BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH by H.R Ole Kulet

BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH by H.R Ole K ulet. Imagine if a good friend and an agemate of yours helps you to secure a loan and promises to assist you to get government tenders to grow you newly opened business. With the loan money you are able to put up a good business in your rural area as well as build your family a great home. When all is set and done you lose your job. Chances are you will venture in your blossoming business and settle your family in the newly build house. Unfortunately, your so called friend “falls in love with your “teenage daughter at first sight and wants to marry her, actually, as a matter of agency. What will you do? Will you give out your young daughter for marriage to your agemate ? Or will you risk losing the government contracts and have your loan guarantor withdraw and save your blood? Lets assume you opt to give her out, how will you bridge the matter to her, your friends and family, what if she refuses the offer? As a young girl, suppose you realize that your parents have been planning to marry you off to an old man and will stop at nothing yet they know you have been looking forward joining university for your degree. Your husband to be although old, he is stinking rich, drives the biggest machines on the land, lives in palatial homes, dresses executively and lives a luxurious life in general. Apart from his looks which might be negatively influenced by age he is a dream husband to many girls and ladies. Will you get married at the expense of your education? or will you go for your studies thus ignoring your parents wish and plan ? That is the story of Blossoms of the Savannah..

The novel revolves around the conflicting cultural differences between native and modern Maasai people in Kenya. Blossoms of the Savannah was published in 2008. The text has won many awards and recognition which include; Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature in recognition of its achievements in opening up fruitful public discourse about how these cultures can co-exist and being chosen by the Ministry Of Education in Kenya to be a compulsory set book examinable in the Kenya certificate of secondary education (KCSE) from 2018 to date. Blossoms of the Savannah is the story of two beautiful courageous young Maasai girls Resian and Taiyo. They are born and bred in the city of Nakuru by their parents Persimei Ole Kaelo and Mama Jane Milanoi who live a modern life and hardly follow the dictates of their culture and traditions; the Maa culture. Their lives take a sharp turn after their father is retrenched from Agribix job. He had worked there for over twenty years and decides to relocate his family from Nakuru town to his rural village of Nasila. Things fall apart when; the two girls are torn between chasing their dreams or sitting down and fulfilling the societal expectations which includes getting circumcised, getting married and siring children among other duties given to them by the Maa culture. Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi on the other side have a hard choice to make between supporting their lovely daughters’ ambitions and ignoring the Maa culture or adhering to the traditions at the expense of the daughters wishes. Not forgetting the malicious Oloisudori who gives the whole family sleepless nights..

. This analysis divides the text’s plot into five sections; The Journey Back to Nasila Homecoming and Culture Shock. Oloisudori, Troubled Couple and Love The Rapists, Change Of Environment, Hit back and Grand Visit. The Extravagant Oloisudori, Olarinkoi true colors/roots, Help, The Promise, Re Union, Dream Fulfilled. The Journey Back to Nasila. (Covers Chapter One to Three ) The novel Blossoms of the Savannah begins with the family of Persimei Ole Kaelo relocating from Nakuru town to their rural home in Nasila. The family consists of Mama Jane Milanoi, Ole Kaelo’s wife and their two daughters Taiyo –the first born and Resian- the last born. Ole Kaelo has just lost his job as the commercial manager at an agricultural company called Agribix Ltd, being the bread winner; the family is forced to go back to their rural home. Resian and Taiyo can hardly comprehend how life will be in the village. Taiyo is unhappy she has to leave her boyfriend behind but she is optimistic life there will be favourable , Resian on the other end hopes their father will allow her to go back to Egerton University to further her education. Their journey is smooth although one of their trucks troubles them on the way, they arrive safely. The Kaelo’s are warmly welcomed by Uncle Simiren - Ole Kaelo’s younger brother, his four wives and their sixteen children. The author bring out the contrast between the crowded city of Nakuru with lots of noise from people and vehicles with the serene.

environs of Nasila where calm sounds of birds, cattle, and bleating sheep fill the air. One of Uncle Simiren’s wives invites Taiyo and Resian for breakfast where tea and bread is served after which they get an opportunity to move around the compound. The girls notice that there are four houses which they presume belongs to each of their uncle’s four wives. They come across “ Yeiyoo-Botor ” (the eldest wife) who introduces them to their sixteen cousins. After being granted permission by their mum Taiyo and Resian gets a chance to explore the neighborhood . True to their mothers worries they are approached by a seemingly bitter stranger on their way back home who demands to know if they are the “intoiye nemengalana” (uncircumcised girls) from Nakuru. He grabs Taiyo’s arm and asks the girls if they are the ones before rudely telling them that they have no place for their type (uncircumcised) in Nasila. Taiyo and Resian are scared by this incidence and on their way back to their uncle's home agree not to tell their parents about the encounter, fearing their father would blame them for moving around alone and without his consent. Ole Kaelo goes to visit his old friend, Ole Supeyo, a successful businessman who owns the largest cattle ranch in Nasila. He had been Kaelo’s boss before he moved to Nakuru; Ole Kaelo served as Ole Supeyo’s bookkeeper ( Ole Supeyo was illiterate and unable to count). Kaelo hints to him about his agricultural business and his forth coming large government contracts to provide industrial agricultural supplies through the generous support/connections of his one and only great friend Oloisudori..

Although Ole Supeyo is happy about Ole Kaelo’s progress, he warns him to be careful with the corrupt man Oloisudori and keep his daughters away from him for he is a she goat, he further asks if he is corrupt; Kaelo unconvincingly denies the accusation. Later, Kaelo’s family moves into their amazing new home in Nasila. Surprisingly, they discover that their new home resembles their old flat in Nakuru. Taiyo and Resian begin to unpack the many boxes of their belongings. Homecoming and Culture Shock. ( Covers Chapter Four to Six.) Kaelo’s family finally organizes a homecoming ceremony which is a success. The elders receive him back into the community pleading with him to fully embrace the culture of his people, Mama Milanoi and her two daughters are warmly received by Nasila women. During the ceremony, the girls are confronted by the same man who accosted them when they were taking a stroll around their uncle’s home. They also get to learn from the old man Ole Musanka that, Minik the Emakererei was a wasp according to Nasila people due to her spirited fight against circumcision and early marriages in the area. Actually, the girls are warned to stay away from her and her campaigns, an idea they don’t agree with for she has been their role model. The party turns out to be a revelation of a mixture of the good and the bad side of Nasila culture. Through songs, dances and feasting, the girls meet the handsome Joseph Parmuat, the teacher. Uncle Simiren is quick to notice the affection between Joseph Parmuat and Taiyo in their first encounter and signals Mama Milanoi to let them know they were related, traditionally they are a brother and a sister, thus they should engage with this in mind..

. The two sisters feel caged with no hope of breaking loose. After the homecoming ceremony, and with the words of Ole Musanka ringing in their heads loud and clear, the girls desperately want to live Nasila but it is not possible. The importance of circumcision as expressed by the Maa people is threatening their peace and the fear for what Taiyo describes as archaic tradition is now a reality. At the moment, Kaelo asks Mama Milanoi to prepare Taiyo and Resian for their wifely duties and requests Parmuat, their ‘brother’ to teach them about the Maa culture in preparation for circumcision. Mama Milanoi is opposed to the practice, she is afraid of the trauma it might cause the girls and possible resistance especially from Resian but she accepts because she does not want to question her husband and culture. The girls are thereafter taken to see their father’s business in Nasila town. Taiyo is excited about its uniqueness and beauty unlike Resian who is unmoved. Parmuat introduces the girls to Nasila culture, for instance he gives them a brief history about the origin of women circumcision and the reasons behind it. Taiyo and Resian are unhappy with the practice and promise to fight it, for it is uncalled for; Parmuat guarantees them his support and urges them to direct the blame of its persistence on women and not men. Oloisudori, Troubled Couple, Love. (Covers Chapter Seven to Nine.) Taiyo assures Resian that she will finally raise the issue of attending Egerton University with their father. While preparing lunch with Resian Mama Milanoi brings up the idea of circumcision and wants to know what she knows about it. Resian openly states that.

it is an outdated and oppressive practice that must be put to an end before their conversation is interrupted by a knock. Edward Oloisudori Loonkiya (Kaelo’s new friend and business partner) arrives in Kaelo home unexpected. After greetings, Resian informs him that her father is not at home and politely suggests he return later but he opts to wait for him. While serving him tea Oloisudori shamelessly touches Resian’s breast which makes her bitter and walks out. Moments later Kaelo arrives and Resian leaves to find Taiyo and Joseph with whom she shares her disappointed encounter with Oloisudori and her father’s reaction towards him. Joseph Parmuat informs the girls that Oloisudori is a known criminal, extortionist and infamous throughout Nasila for his criminal activity and predatory loans. The children return home to find Kaelo still talking with him. Afterward, Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi assure their daughters that nothing is wrong, but their anxiety is obvious. Kaelo continues and tells them that things are going to change at home, but assures them it is nothing serious. He further informs Mama Milanoi that Oloisudori wants to marry Resian and also has a friend who will be interested in Taiyo. Ole Kaelo confesses that their business and palatial home are fully financed by bank loans and financial aid that relies on Oloisudori’s support/influence. Oloisudori’s idea horrifies Mama Milanoi and she remembers when she was 10 years old an elderly man was crushing on a girl of Resian’s age. The Maa women collectively traced, trapped, beat and walked him through the town to publicly shame him. Today, the Maa culture has changed such that, this system of justice no longer exists. Neither Mama Milanoi nor Ole Kaelo tells their daughters about this discussion. Ole Supeyo ’s.

warning to beware of Oloisudori with his criminal background and reputation for robbery and murder keeps haunting Ole Kaelo, he is afraid he has to pay for his ignorance. Resian and Taiyo continues with their classes about Nasila culture, traditional songs and dances. Resian lacks interest leaving Taiyo and Joseph as dance partners. One day, Joseph returns to his house to find Taiyo in his bedroom. She apologizes for the intrusion and confronts Joseph about her feelings for him. She confesses her love for him and her preparedness to go against her father and Nasila culture to confirm this to him, Joseph also affirms his love to her. The two discuss the implications of their feelings for one another. Their culture explicitly forbids their relationship (although not blood relatives, their shared clan membership makes them a brother and a sister.) Joseph tells Taiyo that he is willing to bear the consequences of loving her, whatever they might be. Later that night, Joseph reflects on his promise to Taiyo and realizes that it is not easy to turn a blind eye to Nasila culture. The Rapists, Change Of Environment, Hit back and Grand Visit. (Covers Chapter Ten to Thirteen) Finally, Oloisudori planned time to pick up Resian from Kaelo’s household arrives. With no idea concerning her arranged marriage, Resian is anxious about her future while Taiyo continues to promise her to bring up the conversation about Egerton University with their father. A bird called the olmultut lands on the Kaelo’s home which, according to Joseph Parmuat, is assign of a bad omen. After her conversation.

with Joseph, Taiyo is in good spirits unaware of the impending marriage plans. That day, Taiyo and Resian go to work at the shop. In the afternoon, the girls walk home and encounter two well build men. They recognize one as the stranger who accosted them on their first trip around Nasila. The two men grab the girls, who scream for help as one of the men drags Taiyo into a bush and the other one wrestles Resian. Olarinkoi appears in time to save them, he fights off the attackers before assuring the girls about their safety and urges them to resume their walk home. The girls return home in tears and decide that it is high time they convince their parents to allow them to join Egerton University and escape the wrath of Nasila and its people who seem a threat to their lives. After Oloisudori’s visit, Ole Kaelo and Mama Milanoi decide to consult Ole Supeyo and Yeiyo Bottor respectively. Ole Supeyo doesn’t offer any tangible help but Simiren’s wives suggest that the girls should be allowed to go live with them. For the next few days, Resian and Taiyo live with uncle Simiren’s family and begin to see some of the positive aspects of Nasila culture and family life. Upon receiving the news about her daughters attack, Ole Kaelo gathers the men of the Imolelian clan. He and Joseph Parmuat lead a search party to find the men who tried to assault his daughters. The men conclude that the assailants are likely to be; Ntara and Kanyira. The mob eventually tracks down and confronts the two men who grovel at the feet of two elders which demands their life to be spared for they are remorseful according to dictates of the Maa culture. The two men are beaten badly but not killed. In a strange twist, Ole Kaelo discovers that Ntara is actually Taiyo and.

Resian’s cousin on their mother's side hence sparing the young man’s life turns out to have prevented major escalation and inter-tribal war. The two boys are fined two heifers each. Meanwhile, Ole Kaelo begins to realize that he is powerless against Oloisudori and can do nothing to stop the marriage from occurring short of losing his business and his home. The two girls learn of the punishment and demand the boys to be taken to the police and tried for their crime but their mother calms them dawn and normalcy is resumed. Oloisudori visits Ole Kaelo to pay his dowry for Resian and specifically asks to be served by her together with his friends. Resian is reluctant, however, after so much persuasion, she concedes and together with her sister they impress the guests to the pride of their parents. Oloisudori brings expensive gifts for every member of Kaelo’s family, Kaelo and his wife are amazed and humble by this generous act although the girls have their own reservations. Ole Kaelo tries to speak to his daughter Resian afterward about her future with an intention of breaking the news about her marriage to Oloisudori. Resian is excited thinking the father has at last considered taking them to Egerton University, this upsets Ole Kaelo and ends the conversation, yet again avoiding the issue of her marriage..

The Extravagant Oloisudori, Olarinkoi true colours /roots, Help, The Promise, Re Union, Dream Fulfilled . ( Covers Chapter fourteen to Nineteen) Ole Kaelo gives the responsibility of preparing lunch and waiting for Oloisudori to Resian, although she is reluctant and can’t understand why her father and Taiyo would not be around to help her deal with the monster, she accepts. On arrival, Resian is composed and entertains Oloisudori to his amazement with an aim of knowing their plans. Excited by her hospitality, her husband to be opens up and tell her how much he loves and adores her, he further continues and promises her that he will take her back to university immediately after being man and wife. He promises to do anything within his power to make her life the most enjoyable. Resian is angered by this revelation and promises him she will only get married to him over her dead body. Oloisudori confirms that she is to be his bride (after paying her bride price) and before that she must be circumcised. Resian can’t control her emotions, she leaves him in the compound, runs to her father’s store and tells him that she does not want to marry Oloisudori but wants to join Egerton University. She detests Oloisudori for being a monster. Ole Kaelo slaps Resian in the heated confrontation. Seeing that her father and Oloisudori had made up their minds about her marriage, she runs to a nearby river where she plans to take her life rather than giving herself to a monster but before she dives in the water, someone taps her shoulder. She turns back to see Olarinkoi, her savior. He is sorry for her misfortunes and begs her to trust him to save her from the situation and take her to the sheep farm run by Minik the Emakererei , an opponent of FGM who takes in girls.

in her situation. Resian agrees and Olarinkoi organizes a lorry that takes her to a small abandoned shack in a remote location after spending a night at an old woman’s house. On arrival, he orders her to prepare dinner before leaving. Later, he returns drunk and tries to rape Resian, but she bites his finger to near amputation in self defense. Resian passes out after receiving blows and beatings from Olarinkoi during the struggle and when she wakes up, she is greeted by an enkabaani ( traditional medicine woman) named Nabaru who nurses Resian back to health over a period of three weeks. Resian meets an old mono-eyed woman who is also a fortune-teller and Olarinkoi’s mother. She mocks Resian for not being a woman at her age (simply because she was not circumcised) her wealthy family and her husband to be, Oloisudori. She tells Resian that she is meant to be circumcised before officially marrying her son, this troubles Resian. Nabaru promises that she will do everything she can to help Resian escape Olarinkoi after Resian narrated to her everything that has happened to her since moving to Nasila and pleads with her for help. True to her words, one day in the middle of the night Resian is awakened by Nabaru who tells her that they have to leave immediately. Resian and Nabaru are chased by Olarinkoi but are able to get into a truck and lock the doors just in time. Three motorbikes catch up with them as they wait for their lorry to cool down on their way. One of the riders is Minik who also recognizes Resian having seen her picture in the papers which advertised her disappearance and promised a big reward to whoever who would find her. Minik orders the driver to take them to the farm so that they could talk more..

After a long journey, the two arrive at a large sheep ranch, where they are met by Minik , a sheep farmer and staunch opponent of FGM. Minik agrees to let Resian stay at the farm and promises to try her best to ensure she achieves her dream of going back to school, she also grants her wish of allowing Nabaru to stay in the ranch too for she had no place to go back to. Minik tells Resian that there is a girl being rescued from Nasila who was being forced into a marriage and circumcision. When the rescue team returns to the farm, Resian discovers that the rescued girl is Taiyo. The two girls are happy to be reunited. Although the team arrived too late for Taiyo to be saved from circumcision, they are able to prevent her marriage to Oloisudori. Unfortunately, the two girls learn from Minik that during the rescue mission Joseph Parmuat was killed for helping Taiyo escape. Minik promises to help them go back to Egerton University and ensure they are safe which she fulfils. Minik organizes a fare well party for Resian and Taiyo in the ranch, it is graced by the five hundreds plus rescued girls and ranch workers. Everyone is excited especially Resian and Taiyo who can’t believe that their dreams are about to be realized. The party is rudely interrupted by a fleet of vehicles which arrives at the farm; headed by Oloisudori and his bodyguards. They approach Minik . Oloisudori informs her that he has paid dowry for the two girls; Taiyo and Resian but only demands to be given at least one of them. To his surprise she courageously vows that none of the girls will be handed to him for marriage and commands him to leave her compound. Oloisudori and his people are shocked, adamant and want to force their way to get the girls when hundreds of farm workers and girls join together to fight them off. They are forced to.

flee to save their souls but their cars are badly damaged by the bitter crowd. The novel ends with Taiyo and Resian in company of Minik excitedly headed to Egerton university to pursue their degrees, after managing to blossom in a savannah. From the text we learn the beauty of being ambitions, selfless, courageous and being determined. Were it not for this strong trait for instance, Resian and Teiyo could have given up their academic goals to circumcise and get married only to please their father and Nasilians , Minik could also have bowed to the dictates of the culture allowing girls to continue suffering from FGM and forced early marriages. Nabaru and Joseph Permuat choose to help strangers and be at war with the culture than support its archaic practices; Joseph loses his life in the process. Through Ole Kaelo, Oloisudori and Mama Milanoi we get to see the effects of greed, immorality and effects of silence when injustice is happening among other bad vices. I recommend this text to all readers. We will be reviewing The Dolls House by Henry Ibsen and The Artist of the Floating World by kazuo Ishiguro soon. Hit that subscription button and you will be notified once the reviews are out. Thank you. Bye bye.