essays for blossoms of the savannah

KCSE SET BOOKS ESSAY QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

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

Wednesday 16 October 2019

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

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

BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH ESSAY QUESTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

Strong women retaliate against unjust cultural practices and emerge victorious.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NEXT : Themes in Blossoms of the Savannah

210 comments:

Want to answer a question from blossoms of the Savannah

Thanks for the feedback.

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

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

How can i download the essays

how are the women their own enemies

Determination is key to success discuss it best on resian

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

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

How can I download essay s?

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

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

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

What is the answer to this

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

Anon 2 it is literally among the first essays above

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

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

Thanks for your contribution

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

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

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

Thanks for your contribution.

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

The question can't be a question. my bad

always wonderful and i need your invite as well

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

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

Pliz help me in English I am aform four student

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

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

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

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

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

I wish you all the best.

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

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

Thank you we've greatly benefit ed

Very informative. Thank you.

Thanks allot

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

Good stuff! Heko!

Thanks for the feedback!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks very good content

You're welcome. Thanks for the feedback.

Thank you so much

Optimism and ambition leads to victory

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

Thanks for the feedback

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Woooow I like it

I like the way you are answering questions

Thanks for the comment

It was nice

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

Yes it is possible if the character is changing events frequently

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

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

Thanks it helped me a lot...be blessed

You are welcome.

i have a question

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

plz answer me

Hello Mariah. For further assistance email [email protected]

How can i write for you guys and get paid

Change is inevitable in any society please answer this😩😩

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

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

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

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

Justice is only just if tampered with mercy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can i get answers to that please

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

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

Very informative. Keep up sir.

You're welcome.

DO you have an app

No I don't have

I'm afraid not.

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

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

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment.

Can i get pdf

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

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

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

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

Thanks a lot for founding this site

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

Very informative thank you.

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

Please let me know when English paper 1 is ready.

What roles women play in blossoms of the savannah

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

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

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

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

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

Please read question 10. Thanks.

How are women considered as lesser being by men

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

Thanks for the approbation. Humbly acknowledged.

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

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

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

Thank you sir am now some where

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

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

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

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

I have a qustion

[email protected]

Can l get the notes

Very interesting

How can I get it's PDF ( blossom essays

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

They are great but we need more

Thank you. We also need more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How is love of money the source of all evils

Kiswahili lugha ambayo yalikuwa na penda

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

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

Splendid wafula u have changed my life

how can l score full marks in blossoms of the savannah

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

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

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

Love ur essay

Thanks for letting me know more about the book

This article is so helpful

It really helps to obtain the best

Well done🙏🙏🙏

Assist me with the change is inevitable in any society

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

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

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

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

Tell Wekati something

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Blossoms of the Savannah Guide - Easy Elimu (6)

Get the Blossoms of the Savannah guide pdf here on EasyElimu.

Blossoms of the Savannah is a great novel written by Henry R. ole Kulet.

This EasyElimu Blossoms of the Savannah guide consists of the following sections:

Synopsis and summaries of all the chapters in Blossoms of the savannah full story

Characters and characterization in Blossoms of the Savannah

Themes in Blossoms
Language and style in Blossoms of the Savannah Notes
Sample excerpts from Blossoms of the Savannah questions and answers set 1
Sample and practice excerpts and extracts from Blossoms of Savannah with answers set 2
General essay questions and sample essays set 1
General essay questions and sample essays set 2

You can read these notes for free by downloading and registering on the EasyElimu Study App .

About the book

Blossoms of the Savannah is a book that is being tested in high schools under English paper 3- 101/3. It is the compulsory book for Kenyan Secondary Schools under English Literature. This book provides a thorough examination of the dynamics of the modern African male-controlled household. Blossoms of the Savannah, by Kulet, depicts a cultural melting pot where modern and traditional cultures assimilate and where social changes take place over time, albeit slowly. Where culture can never be static.

The author realizes that blaming colonial systems and changing times is futile and that we must accept responsibility for our own shortcomings and choices. Where some will be incapacitated by the crippling cultural obstacles that they face, others will blossom, just as certain plant species thrive in the harsh, hot Savannah region despite the extreme conditions that make it difficult for large plants to grow there.

Many students may find the set book difficult. However, this guide helps simplify the book and makes it easier for students to understand it so that they can pass their exams.

Sections of the Guide - Blossoms of the Savannah

Blossoms of the savannah summary notes chapter by chapter .

The novel Blossoms of the Savannah has 19 chapters in total plus the synopsis. This guide offers a summary of all the chapters in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah.

Synopsis of blossoms of the savannah
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 1: The journey
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 2: Nasila
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 3: Strange visitors
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 4: Home coming ceremony
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 5: Depressed one
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 6: Olarinkoi
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 7: Shadowy oloisudori
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 8: Troubled couple
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 9: Love
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 10: Olarinkoi versus the rapists
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 11: Change of environment
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 12: Retaliation
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 13: Oloisudori’s grand visit
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 14: The wealthy oloisudori
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 15: The real olarinkoi
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 16: Help
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 17: The promise
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 18: Sisters’ reunion
Blossoms of the Savannah summary notes chapter 19: Dream fulfilled

This guide provides an in-depth analysis of all the characters in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah. If you do not know the characters in the novel or their characterization, you will not be able to get a good grade on any question regarding this book. All the characters in Blossoms of the Savannah are:

Themes in Blossoms of the Savannah

Themes are issues that are consistent in a creative work. They are sub categories or sub topics of the subject matter or the main idea in a work of art. They constitute the entire message the writer wishes to put across to his or her readers. Therefore, themes are the messages put across by a writer in a work of art.

There are major and minor themes. Major themes cut across the text and are the main ideas the writer intends to pass to the readers. Minor themes are minor ideas which are still important in the text.

The novel addresses a number of issues including;

Language and style

The language used in literature is different from that used in other disciplines. Language in literature goes a notch higher because it is not only used originally but also innovatively. This contributes to aesthetics or beauty in literary texts hence appealing to the readers.

Style on the other hand can simply be defined as the unique manner of doing something. Just like everybody has a walking style and hair cutting style, playwrights have unique ways which they use to pass their messages to the audience.

There are a number of stylistic devices in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah. This guidebook will enumerate some of these devices inclusing;

Sample and practice excerpts and extracts with answers

With 19 chapters, Blossoms of the Savannah could have very many excerpts. With this guide, you can get Blossoms of the Savannah excerpts and answers in pdf format. All Blossoms of the Savannah excerpts included in this guide are aggregated from all KCSE and mock past papers. There are 2 sets of sample excerpts from blossoms questions and answers:

Sample and practice excerpts and extracts from Blossoms of the Savannah with answers set 2

General essay questions and sample essays.

This section contains general Q&As for Blossoms of the Savannah, which you can use to test yourself or get ideas for an essay. There are two sets of general essay questions and sample essays with answers:

Hone your essay writing skills with these awesome Blossoms of the Savannah essays.Each set has over 60 essay questions with answers.

Conclusion

This guide provides a comprehensive analysis of the novel Blossoms of the Savannah which will surely help students get a good grade when it comes to exam questions related to the novel. Additionally, this guide provides essay questions and answers about all aspects of the novel as shown above and can be downloaded in PDF format from our website .

Moreover, you can access this Blossoms of the savannah guide pdf free on the EasyElimu Study App .

Get it now!

Frequently asked Questions

What is the main theme in blossoms of the savannah.

There are various themes in the book Blossoms of the Savannah.

The major themes include:

Positive nasilian culture/traditions
Negative culture/traditions

Read up on this major and minor themes from Blossoms of the Savannah here .

Who are the antagonist in blossoms of Savannah?

The main antagonist in blossoms of the savannah setbook is Parsimei Ole Kaelo .

Note: An antagonist is a character who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something. In most cases the antagonist opposes and is hostile to the protagonist. Whether the protagonists character or ideologies.

Who was the mother of Olarinkoi in Blossoms of the Savannah?

Olarinkoi's mother is named simply Olarinkoi's mother in Blossoms of the Savannah. No other name exists for her in the setbook.

She is the old woman prophetess/ enkoiboni

Read more on the charactirization of Olarinkoi's mother here .

Why is Ole kaelo hesitant to say who he has made contact with explain your answer?

He is not sure his friend ole Supeyo will accept his plans to do business with Oloisudori. He feels that it is his guarded secret.

What is the guide of the Blossoms of the Savannah?

The guide of the Blossoms of the Savannah is a collection of summary notes chapter by chapters of the novel.

In the guide you get summary of the synopsis and chapters in the novel, traits (character and characterization, themes in the novel - chapter by chapter, language and style, excerpt questions with answers and general essay questions with answers from the actual novel.

What is the summary of the blossoms of the savanna?

This here is the summary of the novel by Henry R. ole Kulet written and distributed by EasyElimu.

What is the theme of the change in the blossom of the Savannah?

Change refers to transition or transformation of characters or situations.

Most of the changes in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah are caused by the erosion of the Maa culture as a result of its coming into contact with modern culture or civilization.

This causes alienation in characters and as a result they change.

Read more on the theme of Change on the EasyElimu Guide here .

What is the irony in the Blossoms of the Savannah?

Irony is a stylistic device that entails a writer depicting what is contrary to what is expected by the reader.

For instance, Mama Milanoi optimistically thinks that it would be easy for the couple to marry off their two girls at Nasila than Nakuru town (p.8).

However, this proves to be difficult later in the novel.

The two girls put up a spirited fight against their marriage to Oloisudori.

Resian escapes from her prophesied marriage to Olarinkoi while Taiyo escape shortly after undergoing FGM.

Read more on the sylistic device irony on the EasyElimu Guide here .

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SYNOPSIS AND SUMMARIES OF CHAPTERS - Blossoms of the Savannah

Characters and characterisation - blossoms of the savannah, themes - blossoms of the savannah, language and style - blossoms of the savannah, sample and practice excerpts and extracts with answers - blossoms of the savannah, general essay questions and sample essays with answers - blossoms of the savannah.

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Essays on Blossoms of the Savannah, The Pearl, Memories we Lost and other stories and A Doll's House

2019, JB Publishers

These are comprehensive essays on the novel The Peal by John Steinbeck, the novel Blossoms of the Savanah by Henry Ole Kulet, the play A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen and the collection of short stories, Memories we Lost specifically the story Window Seat, How Much Land Does A Man Need, The Hansdomest Downed Man in the World, No Need to Lie, Folded Leaf, My Father's Head, Hitting Budapest, The President and Light.

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TaMrin El-zHyrazy

A Doll's House is a controversial play written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It premiered at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 21 December 1879, having been published earlier that month. The play is about a Norwegian town around 1879. The play is critical and controversial for the way it deals with the fate of a wife, who at the time in Norway lacked reasonable opportunities for self-fulfilment during a male-dominated world. Though Ibsen denies he had intended to write down a feminist play, it aroused an excellent sensational response at the time and caused a "storm of outraged controversy" that went beyond the theatre to the media and society. Once the topic of public controversy, defended only by the avant-garde theatre critics of the nineteenth century, Ibsen's prose dramas now are famous as successful television plays and are an important part of the repertory theatre everywhere. They no more invite inflaming audience reactions and now acceptable fare to the foremost conservative theatre-goer. The basic objective of this paper is to make learners aware of the play 'A Doll's House' and to discuss about the author, the period, and the text, This paper also discusses the character sketch of the major characters, the significance of the title of the play, and also provides the critical analysis of the play.

International journal of applied research

KUMAR MADAR

In Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, the central conflict revolves around Torvald’s controlling; demeaning treatment of his wife Nora. The tragedy of the story is not only to superiority of the husband over his wife but also the dehumanizing of the children, who are never given a voice or allowed the possibility of bettering their position. They begin the story under an institution that has marginalized them, and they remain confined to subhuman status throughout the play. In this way, Ibsen’s work; as he claims goes beyond being a work about woman’s rights and becomes instead a work dealing with the rights of all human struggling under an oppressive, patriarchal society.

Lauren Kavanagh

This research paper attempts to give a feminist analysis of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House based on the Anglo-American approach to feminist literary theory. It will first explain the feminist literary theory as a term as well as a practice and its function in literary criticism, followed by an explanation of the Anglo-American approach and some of its prominent writers. The paper will also explore how and to what degree (if at all) Henrik Ibsen, who is mostly famous for his realist dramas but has also been credited for his feminist characters and content, is involved with the women's cause by referring to some of his speeches, letters and acquaintances. It will then attempt a feminist analysis of the play based on the Anglo-American approach and Showalter's feminist critique, using quotes from and references to the three acts of the play as a justification to show how Henrik Ibsen challenged the stereotypi-cal representation of women in literature with his female characters .

This thesis examines the experience of loss in Anne Landsman’s novels The Devil’s Chimney (1997) and The Rowing Lesson (2008), and Rachel Zadok’s Gem Squash Tokoloshe (2005). Positing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as an impetus for emerging literary traditions within contemporary South African fiction, the argument begins by evaluating the reasons for the TRC’s widespread impact, and considers the role that the individual author may play within a culture which is undergoing dramatic socio-political upheavals. Through theoretical explication, close reading, and textual comparison, the argument initiates a dialogue between psychoanalysis and literary analysis, differentiating between two primary modes of experiencing loss, namely traumatic and nostalgic memory. Out of these sets of concerns, the thesis seeks to understand the inextricability of body, memory and landscape, and interrogates the deployment of these tropes within the contexts of traumatic and nostalgic loss, examining each author’s nuanced invocation. A central tenet of the argument is a consideration, moreover, of how the dialogic imagination has shaped storytelling, and whether or not narrative may provide therapeutic affect for either author or reader. The study concludes with an interpretation of the changing shape of literary expression within South Africa.

Rédouane Abouddahab

Daniyal Wali

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Blossoms of the Savannah summary, analysis, and characters

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

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

Blossoms of the Savannah characters

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

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

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Blossoms of the Savannah summary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blossoms of the Savannah episodes

The novel has 28 episodes as follows:

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

Photo of Larry Madowo Greeting William Ruto with One Hand Ignites Mixed Reactions: "Voter Is the Boss"

Analysis of Blossoms of the Savannah

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

1. Gender inequality

Gender inequality is one of the major themes in almost all aspects of Taiyo and Resian's lives. Like many other parts of the country, women in Nasila are treated as subordinate to their male counterparts. As a result, they are denied the freedom to make decisions about their lives.

For instance, women are expected to be monogamous, while men are polygamous. Furthermore, women have no choice over who to marry. Lastly, Taiyo and Resian are seen as law violators upon resisting FGM and wanting to further their education.

2. Corruption

Oloisudori is one of the main characters embodying the theme of corruption. He offers government contracts to people before using them as leverage against his business partner. Despite everyone knowing how corrupt he is, nothing is done to stop him because his practice has been normalized.

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Kaelo's daughter displays courage in facing all the tragic incidences they face. They courageously escape their aggressors, including family, are self-defensive against attempted rape and speak out against unjust cultural practices . Minik also fearlessly takes in girls running away from arranged marriages and FGM.

4. Coming of Age

The novel explores the coming-of-age theme by outlining the nature of adolescence and how complex it is to become an adult in the Maa community. The people of Nasila are seen exerting much pressure on Resian and Taiyo's parents to circumcise the girls as a rite of passage to alleged womanhood.

5. Family Ties

The book brings out the strong family ties, the foundation of the Maa society and culture. Each character is seen as a daughter, son, father, or mother rather than an individual self. Therefore, their identities are pegged on their roles in the family unit. Leaving home means breaking societal and family ties.

Betrayal in the City summary, themes, analysis, study guide

All characters in the novel have a set of obligations they are expected to fulfil. For instance, Mama Milanoi must respect and support her husband's decisions. Ole Kaelo must provide for his family and prepare his children for marriage. The daughters must obey and follow authority.

Blossoms of the Savannah summary and analysis is a good read for book enthusiasts or anyone who enjoys a good and insightful story. As a Kenyan, readers will notice that the novel captures almost everything they have experienced. It reminds the readers about the conflicting co-existence of modern and traditional cultures.

Tuko.co.ke shared an article about Father of Nations. This is a satirical novel set in Africa and published in 2013. Through the novel, the talented author brings to date all the things that have gone amiss in Africa. The frustrations of Africans under poor leadership are also explored.

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After going through the summary, analysis and character of Father of Nations, this novel will surely become a must-read. African, especially, will enjoy reading it as everything they have seen, heard or gone through has been highlighted in this book.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Tue. Apr 16th, 2024

2023 KCSE Prediction Mocks- Free Download

Kcse Exams Revision Material

Blossoms of the Savannah KCSE Prediction Essay Questions and Answers

Blossoms of Savannah Essay Questions and Answers

1. “Though Resian goes through the valley of death, her determination leads her to a victorious life.” Write a composition to show the validity of this assertion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Help can come when least expected. Discuss.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Melissa J. Grishow Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Melissa J. Grishow of Savannah, Missouri, who passed away on April 14, 2024, at the age of 83, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.

She was predeceased by : her parents, John Hilsenbeck and Edna Hilsenbeck (Smith); her son Richard Grishow; her brother Charles Hilsenbeck; and her son-in-law Bobby Dreher.

She is survived by : her daughter Shirley Dreher of Savannah; and her daughter-in-law Cathy Grishow of Deepwater. She is also survived by nine grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 19th 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Breit-Hawkins Funeral Home (1010 Highway 71 South, Savannah, MO 64485). A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 20th 2024 at 10:00 AM at the same location.

Memorial contributions can be made to Freudenthal Hospice 2425 N Woodbine Rd Ste. A, St Joseph, Mo 64506.

There's still time to send flowers to Melissa J. Grishow's service.

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Conversing with canvas and paint

Inspired by global travel, alumnus Lavar Munroe creates dreamlike versions of our world.

Lavar Munroe paints in his Baltimore studio. (Photo: Alyssa Schukar)

“Make ugly paintings.” That was the advice that Lavar Munroe, MFA ’13, received from his professors in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts.

“My graduate experience was simultaneously challenging and fulfilling,” he says, as he recalls his days as a graduate student and burgeoning artist.

Munroe , who originally trained at the Savannah College of Art and Design, arrived at Sam Fox to pursue graduate work after a few years spent as a freelance illustrator. “At that point, I probably hadn’t painted for two or three years because I was doing mostly digital work,” he says. “It’s like I had to relearn how to paint.”

At heart, the advice was to allow imperfection into his work. “I would take a knife, stab the canvases and cut out the areas that I didn’t like,” he says. He would then sew the canvases back together, often incorporating objects like old shoes or hair pieces found in the streets of St. Louis. Today, his work includes mixed-media painting, cardboard sculpture and drawings, all of which he says evoke an “otherworldly, dreamy, theatrical space.”

Munroe’s upbringing in the Bahamas introduced him to color, line and shape early on. “I come from a culture of decoration,” he says. As a child, he participated in the Junkanoo festival, an annual event that features elaborate cardboard costumes embellished with materials like glass, sequins, feathers, glitter and synthetic silk flowers. “These are Junkanoo materials, but these are also the materials that happen in my work now,” he says.

A prestigious 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship will aid his travel to Zimbabwe, where he has recently turned his attention. “I’m doing a project about an all-night ceremony I witnessed called a ‘bira,’ through which the spirit of a recently deceased. person is called back home,” he says. The ritual ends when the spirit speaks to the community through a mediator, who is usually able to channel the deceased’s voice. Munroe has already exhibited paintings based on the ritual at Larkin Durey in London and the Monique Meloche Gallery in Chicago.

Travel has served as a crucial source of inspiration throughout his career. Five years spent on and off in Senegal — particularly in smaller cities and villages like Saint-Louis, Tambacounda and Sinthian — culminated in a series of paintings titled Red Bones. “During this time I would gather material in Senegal and then come back to the studio in the United States to make work about those experiences. Instead of writing in a journal, I made paintings,” he explains.

Munroe thinks of his process as akin to anthropology. “Research, in my instance, is travel research,” he says. “I go into a space to observe and learn.”

Yet the visual inspiration collected during his travels soon transforms into something larger. “When I’m painting, any sort of reference goes away, and it becomes like a conversation between myself, the paint and the canvas.”

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Blossoms of the Savannah FAQs With Answers

Table of Contents

What are Blossoms of the Savannah short notes?

“ Blossoms of the Savannah ” is a novel written by Henry Ole Kulet. Here are some short notes summarizing key aspects of the novel: – Author: Henry Ole Kulet – Genre: Fiction – Setting: The story is set in a Maasai community in Kenya, primarily in the rural Savannah landscape.

The novel explores various themes, including cultural clashes, gender roles, education, modernization, family dynamics, loyalty, and the consequences of choices. – Protagonists: The two main characters are sisters named Taiyo and Resian.

The novel follows the lives of Taiyo and Resian as they navigate the challenges posed by their traditional Maasai culture and the modern world. They struggle to fulfill their aspirations for education and personal growth while facing societal expectations and gender-specific roles. The story delves into the clash between tradition and progress, the effects of rapid urbanization on rural communities, and the power of determination in overcoming adversity.

Supporting Characters:

Other significant characters in the novel include their father, Ole Kaelo, who is a respected figure in the community; Oloisudori, a suitor and love interest; Olarinkoi, a young man who supports Resian’s aspirations; and other members of the Maasai community who represent different perspectives and influences.

The novel incorporates storytelling, vivid imagery, and cultural references to depict the Maasai way of life and the challenges faced by the characters.

Significance:

“Blossoms of the Savannah” is considered a significant piece of Kenyan literature as it explores themes of cultural identity, education, gender dynamics, and the impact of modernization on traditional communities. Please note that these are just brief notes and the novel itself contains detailed character development, plot twists, and a nuanced exploration of various themes.

What is the importance of the blossoms of the Savannah?

“Blossoms of the Savannah” is an important novel for several reasons:

Representation of Kenyan Culture:

The novel provides a glimpse into the Maasai culture and traditions in Kenya. It explores the complexities of this community, their customs, and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. “Blossoms of the Savannah” serves as a valuable representation of Kenyan culture for both local and international readers.

Exploration of Social Issues:

The novel addresses several important social issues that are still relevant today, such as gender inequality, the clash between tradition and modernity, the importance of education, and the consequences of social pressures. Through its storytelling, the novel prompts readers to reflect on these issues and opens up discussions about cultural practices and societal norms.

Empowerment of Female Characters:

“Blossoms of the Savannah” emphasizes the empowerment of its female characters, Taiyo and Resian. Despite the limitations imposed by their community, they strive for education, personal growth, and the pursuit of their own dreams. The novel portrays the strength, resilience, and determination of these young women, showing the potential for change and redefinition of gender roles.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage:

The novel highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage and traditions while grappling with the influences of modernization. It raises questions about which aspects of tradition should be retained and adapted, and which should be challenged or discarded. This exploration encourages readers to appreciate the value of cultural heritage while engaging in critical thinking about its relevance in contemporary times.

Contribution to Kenyan Literature:

“Blossoms of the Savannah” is a significant contribution to Kenyan literature. It showcases the talent and storytelling capabilities of Henry Ole Kulet, one of Kenya’s prominent authors. The novel’s success and recognition have further enriched the literary landscape of Kenya and placed it on the global stage.

In summary,

“Blossoms of the Savannah” is important for its representation of Kenyan culture, exploration of social issues, empowerment of female characters, focus on cultural heritage, and contribution to Kenyan literature.

What is the theme of change in the blossoms of the savanna?

The theme of change in “Blossoms of the Savannah” revolves around the transformation of traditional Maasai culture into modern society. The story highlights the clash between the older generation who hold on to long-standing customs and the younger generation seeking a different path. It explores how external influences such as education, urbanization, and political changes impact the community’s traditions and way of life, ultimately leading to a shift in beliefs, values, and dynamics within society. The theme of change in the novel encompasses individual growth and development, societal transformation, and the challenges faced in navigating these changes.

What is the conclusion of the blossoms of the Savannah?

The conclusion of “Blossoms of the Savannah” sees the two main characters, Resian and Taiyo, facing various challenges and undergoing personal growth throughout the story. They confront gender inequality, societal expectations, and the clash between modernity and tradition. Towards the end, Resian escapes an arranged marriage and pursues her education, while Taiyo realizes the importance of embracing her Maasai identity. The novel also addresses corruption and the abuse of power, as the characters uncover a scandal involving the local council and strive to bring justice to their community. Overall, the conclusion of the novel offers some resolution to the characters’ struggles, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the Maasai people in the face of change.

Blood is Thicker Than Water in Blossoms of the Savannah Essay

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Stan Becton | NCAA.com | April 15, 2024

Here's every 2024 hbcu football homecoming and classic in the fcs.

In HBCU football, a "classic" matchup has been a premier event for decades. An HBCU homecoming can be even bigger, bringing together former alumni to celebrate. Both classics and homecomings can often see rivals play head-to-head and carry historical value. Fans, players, alumni and more all get excited for these games.

In 2024, there are multiple classics and homecomings that feature at least one HBCU team from the FCS level. Below, we'll provide the scheduling information for these games, plus a few additional headliner HBCU football matchups, including the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Celebration Bowl, for instance.

That said, here is every HBCU homecoming and classic scheduled for 2024:

2024 HBCU homecoming schedule

Some notable DII homecoming games include:

Oct. 12 | Fort Valley State | Opponent: Allen (SC)
Oct. 19 | Clark Atlanta | Opponent: Miles
Oct. 19 | Bowie State | Opponent: Bluefield State
Nov. 9 | Winston-Salem State | Opponent: Fayetteville State
Nov. 9 | Tuskegee | Opponent: Miles
Date TBD | Morehouse | Opponent: TBD

2024 HBCU classic schedule

Here are some recent classics that have yet to be announced yet as of Apr. 15:

Lincoln (PA)
Livingstone
Central State

Here are some notable classics featuring DII schools:

Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic | Virginia State vs. Benedict | Sept. 1 | Location: Canton, OH
Red Tails Classic | Tuskegee vs. Johnson C. Smith | Sept. 1 | Location: Montgomery, AL
Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic | Tuskegee vs. Morehouse | Oct. 5 | Location: Columbus, GA
Fountain City Classic | Fort Valley State vs. Albany State | Nov. 9 | Location: Columbus, GA

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Blossoms of the Savannah

By h. r. ole kulet, blossoms of the savannah literary elements, setting and context.

Nasila, a small village in Africa

Narrator and Point of View

The novel has a third-person omniscient narrator, focalized mostly through the point of view of Resian, the younger daughter of Kaelo.

Tone and Mood

The tone is mostly a combination of fear and anger from the perspective of the sisters. The mood is one of helplessness at the start of the novel, but changes gradually to one of optimism.

Protagonist and Antagonist

Resian and Taiyo are the protagonists; their parents are the antagonists.

Major Conflict

There is conflict throughout the novel between Resian and her father, as she wants to attend university but he demands that she become a dutiful wife following the strict traditions in Nasila.

Both Taiyo and Resian manage to escape to Tanzania thanks to the medicine woman who takes care of them.

Foreshadowing

Olarinkoi's apparent willingness to help Resian escape foreshadows the revelation that his real intention is to kidnap her for himself.

Understatement

Kaelo describes female circumcision simply as a tradition, which understates the mutilation done to the women and the barbaric nature of the process.

Each of the characters is described using exceptionally vivid visual imagery, and the surroundings are described in such a way that the author employs our other senses as well, particularly our sense of smell, describing the foliage in the village.

Parallelism

Metonymy and synecdoche.

The term "the village" is used an a metonymy to refer to the individuals living there.

Personification

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Blossoms of the Savannah Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Blossoms of the Savannah is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Why does Kaelo agree to his daughter's marriage to Oloisudori?

Oloisudori is a powerful man, and he is so feared by everyone that the people believe he will never be brought to justice. When he makes known his intent to marry Resian, he knows that her father will not say no because to do so would mean the end...

Why does Ole Kaelo enter into business deals with Oloisudori yet he knows he is a criminal?

Kaelo needs the money to procure bank loans for his business, as well as the fact that Oloisudori is responsible for having gotten him some of his contracts. Kaelo puts business first and aligns himself with a criminal.

Who is 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,...

Study Guide for Blossoms of the Savannah

Blossoms of the Savannah study guide contains a biography of H. R. Ole Kulet, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

About Blossoms of the Savannah
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