior member of the family).
Simiren is contented with the subordinate (olbarnoti) position.

Simiren helps his brother by participating in the construction of his shop and
residential home before the relocation from Nasila. He helps in many other
matters including running small errands, purchasing and selling livestock
among others.

A father is the head of the family in Nasila. He makes decisions on behalf of

the family. The decision he makes affects the whole family.
“It was the man who makes decisions as to which direction their lives took.
When he took a wrong decision, the family was the one to bear the brunt of
its unpalatable consequences” (pg. 114)

This is why Ole Kaelo denies his daughter Taiyo a chance of participating in
the musical extravaganza which he equates to harlotry.

Taiyo and Resian have a pretty close and cordial relationship. For this reason
Resian feels alarmed when Taiyo begins to warm up to Joseph Parmuat.

She loves her sister and she’s afraid of losing her, let alone sharing her love
with someone else.

“She swore-inkilani-e-papaai-she would hate anyone who came between her

and her sister”

Taiyo is infatuated with Joseph Parmuat. She is incensed when she is told
about her clan relations with him. Since they belong to the same
clan Ilmolenian and sub clan Iloorasha-kineji, they are considered brother
and sister and a romantic relationship between them is deemed illicit. (pg. 49,
70)

A father is the pillar of the family he holds a central position in the home and
plays the important role of making the family stable. “Any sign of instability
in him, was the worst threat to their lives” (pg. 120)

A father also protects his family. Ole Kaelo is so mad when he learns about her
daughters experience in the hands of potential rapists. He mobilizes other
men to the clan to hunt down the culprits. He does not rest until Ntara Muyo
and Lante son of Kanyira are apprehended and duly punished.

Ole Kaelo and mama Milanoi are overcome by greed and materialism at some
point that they fail to protect their daughters. For one, they plan to have them
circumcised against their will. They also plan to marry off Resian to a rogue
businessman Oloisudori Lonkiyaa, despite knowing her passion to pursue
university education.

Oloisudori is a wealthy man and Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi are blinded by
his cash and gifts. He also helped Ole Kaelo to secure contracts and helped
him build his house. When Ole Kaelo is forced to chose between family (his
daughters) and opulence, he opts for the latter thus ruining his family.
When a family fails to share opinions and values ultimately misunderstanding
would crop up. This may lead to irreparable damage to the core fundamentals
that are supposed to hold a family together.

A parent has a duty of bringing up their children, educating them and

protecting them at all times (pg. 111)

Theme of Love in Blossoms of the Savannah

Love gives Resian and Taiyo the strength to overcome the oppression they face
at Nasila. It’s also because of his love for Taiyo that Joseph Parmuat sacrifices
and saves her from Oloisudori. Although Parmuat loses his life, Taiyo and
Resian emerge triumphant at the end.

Mama Milanoi loves and respects her husband Ole Kaelo “she loved him too
and had child-like dependence on him” (pg. 29)

Resian loves Taiyo so much that when her sister develops intimate feelings for
Joseph Parmuat, she becomes fearful because she is not ready to share or lose
Taiyo love (pg. 44)

Taiyo’s love for Joseph Parmuat is, however, deemed illicit since culturally
they are considered as brother and sister. During his lesson, Parmuat teaches
them about various kinds of love among the Maa including conventional love,
patureishi (platonic) love etc. 

During her harrowing stay in abduction, Resian can’t stop reminiscing about
her sweet loving sister Taiyo.

“Always ready to listen always soothing her anger, stress or anxiety” (pg.

220)

Taiyo is tricked in to going to Esoit and getting circumcised because of her

love for Resian she had compassionately taken her sister as her responsibility.
She accompanies the women from Esoit ostensibly to save Resian’s life. (pg.
272)

Minik and Nabaru also show rare love to others and this may negate the
popular saying, blood is thicker that water.
Theme of Determination in Blossoms of the Savannah

Determination always pays off. Characters like Resian, Minik ene Nkotoi and
Nabaru have strong resolve and they are awarded for it. Resian is determined
to escape the jaws of FGM and early marriage. Minik ene Nkotoi fights the two
vices ceaselessly and Nabaru nurses Resian patiently and helps her escape
from Inkiito where Olarinkoi was planning to have her circumcised, married
off to Olarinkoi and abducted to Tanzania

Resian hopes to convince her father to allow them to return to Nakuru and
enrol at Egerton University. She asks her sister Taiyo to persuade him and she
feels angry at her when she seems to procrastinate. (pg. 58)

Taiyo later speaks to her father concerning Resian’s request albeit

unsuccessfully. Resian remains hopeful and optimistic that divine power
would prevail upon their father and they would get an opportunity to realize
their dreams. (pg. 99)

Even their mother Mama Milanoi knows that Resian is a hard nut to crack
because of her steadfastness. She knows that it would not be a walk in the park
to convince her to marry Oloisudori. No amount of intimidation of threats
could easily break her.

“She was obstinate and defiant.” (pg. 118)

Together with Taiyo, Resian tells Parmuat that they will never allow the
parents to marry them off. Resian has a burning desire for higher education
and is always buried in a book. (pg. 135,169)

Throughout the course of the novel Resian is preoccupied with thoughts of

joining Egerton University to study Veterinary Science and she is portrayed as
a young woman with sheer resolution and unwavering determination.

Her determination is so firm that she mutters courage to broach the topic to
her father. Her father dismisses her angrily since he has plans to marry her off
instead but she does not give up (pg. 183)

Resian’s tenacity is highlighted when she resolves to hand back Oloisudori’s

gifts. She received silk materials, a golden pendant, a golden bracelet and a
golden ring which she duly hands back to him.
“It was therefore an insult to their intelligence, dignity and integrity to think
that mere material things such as gifts he lavishly gave them would sway
them from the goals they had already set for themselves” (pg. 196)

Although the odds are against her and her parents have literally sold her to
Oloisudori, she fights tenaciously to avoid marrying the powerful affluent
man.

“You are mad” Resian screamed at him “you are stark mad if you think I am
your wife. I can only be your wife over my dead body.” (pg.204)

Resian knows that her father is determined to marry her off to Oloisudori but
she keeps pestering him about the prospect of joining university (pg 207). She
says she would rather die than marry Oloisudori and even if she’s eighty years
old she would still go to university (pg 210).

She defies her father and chooses to run away from home, her heart filled with
the desire of meeting Minik ene Nkoitoi, her only paragon of hope of joining
university.

Resian’s tenacity is displayed when Olarinkoi attempts to rape her. She fights
him fiercely like a lioness and bites his thumb severely, and manages to stop
the brute from sexually abusing her. Resian braces three harrowing weeks at
Inkiito, living in a dilapidated shanty and nursing wounds from Olarinkoi’s
beating. She thinks of the Biblical story of Job who triumphs over tribulations
and lacerating injustice because he was stoic, focused and able to persevere.
She resolves to mentally fight off Olarinkoi and his mother in the event that
she fails the physical test.

“She resolved to remain focused and she prayed for strength and endurance
to be able to beat all these misfortunes.” (pg 230)

She plans to implore Nabaru and supplicate her to help her escape from the
torturous stay at Inkiito. (pg 242)

The escape from Inkiito is not an easy one. She determinedly perseveres and
Nabaru urges her to press on. (pg. 248). Nabaru admits that she was inspired
by Resian’s bravery. It made her traverse the dangerous terrain to look for a
driver, Lebutu, who was instrumental in their escape. (pg. 253) 

Even Minik congratulates her for resisting the enticement of Oloisudori’s

riches and the iron will of fighting off Olarinkoi and enduring three harrowing
weeks at Inkiito. (pg. 264)
Her determination pays off when she eventually manages to join Egerton
University having escaped early marriage and FGM. She is truly the blossom
of the savannah, the cream of the generation and the future of the nation.

Minik ene Nkotoi is also a determined woman. She manages to study and
obtain a degree in Veterinary Science in a stifling environment choking with
male chauvinism and repressiveness against women. She also handles a
humongous task of managing an expansive sheep rank with  hundreds of
workers working under her. Her biggest achievement may be the fact that she
has rescued over 500 girls from the claws of early marriages and FGM and
assisted them to continue with education. She also fiercely tells off Oloisudori
when he tries to tear off either Taiyo or Resian out of her care. She withers the
storm of constant insolent remarks and intimidation from chauvinists such as
Ole Musanka and Ole Supeyo. She is branded entagoroi but she has a huge
passionate following of admires who call her Emakererei.

Nabaru also deserves a notable mention in her determined fight to rescue

Resian and rescue her from Inkiito.

Surely, perseverance and focus lead to victory. Those who are determined
always emerge victorious no matter how difficult and harrowing the situation
is.

Theme of Moral Decadence in Blossoms of the Savannah

Many characters fail to uphold morality in society. Greed and materialism,

sexual perversion among other ills have resulted in decline, depravity and
decay of moral values. This can be attributed to the friction between
traditional beliefs and the changes brought about by modernity. Oloisudori,
Ole Kaelo and Olarinkoi are some of the characters that are used to highlight
this theme.

The origin of FGM is hinged on moral decay. The Ilarinkon forced the Maa
women to perform indecent provocative dances while exploiting them. (pg.
86)

Oloisudori is not only corrupt but also lewd. The manner he handles Resian
when they first meet shows that he lacks proper moral values. Resian
describes him as an ill-mannered devil. (pg. 93)
Oloisudori is a also notorious criminal. He is involved in poaching, smuggling
and robbery. He is also an extortionist who tricks his victims by lending them
colossal amounts of money or helping them secure contracts. He would later
make ludicrous demands and threats. He is even suspected to be a member of
a cult.

The emotions of fear and greed compel Ole Kaelo to get involved with
Oloisudori. He is so blinded by his selfish ambition that he fails to heed his
friend Ole Supeyo’s warning to cut links with Oloisudori whose name is
synonymous with bank robberies, assassination and disappearances of people.
Ole Kaelo’s primary goal is success - fortune and prosperity. To him, the end
justifies the means.

Oloisudori is seemingly successful. He is affluent to a fault. He has six houses

and various thriving business. This is the bait that hooks Ole Kaelo who is
burning with insatiable desire for success.

Oloisudori’s immorality would not be condoned by culture in the past. Nasila

culture had norms for punishing old men lusting after young girls. That aspect
of culture is since moribund and impotent. (pg. 115-117)

The depravity of moral values is juxtaposed with the pollution of Nasila River
which was once pure and safe to drink. Culture, just like the river, has been
polluted and defiled by the likes of Oloisudori. (pg. 117-118)

Ntara Muyo and Lante are punished when they try to rape Taiyo  and Resian.
They are both admonished and tried. Olarinkoi also suffers physical and
emotional pain when he unsuccessfully attempts to rape Resian.

Ole Kaelo is irked when the two young men assault his daughter. He attributes
the incident to “corruption of Nasila morals”.

Ole Kaelo makes futile attempts to purge Oloisudori by claiming others had
commuted bigger crime like Goldenberg and Anglo-leasing and had invested
the proceeds of the corruption in housing estates, shares, tourism, transport
etc.

Failure to uphold morality results in nothing but sheer retribution and regrets.
Ole Kaelo loses his two daughters due to his foolish decision.

Oloisudori fails to marry Resian, is clobbered by Minik’s men and his

expensive vehicle are destroyed and Olarinkoi suffers physical pain and
emotional trauma after he abducts and attempts to rape Resian. 
Theme of Greed/Materialism in Blossoms of the Savannah

Ole Kaelo and mama Milanoi seems to value material things like house and
money more than their own daughters. They consider material possessions
and physical comfort as more important than Resian and Taiyo's ambitions
and their family values.

Oloisudori played an important role in giving them the financial foothold they
are enjoying in Nasila. Ole Kaelo is double crossed to view him as a brother.

“There is nothing that he ought to be denied in this home” (pg. 98)

These words come back to bite him when Oloisudori demands to marry his
teenage daughter Resian. This gives the Kaelo's long, troubled, sleepless
nights. (pg. 107)

Ole Kaelo seeks the joy that comes with fortune and prosperity. That’s why he
gets involved with Oloisudori. The end may be horrible, but he thinks it
justifies the means. 

Oloisudori is a prosperous business magnate and Ole Kaelo admires the

temptation of instant riches. His blind desire draws him into an abyss of
murky business with Oloisudori. This is akin to the torment of flies that a cling
to a stinking, rotten carcass (pg. 109)

He chooses to betray Resian as a sacrificial lamb simply to save his

investments and assets. This he does with a heavy heart. Since he makes the
vital decisions, he chooses wealth over family.

He tries to talk to Ole Supeyo in an attempt to safeguard the stocks in his

godown and not to save Resian from Oloisudori. To him, losing his business
premises, his stock and his house is more painful than losing his daughter. 

Since Oloisudori is stinking rich, he warms up to the idea of marrying off

Resian to him. 

Oloisudori lures him more with gifts and cash and he falls for it due to his
greed and materialism. He even takes him and Mama Milanoi to one of his
palatial homes. He thinks “it was only a stupid woman, like his daughter
Resian would probably be, who would turn down the offer to own the riches
he saw in Oloisudori's homes” (pg. 188)
He makes a firm decision inspired by greed “he was not going to allow his
daughter's ignorance to destroy her future. Whatever happened Resian was
to be married to Oloisudori” (pg. 191)

He is so engrossed in desire for riches that he jokes about forcefully abducting

and marrying off Resian. He goes ahead and makes an utterly irresponsible
decision of denying her a chance of enrolling at Egerton University.

Due to Ole Kaelo's greed and Mama Milanoi’s indifference, Resian and Taiyo
suffer great affliction.