TABLE OF CONTENT
PREFACE 2
THE BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY OLE KULET 3
CHAPTER ONE 4
SYNOPSIS AND SUMMARIES OF CHAPTERS 4
SYNOPSIS OF BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH 4
CHAPTER SUMMARIES 5
CHAPTER TWO 18
CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERISATION 18
CHAPTER THREE 40
THEMES 40
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON THEMES 64
CHAPTER FOUR 65
LANGUAGE AND STYLE 65
CHAPTER FIVE 76
SAMPLE AND PRACTICE EXCERPTS 76
SAMPLE EXCERPTS 76
ANSWERS TO SAMPLE EXTRACTS 81
PRACTICE EXCERPTS 85
CHAPTER SIX 91
GENERAL ESSAY QUESTIONS AND SAMPLE ESSAYS 91
1
,PREFACE
This study guide provides a detailed analysis of the novel Blossoms of the Savannah.
The analysis is aimed at preparing KCSE candidates for both the excerpt and the
compulsory essay question in paper two and three respectively. This guide is written in
a manner that both the candidates and teachers will immensely benefit from it. This has
been achieved through the presentation of a succinct synopsis, detailed chapter
summaries, as well as deeply analyzed characters, themes and stylistic devices. At the
end of each of these sections, there are sample essay questions to guide students in
revising and preparing for both the internal and national exams. There are also general
essay questions, sample and practice excerpts, all meant to prepare students for KCSE
English paper two and three.
This guide might not have exhaustively analyzed the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah.
Therefore, students are advised to consult other authorities such as their teachers in
order to enrich what is contained in this guide.
2
,THE BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY OLE KULET
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.
3
, CHAPTER ONE
SYNOPSIS AND SUMMARIES OF CHAPTERS
SYNOPSIS OF BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH
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.
The Kaelo’s hold a homecoming party in which they invite members from the five clans
aimed at re-linking the Kaelo family to the other villagers. Taiyo and Resian observe that
some young men are suspicious of them for they are not circumcised. In an attempt of
acquainting the two girls with Nasila culture, Kaelo informs Joseph Parmuat to teach
Taiyo and Resian traditional songs and dances. As the young ones spend more time
together, a love relationship begins to develop between Taiyo and Joseph but
unfortunately due to cultural demands the relationship is restrained.
Unfortunately, there is an attempted rape on Resian and Taiyo. Consequently, an ad hoc
group of men is formed to hunt down the culprits. After it is known that Lante and Ntara
are responsible for the heinous act, punishment is meted on them. The novel reveals of
how females have contributed significantly to the beginning and continuation of FGM
through the Olarinkoi legendary story.
Kaelo opens an agricultural shop and enters into business contracts through Oloisudori
who is conversant with shady businesses. Oloisudori’s aim is to exploite Kaelo. After
realizing that Kaelo has beautiful daughters, he chooses to marry one and organize for
4
PREFACE 2
THE BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY OLE KULET 3
CHAPTER ONE 4
SYNOPSIS AND SUMMARIES OF CHAPTERS 4
SYNOPSIS OF BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH 4
CHAPTER SUMMARIES 5
CHAPTER TWO 18
CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERISATION 18
CHAPTER THREE 40
THEMES 40
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON THEMES 64
CHAPTER FOUR 65
LANGUAGE AND STYLE 65
CHAPTER FIVE 76
SAMPLE AND PRACTICE EXCERPTS 76
SAMPLE EXCERPTS 76
ANSWERS TO SAMPLE EXTRACTS 81
PRACTICE EXCERPTS 85
CHAPTER SIX 91
GENERAL ESSAY QUESTIONS AND SAMPLE ESSAYS 91
1
,PREFACE
This study guide provides a detailed analysis of the novel Blossoms of the Savannah.
The analysis is aimed at preparing KCSE candidates for both the excerpt and the
compulsory essay question in paper two and three respectively. This guide is written in
a manner that both the candidates and teachers will immensely benefit from it. This has
been achieved through the presentation of a succinct synopsis, detailed chapter
summaries, as well as deeply analyzed characters, themes and stylistic devices. At the
end of each of these sections, there are sample essay questions to guide students in
revising and preparing for both the internal and national exams. There are also general
essay questions, sample and practice excerpts, all meant to prepare students for KCSE
English paper two and three.
This guide might not have exhaustively analyzed the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah.
Therefore, students are advised to consult other authorities such as their teachers in
order to enrich what is contained in this guide.
2
,THE BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY OLE KULET
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.
3
, CHAPTER ONE
SYNOPSIS AND SUMMARIES OF CHAPTERS
SYNOPSIS OF BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH
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.
The Kaelo’s hold a homecoming party in which they invite members from the five clans
aimed at re-linking the Kaelo family to the other villagers. Taiyo and Resian observe that
some young men are suspicious of them for they are not circumcised. In an attempt of
acquainting the two girls with Nasila culture, Kaelo informs Joseph Parmuat to teach
Taiyo and Resian traditional songs and dances. As the young ones spend more time
together, a love relationship begins to develop between Taiyo and Joseph but
unfortunately due to cultural demands the relationship is restrained.
Unfortunately, there is an attempted rape on Resian and Taiyo. Consequently, an ad hoc
group of men is formed to hunt down the culprits. After it is known that Lante and Ntara
are responsible for the heinous act, punishment is meted on them. The novel reveals of
how females have contributed significantly to the beginning and continuation of FGM
through the Olarinkoi legendary story.
Kaelo opens an agricultural shop and enters into business contracts through Oloisudori
who is conversant with shady businesses. Oloisudori’s aim is to exploite Kaelo. After
realizing that Kaelo has beautiful daughters, he chooses to marry one and organize for
4
