POSITIVE ASPECTS OF NASILIAN CULTURE IN BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH

SOME ASPECTS OF CULTURE ARE BENEFICIAL AND OUGHT TO BE MAINTAINED. USING EXAMPLES FROM THE NOVEL, BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH, WRITE A COMPOSITION TO ILLUSTRATE THE TRUTH OF THE STATEMENT

Culture defines our identity and social relationships within a certain setup. Sometimes, some cultural aspects come off as bad while others can be looked at as good. However, culture only becomes bad when compared to another that seems superior. Many African communities found themselves at crossroads when the ‘superior’ European culture was thrown down their gullets. Nevertheless, many African cultures have grown into what they are today while some have retained what can be perceived as negative cultural practices. In the book Blossoms of the Savannah, H.R Kulet presents a boiling pot of cultural confusion within the Maa community specifically the people of Nasila. As we can see, some of the Nasilian cultural practices can be beneficial to the wellbeing of society and, therefore, should be maintained.

Among the many cultural practices that should be maintained is the one for respecting seniors. Ole Kaelo is Simiren’s older brother. Despite Simiren’s wealth and large family, he bestows deep respect for his elder brother who was the olmorijoi- a family’s representative to the council of elders. As it seems, Simiren knows well his brother’s weakness- choosing to remain monogamous with intoiye nemengalana. However, despite the weakness, Simiren boldly hopes that his brother will handle his duties well. Respect for the elders helped build stronger relationships within the family and also promote peace and harmonious living as can be seen in the book.

The people of Nasila come off as generous and readily open to welcome guests. Kaelo daughters, in the beginning, find this queer and untoward but in time come to appreciate the presence of uninvited guests in their house. Welcoming guests goes beyond the occasional visitor at the breakfast table. During the homecoming party, as a true Ilmolian Kaelo held nothing back. He slaughtered a fattened ox, six rams and four he-goats. The lavish party ushered Kaelo back to his clan and ensured that his family received blessings from the people of his clan. What was also more fascinating was how Kaelo’s kinsmen and women worked hand in hand to make the occasion a success. Kaelo did not have to hire outside catering services for food to be cooked neither did he hire children, men and women to come and entertain the guests. All these were done by the community thus building co-operation and unity.  

Nasilian culture also promoted a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood through its clan system. Although clans can be looked at as inhibiting, like in the case of the blossoming love between Joseph Parmuat and Taiyo, it also made sure that clansmen and women looked after each other. When Kaelo’s daughters are almost raped, the men of Ilmolian gathered seeking retribution. Their approach was indeed harsh and warlike but their intention was pure; to prevent such an occurrence from happening again. Having people to help you in time of need and stand by you is one of the things that made this practice good. Furthermore, in the case of Taiyo and Parmuat pair bonding, it ensured that such incestuous behaviour was a thing of the past. In order to make the practice palatable, any offending party was forced to pay compensation in the form of cattle besides suffering public humiliation and undergoing demeaning cleansing ceremony.

Many of us live under the illusion that Maasai men marry underage girls terminating their efforts of achieving their dreams. However, according to the book, this was not the case. When Oloisudori comes to visit the Kaelo’s and proposes to marry Resian. The parents are troubled. Mama Milanoi wishes that the age-old tradition that forbade men from marrying daughters of men whom they share an age-set was still in practice. If a man was caught eyeing an underage girl, the girl’s mother would appeal to the women’s court. The vengeance that would be directed towards men would only be quelled by the fearsome Oloiboni. The offending man would already have been shamed and beaten to death. Such strict culture discouraged men like Oloisudori from preying on young girls. Nevertheless, such culture had died thus throwing young Maa women at the mercy of gluttonous men like Oloisudori and Ole Kaelo.

One final the cultural practice was the institution of Patureshi which was meant to check on the conduct and behaviour of young people and keep them disciplined. A patureishi was a platonic relationship between members of the opposite sex. Once a young man chose a girl as a patureishi, and the available rituals were performed. He promised to abide by the rules of patureishi until death. In case the man had been rumoured to have committed an act of shame or cowardice he would be disgraced by his patureishi and forced to run away. This institution helped to put men in check as well as forge a united and peaceful community that respected order and good conduct.

These traditions and various aspects of communal life work best at uniting a community and at the same time forging bonds that last. Furthermore, they help respect for humanity and forgiveness hence building a cohesive society that is united towards both individual and communal growth. However, the sad reality is that the best cultural practices are easily replaced by those rotten as culture evolves. It is such an evolution of culture that breeds individuals like Ole Kaelo and Oloisudori- men who use their might to bring suffering to the weak and vulnerable.