write a book review of blossoms of savannah

Engage: Discourses on Kenyan Literature

Saturday, october 31, 2015, a review of blossoms of savannah by henry ole kulet.

write a book review of blossoms of savannah

55 comments:

Quite informative and educative analysis.

I need characters and characterization plus themes of the book

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Does the book have any weaknesses? (Negative criticism is also acceptable)

Dear Derick,have you gotten anywhere with the text's themes/characterisation? Look into aspects of gender empowerment, social-cultural issues etc.

Good work....

Thank you, you are welcome to share your thoughts on other reviews too.

Larry where/how can I get the whole analysis of the novel for exam purposes? Kindly

Unfortunately I only usually do quick reviews and not necessarily in-depth analysis of the texts. Kindly share some specific issues and I will try to see how I can assist you

Larry Ndivo,kindly expound on themes, language and style and characterisation

Tough one this one Bwana Chege. Kulet's language is usually lyric owing to his concern with nature. He also tends to write in short sentences, draws a lot from the Maa tradition and writes symbolic narratives. Any helpful?

All themes tends to revolve around one umbrella theme which is culture and tradition but for the sake of examinations,how do we split them?

Embedded in the issue of culture is the gender problem. Also, where there is reference to tradition there is an aspect of conflict owing to the clash between the old and the new. What do you think?

More importantly, the theme of change which heralds all thst transpires. When he loses his job, he changes location, social status etc

Kudos Mr.Ndivo

Most grateful for this. Keep reading

Nice... but is there characterization of this book?

This comment has been removed by the author.

Thank you Emmanuel, yes there are varied perspectives through which the characters have been developed. Are there individuals you admire in the text? Why? Or, are there some personalities presented in the story that you dislike, probably because of their behaviour or how they treat others? If yes, why or for what? This should help you understand the roles of the characters and their values

I really need Chapter two synopsis

Antony, I hope you have now finished reading the text. Why don't you go right ahead and try it out then we can all bring our thoughts together? Thank you

The themes will mainly range from Gender based violence , tradition vs modernity, Education and its impact on culture, FGM , Oppression of women in a patriarchal society , Materialism and greed, Betrayal among others. My take.

This is part of the themes definitely, thank you for sharing. We sure hope there will be more views on the same. Good evening

Thank you Okello

how can i get the theme of the calture in chapter one and two

nice work I like it

You are welcome. Can we also hear your take on the text? It would be a pleasure to know what you found exciting about the story. Thanks

Hey guys, may you help me the analysis of characters and their characterization?????? And the issues of conflicts as it appeared within a novel?????

Dear Omari, What do you like or dislike about the characters? What values do they stand for? Do they agree with each other or not? If they don't why? Please share your thoughts. Thanks

Thanks I'd wish to have the thematic concerns of the novel, dramatic techniques and how relevant it is to the society today Thx

Looks good but I need to know about the male chauvinism and betrayal

Odhis shared this information through my email but I can't see it here. Probably it will be useful to some of you: Rowlings Odhiambo has left a new comment on your post "A Review of Blossoms of Savannah by Henry Ole Kule...": Hi emmauel, this link contains the characters and characterisations for the characters in blossoms of the savannah. I have no clue about the web page but if it gets you what you want I am happy for you. See below: https://www.easyelimu.com/high-school-notes/english/blossoms/item/509-characters-and-characterisation-blossoms-of-the-savannah All the best and keep sharing your thoughts on the text.

Hello, I deleted it because I was afraid to be reported as spamming :) but now that you have endorsed it, here is a link with more information on Blossoms of the Savannah, including -Synopsis and summary -Character and characterization -Themes -Language and styles -Sample practice questions and answers -Sample essays I hope it will be of help to someone. https://www.easyelimu.com/high-school-notes/english/blossoms

This is a nice book though I am not fully convinced by his choice of words and use of the local dialect requires one to get the meaning at the glosary instead of explaining the meaning immediately after the word

Thank you June for the observation. He uses a lot of them but also appreciate the fact that it would be tedious to incorporate all the descriptions within the narrative. But, does the use of the words hinder your understanding of the story? I will be glad to hear more from you. Keep reading

The use of the local dialect is one element that makes this novel interesting. One great value to the book is also to preserve the language. By doing this, in 10 to 50 years, these words will still exist through the novel. The local dialect clearly also indicates his direct audience, this is a clear message to them. We who read the glossary are other readers, but we also learn new words in a rich language. The local dialect also shows how rich African languages are.Ole Kulet does this beautifully.

quite informative the book is very educative

Thank you Dammaris. Enjoy your readings and share your thoughts too

I've read many of Kulet's books and i see this as so intriguing too, will drop my thoughts once ready. bought this book already,many thanks for the insight.

Good analysis Dr.Larry Ndivo.The book is so interesting that the themes base on the real life situation of our kenyan communities..negative effects of culture eg girl circumcision et cetera.

Men across have been portrayed as beasts, the few good ones like Parmuat become the sacrifice. Is it a true portrayal of how our society is?

Hey Larry, I have written a manuscript but I don't know how to get a reliable prove reader and later a publisher.My email is shown [email protected]

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Guys this is a fruitful discussion

Discuss deposition as a theme in blossoms of Savannah

I like it Dr. I now why you recommended to us, great review with content...

when he looses his job and relocates to nasila village,i think its more of alienation than change.what do u think?

It's physical change but when he gets there we see how alienated he and his family have become.

Hello @ Larry Ndivo. Please I need you as my Literature tutor and friend. I've successfully completed a bachelor's degree in literature.I believe I'm going to learn more with you. Thanks for your review. I like it.

Please write me through the email, [email protected], phone number 0703995963.Thanks

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 loans 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

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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.

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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.

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