Life at the rural Nasila is contrasted with that of Nakuru town. Uncle Simiren is a polygamous man. He has four wives and sixteen children. Each of these wives has a house .

The girls are introduced to the sixteen cousins by the senior most aunt, and the eldest wife. The children are aged between three and sixteen years and out of the four wives, two aunts are pregnant. Resian and Taiyo are allowed to go walking.

​The girls make the observation that the four aunts are not happy as well and the kids are not contented. Resian outrightly says she is not ready to be a parent and that she will first learn.

As the novel begins, Ole Kaelo is reprimanding loaders for being slow. The couple is relocating from Nakuru to Nasila after Ole Kaelo is retrenched from Agribix Limited where he has been working as the commercial manager.

Not long ago Kaelo had denied Taiyo a chance to go to Mombasa to develop her talent. That is why Taiyo sympathizes with the loaders who are receiving strict instructions from her father. The two girls visualize what life in the new environment will be like.

​The girls are experiencing apprehension. Nakuru town has always bustled with life and they fear the shop that their father aims at starting may not pick. 

​In the society, the woes that women go through can be attributed to actions perpetrated by the same women. They are their own enemies. This is clearly illustrated below.
(Accept any relevant introduction)

Mama Milanoi clearly brings this out when she is unable to stand up for her own daughters. Her adherence to tradition makes her a mere spectator as the girls go through torture like forced marriage to Oloisudori and even Taiyo’s forced circumcision by colluding with the Esoit women. Thus ending up an enemy to the girls.

The brutality and contempt witnessed as Enkoiboni addressed Resian is evidence of women being their own worst enemies. She insults and mistreats Resian by intruding her privacy when she wants to confirm whether she was pregnant. She plans for her marriage to her son and even forced circumcision without her consent. This clearly shows that women are their own worst enemies. 

Simiren’s wives are compliant of the dictates of traditions unquestionably. When Mama Milanoi goes to seek advice pertaining Oloisudori’s case, they tell her that she and her husband were behaving like the proverbial greedy hyena that straddled two parallel paths with the ridiculous intention of reaching two destinations simultaneously so as not to miss the meals in either places. Yeiyo botorr also concludes that Resian has evil spirits when she stands her ground and also questions the nerve of the men sitting comfortably and waiting for food to be brought by women.

Female circumcision was perpetrated by the women themselves as they tried to fight the torture and oppression metted to them by the Ilarinkon warriors. They simply are the reason that they have to contend with F.G.M today. All the perpetrators of female circumcision are women to an extent that Taiyo composed a song for the three women calling them “three blind mice” i.e. the Enkamuratani, (circumciser), the (spy) enkasakutoni and enkaitoyoni(midwife).

In conclusion, women’s liberation can only be possible if they all came up in arms to form a united on front to fight injustices in the society.
(Accept any other relevant conclusion)

​The novel begins as Kaelo, his wife, Taiyo and Resian leave Nakuru for Nasila, a rural area in Maasai land.  This is as a result of retrenchment of Kaelo who has been working as the manager of Agribix Limited.

​On reaching Nasila, Ole Kaelo’s are welcomed by uncle Simiren’s family which consists of four wives and sixteen children.  In a move towards settling in Nasila the new home, Ole Kaelo visits his old friend Ole Sumpeyo.  It is thirty years since Ole Kaelo left Nasila for Nakuru.

​Henry ole Kulet was born in 1946. He is a veteran and award winning Kenyan writer known for his novels which capture aspects of environment, culture and experiences of Maasai people.

He is an established author for he has written eight novels. Daughter of Maa is a story of quiet village that is stirred by a frenzy of activities by the arrival of a young and pretty community teacher, Anna Walangh.

He authored It is possible in 1971, How To became a Man in 1972 and Bandits of Kibi in 1999. In Bandits of Kibi, he created scenes which came out during the Post-Election Violence in 2007 after the disputed elections.

​Henry Ole Kulet was raised in Enkare-Ngusur in Narok, Kenya. He studied farm management at Egerton College. In 1987, he retired from his career in agriculture. During his retirement, he wrote 9 books including Blossoms of the Savannah and was awarded the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature. 

1. Give a summary Blossoms of Savannah by Henry Ole Kulet.
2. Explain the themes highlighted in Blossoms of The Savannah by Ole Kulet.
3. Give the relevance of the Title Blossoms of the Savannah.
4. Optimism and ambition leads to victory in Blossoms of the Savannah. Write a composition to illustrate this Statement
5. Give the synopsis of the novel Blossoms of the Savannah by H.R
6. Discuss the Role and characterization in the Blossoms of the Savannah
7. Conflicts are part and parcel of ideal society. Illustrate cases of conflict in the novel Blossoms of Savannah by H.R Ole Kulet.
8. Discuss theme of tradition as manifested in Blossoms of the Savannah
9. Blossoms of the Savannah is a novel about women fighting for their redemption. By referring to the lives of Minik and Nabura support the assertion...
10. Explain how hope is illustrated in Blossoms of the Savannah
11. Using illustrations from Blossoms of the Savannah show how the theme of Love has been illustrated.
12. Illustrate cases of conflict in the novel Blossoms of Savannah by H.R Ole Kulet
13. Explain how male chauvinism plays out in chapter one in Blossoms of the Savannah
14. Why the title Blossoms of the Savannah?
15. Identify styles used in the novel Blossoms of the Savannah.
16. Giving illustrations from the Blossoms of the Savannah by H.R. Ole Kulet, show how the place of women in the society as a theme has been potrayed.
17. With illustrations from Blossoms of the Savannah by H.R Ole Kulet, show how the theme of Betrayal has been illustrated.
18. Deriving illustrations from Blossoms of the Savannah, explain the theme of Feminism in African culture
19. Give details of patureishi kind of love according chapter nine of the Novel Blossoms of the Savannah
20. Determination is the key to success. Show the truthfulness of this statement from Blossoms of the Savannah by H.R Ole Kulet.
21. Show how Blossoms of the Savannah is criticism of a male dominated society.
22. Write the role of Resian, Oloisudori, Ole Kaelo in Blossoms of the Savannah.
23. Highlight 10 Maa cultures portrayed in Blossoms of the Savannah
24. Change is inevitable in any given society. With illustrations from the novel Blossoms of the Savannah by H R Ole Kulet, discuss the validity of this statement .
25. Blossoms of the Savannah is a novel that leads to victory. Write a composition to illustrate on this statement.
26. Describe the events that take place in chapter four of Blossoms of Savannah.
27. Oloisudori is a despicable character. Justify this statement basing your answer on the novel Blossoms of the Savannah
28. Write an essay explaining this position from the Blossoms of the Savannah. Women are their own enemies.
29. 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.
30. Discuss with illustrations from Blossoms of the Savannah. Help can come when least expected
31. Bad decisions can adversely affect our lives. Write an essay in support of the statement with illustrations from the novel Blossoms of Savannah.
32. Discuss place of a girl child in society in Blossoms of the Savannah
33. What had forced Ole Kaelo's family to relocate to Nasila. Base your answer on Blossoms of the Savannah
34. Discuss place of a girl child in society in Blossoms of the Savannah.
35. In the novel Blossoms of the Savanah, Ole Kulet has employed many stylistic devices. With illustrations show how flashback, vivid description and foreshadow have been used.
36. Briefly narrate how marriage negotiations were conducted according to chapter 3 of Blossoms of Savannah
37. Give and illustrate character traits of Taiyo and Joseph Parmuat in the story Blossoms of the Savannah.
38. Maa culture has not completely shed off archaic practices and traditions. Write an essay from the Blossoms of the Savannah
39. Write plot summary of not less than 450 words on the novel. "Blossoms of the Savannah" by Henry ole kulet.
40. Give and illustrate the character traits of Ole Munsaka in the text, 'Blossoms of the Savannah'.
41. Women are to be blamed for FGM practice in the Maasai community. Using Henry Ole Kulet novel Blossoms of the Savannah.
42. Give a summary of cultural practices of the Maa community as shown in Blossoms of the Savannah.
43. In Oloisudori and Olarinkoi, there is no lesser evil. Write an essay to illustrate the truthfulness of this statement from the Blossoms of the Savannah.
44. Discuss giving illustrations from Blossoms of the Savannah. Mama Milanoi is to blame for the misfortune of her daughter.
45. Family relations are key to a successful life of their children". With close reference to Blossoms of the Savannah, discuss
46. Human beings are immoral". Write an essay to explain this statement from the Blossoms of the Savannah.
47. Discuss the way blind adherence to outdated socio cultural value denies women of the community by using novel of Blossoms of the Savannah

Using “Blossoms of the Savannah”  by H.R. Ole Kulet, discuss the theme of tradition

Introduction 
​Traditional characterizes a society and at least every society has a traditional. In Blossoms of the Savannah the following are the aspects of traditional  (2mks)

​Nothing is given on a silver platter. One must go out and create his or her own space. This is clearly seen in Blossoms of the Savannah, where Minik ene Nkoitoi fights for her space in a male dominated society.
OR
In Blossoms of the Savannah, Minik ene Nkoitoi fights to assert herself and have her voice heard in a male dominated society. For instance she stands up against retrogressive cultural practices like female genital mutilation.

• She fights against retrogressive cultural practices like FGM and early marriage. This earns her several enemies in her society. She is given derogatory names like the ’wasp’
• She empowers girls by establishing a resource center where girls learn life-saving skills. Girls are employed and equipped with skills that can make them independent. She also offers counseling services to those who have been traumatized by some experiences in life like being forcefully circumcised.
• She is in the forefront of rescuing girls who have been held captive in the society. She organizes a rescue mission for Taiyo after she has been forcefully circumcised in readiness for marriage.
• She provides educational opportunities to girls through sponsorship programs. After Resian and Taiyo have found their way to her place, she is able to organize for them to join Egerton university, hence attain their lifelong dream of pursuing education 

​In conclusion, it is evident that Minik ene Nkoitoi fights for her space in a society that is trying to pull her down.

​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 assult 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.

​Either
A) Write a composition  beginning with the statement:       
The cool and calm Saturday evening was suddenly interrupted…………..
or
B) Write a composition to validate the saying:
Birds of a feather flock together ...............

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 for 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 feeling 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 do 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 almost 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 man and women.

​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. 

A character is a fictitious personage created by a novelist in order to convey an idea. Characterization is the process of selecting suitable characters that suit specific roles by the novelist. Characters are of many types: main, minor, shadow, protagonist, antagonist depending on their role and significance. With themes and style, they form the basic triangle in literary work. The three questions answered by the three basic aspects are what, how and who. The question answered by character and characterization is “who”. In this novel, the protagonist, the character every reader would wish to be like, is Resian. The family of Kaelo is a key family; Kaelo, Mama Milanoi and Taiyo. Close people to this family like Oloisudori, Olarinkoi, and Joseph Parmuat are equally key characters in this novel. There are still other characters that help in anchoring thematic concerns, the plot and style and they include: Simiren, his wives especially Yeiyoo Botorr and yeiyoo-kiti, Ole Supeyo, Nabaru, Minik, the enkamuratani and enkoiboni.​