Cutworms Damage: Attacks the stem at the ground level causing he plant to fall. Control: Spray recommended insecticides. Disease Control Black Rot Cause: Bacteria Symptoms: Leaves turn yellow and rotting of the stem giving an offensive odour, Control: Closed season, crop rotation, use certified seeds and spray appropriate chemicals. Black Leg Cause: Fungus Symptoms: Brown to black spots on seedlings and dark canker on the stem. Control: crop rotation, destroy infected materials. Harvesting Cabbages are ready for harvesting 3-4 months after transplanting. The heads are cut when they are solid and compact. Harvested cabbages are sold immediately. Carrots Daucus carota It is a root vegetable grown in the cool areas of Kenya. It is commonly eaten raw in salads but can also be cooked. Ecological Requirements Altitude: 0-2,900m above sea level. Rainfall: 750 - 1,000mm. Well distributed throughout the growing period. Soils: It requires deep, Fine tilth Well drained soils that are free from obstacles to allow for root expansion. Temperatures: it requires cool to warm temperatures as very high temperatures result in the production of pale and short roots. Varieties Fresh market varieties for example Chantenay and Nantes. Canning varieties for example Nantes Fodder varieties for example Oxhast. Land Preparation The field should be well dug to a depth of about 20cm. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 34 The soil clods should be broken to give a fine tilth before planting. Manure should not be applied as it induces forking which reduces the crop quality. Planting Carrots are planted directly into the main seedbed. Seeds are drilled into rows made 20-30cm apart. The seeds are then covered lightly and the soil pressed down. 90kg ha of DSP should be applied at planting time in the drills. It should be mixed well with the soils before placing the seeds. Field Practice Thinning -- it is done 2 weeks after germination. Weed control- the field should be kept weed free.


It should be mixed well with the soils before placing the seeds. Field Practice Thinning -- it is done 2 weeks after germination. Weed control- the field should be kept weed free. Earthing up should be done while weeding to encourage root expansion .. Topdressing: after weeding 60kg of nitrogen per hectare should be applied as top dress. Irrigation - this should be carried out where or when there is not enough rainfall. Pest Control Carrots do not have many field pests except the green aphids. These can be controlled by use of the appropriate pesticides. Disease Control Occasionally attached by the mildews especially in wet and humid environment. Thinning can be done to reduce humid conditions. Harvesting and Marketing Carrots are ready for harvesting 3-5 months after planting depending on the variety. They are lifted from the soil and sold fresh or canned. Onions Allium cepa Onions are bulb vegetables grown in the warm areas of Kenya. They are used as a vegetable in salads and for flavouring foods, soups and stews. Ecological Requirements Altitude: 0-2, 100m above sea level. Rainfall: 1,000mm of rain per year Irrigation in dry areas . Soils: Requires well drained fertile soils pH of 6.0 - 7.0 . Temperatures: Onions are a warm climate crops. However, some varieties prefer cool conditions. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 35 They require a fairly long dry period for ripening. Varieties Red creole, Tropicana hybrid White creole. Land Preparation The land should be well prepared leaving a fine tilth. Farm yard manure at 40 - 50 tonnes per hectare should be applied and mixed well with the soil. Planting Direct: Seeds are drilled in rows 30cm apart and 8cm within the rows. 20kg ha of DSP fertilizer is used. Indirect: Seeds are established in the nurseries before transplanting them in rows 30cm apart and 8 cm within the rows. Shallow planting is recommended for bulb expansion.


20kg ha of DSP fertilizer is used. Indirect: Seeds are established in the nurseries before transplanting them in rows 30cm apart and 8 cm within the rows. Shallow planting is recommended for bulb expansion. Field Management Practices Thinning It is carried out only in the crop that has been directly planted so as to achieve spacing of 8cm between two plants within the row. The thinned plants referred to as spring onions are used as vegetables in salads. Topdressing Calcium ammonium nitrate at the rate of 250kg per hectare is recommended for topdressing onions. This is done 3 months after planting. Pest Control Onion Thrips: These cause silvering and withering of leaves from the tips downwards. They are controlled by spraying with appropriate insecticides such as Diazinon or fenthion. Disease Control Purple Blotch and Downey Mildew Purple blotch; Characterized by oval greyish lesions with purple centres on leaves. This causes leaf curling and die back. Downey mildew; Characterized by brown spores covering the leaves leading to death of the whole plant. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 36 The two diseases are effectively controlled by crop rotation and application of appropriate fungicides. Harvesting and Marketing Onions are ready for harvesting 5 months after planting. When leaves start drying the tops are broken or bent at the neck. This hastens the withering of the stems. The bulbs are then dug out and left to dry in a shade for a few days. Onions are graded according to size and marketed in nets of about 14 -16kgs. Livestock Health I Introduction to Livestock Health Introduction Health is the state of the body in which all the organs and systems are normal and functioning normally. Disease is any deviation from the normal health of the animal. Importance of Keeping Livestock Healthy: Healthy animals give high income due to low treatment costs. The productive life span of a healthy animal is longer. High production. Healthy animals can multiply regularly. Healthy animals give high quality products for example eggs. Safety of consumers of livestock products. Predisposing Factors to Livestock Diseases These are conditions within or around the animal that make it easy for an animal to contract a disease.


Healthy animals give high quality products for example eggs. Safety of consumers of livestock products. Predisposing Factors to Livestock Diseases These are conditions within or around the animal that make it easy for an animal to contract a disease. They include: Animal factors such as; species, breed, age, sex colour of the animal. Environmental factors such as; chilling, For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 37 being rained on, exposure to hot sun dampness. Management factors such as; poor feeding, housing, handling hygiene, overcrowding . Signs of ILL-Health in Livestock Abnormal behaviour for example separation from the rest of the herd and restlessness. Abnormal posture for example limping and lameness. Alimentary canal disfunction such as blood stained faeces and abnormal defecation, diarrhoea and dysentery. Urination: high frequency or too low and having strange colour. Skin: rough with scaly skin, blisters on the skin and hair loss. Causes of Diseases Pathogenic causes ; viruses, rickettsia, bacteria, protozoa fungi. Physical causes; fractures, dislocation, sprains . Nutritional disorders for example milk fever. Chemical causes for example poisoning by agrochemicals. Categories of Diseases Notifiable diseases ; These are diseases which cause high economic losses. Any case should be reported to the Chiefs, D.O.s, veterinary officers or the police. Tick-borne diseases - Transmitted by ticks. Breeding diseases - Transmitted through mating. Nutritional diseases for example milk fever and bloat. Parasitic diseases for example ascariosis. General Methods of Disease Control Quarantine. Vaccination. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 38 Control of vectors by use of acaricides and rotational grazing. Disinfecting the equipment and buildings. Use of preventive drugs. Proper feeding of livestock. Culling of the animals which are carriers slaughtering the affected animals. Use of artificial insemination to control breeding diseases.


Proper feeding of livestock. Culling of the animals which are carriers slaughtering the affected animals. Use of artificial insemination to control breeding diseases. Proper selection and breeding of animals. Proper housing and hygiene, Isolating sick animals. Appropriate Methods of Handling Livestock Animals are handled for the following reasons: When inspecting the animal to ascertain any abnormality or signs of diseases. When administering any form of treatment such as drenching, injection and mastitis control. When spraying or hand dressing the animal with chemicals to control external parasites. When milking the animal. When performing some of the management practices such as dehorning, disbudding, castration, hoof trimming . When carrying out these activities animals should be restrained in a crush. Other methods of restraining animals include the use of; halters, ropes, bull ring lead stick. Livestock Health II Parasites Introduction A parasite is an organism which obtains its livelihood from another organism host which suffers damage. Parasitism is the association between a parasite and a host. The effects of parasite on the host animal are: Depriving the host of its food. Sucking blood. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 39 Damaging the organs of the host. Cause irritation on the skin of the host. Destruction of hides and skins. Transmission of diseases. Cause obstruction in body passages. General Symptoms of Parasites Infestation: Emaciation. Pot bellied condition. Swellings in the jaw or other areas. Rough hair or rough coat. Anaemia. Diarrhoea. Presence of worm segments and blood stains in the defecation. Types of Parasites There are two types of parasites: External ecto-parasites Internal endo-parasites External parasites are; ticks, tsetse flies, mites, lice, fleas keds Life Cycle of ticks Eggs are laid in cracks on the ground. They hatch in 4-6 weeks into larvae which climb on the grass waiting for a passing animal. One-Host Tick This requires one host to complete its life cycle. Example: blue tick Boophilus decoloratus .


They hatch in 4-6 weeks into larvae which climb on the grass waiting for a passing animal. One-Host Tick This requires one host to complete its life cycle. Example: blue tick Boophilus decoloratus . Preferred sites: face, neck, dewlap and side of the body. Disease transmitted: Redwater and anaplasmosis. Two-Host Tick This requires two different hosts to complete its life cycle. Example: The red legged tick Rhipicephalus everts Preferred sites: Ears, anus, udder and the tail. Disease transmitted: Redwater and east coast fever. Example: Bont legged tick amblyomma spp. Preferred sites: Udder, scrotum and tail switch. Disease transmitted: Sweating sickness. Three-Host Tick This requires three hosts to complete its life cycle. Example: The brown ear tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Preferred sites: Ears, tail switch and around the eyes. Disease transmitted: East coast fever and redwater. Bont tick transmit heartwater amblyomma spp. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 40 Control of Ticks Dipping spraying hand dressing with acaricides. Rotational grazing. Ploughing the land to break the life cycle. Hand picking and killing. Fencing of the grazing fields to keep off other animals including wild game. Burning of grass to kill them in various stages. Endo-parasites internal Parasites Endoparasites are helminths. They can be divided into: Platyhelminthes flatworms which include; Trematodes flukes Cestodes tapeworms . Nemato-helminthes nematodes. E.g Roundworms. General Symptoms of Helminthiasis Diarrhoea which foul the anal and tail region. Dullness. Anaemia. Big stomach pot bellied condition . Presence of worm segments in faeces. Coughing. Trematodes Liver Fluke There are two species of flukes: Fasciola gigantica Fasciola hepatica. Fasciola hepatica is more common.


Coughing. Trematodes Liver Fluke There are two species of flukes: Fasciola gigantica Fasciola hepatica. Fasciola hepatica is more common. It is commonly found in the liver and bile duct of cattle, sheep and goats. Liver fluke is a problem in marshy and low lying wet areas. Life Cycle of the Liver Fluke Adult fluke in the liver of the primary host lays eggs. Eggs pass through the bile duct into the small intestines and are passed out in faeces onto the pasture. Under moist conditions, they hatch into a miracidium larva which swims about in search of a secondary host fresh water snails . In the snail, it develops through sporocyst, redia and cercaria. When it leaves the snail, the cercaria gets encysted on vegetation and becomes metacercaria. This is swallowed by the primary host with grass. The young fluke migrates into the liver through blood vessels when it matures. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 41 Control of Liver Fluke Keep livestock off marshy areas near the rivers streams lakes and dams. Drench affected animals. Drainage of swampy areas. Eradicate the intermediate host by use of molluscicides. Provide water to livestock in elevated troughs. Tapeworms There are many species of tapeworms Eexample; Taenia solium Taenia saginata. The adults live in the small intestines of man the primary host . The intermediate host of Taenia solium is pig . The intermediate host of Taenia saginata is cattle. Life Cycle of Tapeworm Adult tapeworms live in man's intestines where it lays eggs. Eggs are passed out with faeces, Then they develop an outer covering known as onchosphere. The eggs are swallowed by intermediate host. The outer covering is digested and the young worm emerges. This bores into the blood vessels and is carried to specific muscles such as the tongue, heart, thigh muscles. It develops into an encysted form called bladder-worm. When the animal is killed and meat is eaten raw or in an inadequately cooked form, man gets infected by the bladder-worm.


For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 43 Acts as a lubricant. Acts as constituent of body fluids. Factors Determining the Requirements of Water by Livestock Production level. Amount of dry matter eaten. Temperature of the surrounding area. Type of animal. Type of food eaten. Protein Sources: Groundnut cakes, cotton seed cakes, fish meal, meat meal. Functions: Growth of new tissues. Repair of worn out tissues body building . Synthesis of antibodies. Synthesis of hormones and enzymes. Production of energy during starvation. Digestion of Proteins In non-ruminants, protein digestion takes placed in the stomach. Food is subjected to mechanical breakdown through chewing into small particles. Protein is acted on by enzymes to turn into amino acid which is assimilated into the bloodstream. In ruminants, protein digestion initially takes place in the rumen. Food is acted on by micro-organisms into microbial protein. Later, enzymatic action takes place in the "true stomach" or abomasum where proteins are broken down into amino acids which are then assimilated into the bloodstream. Carbohydrates Sources: Cereals, tubers commercially mixed feeds. Functions: Supply energy and heat to the body. Excess is stored in form of fat for insulation of the body. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 44 Digestion of Carbohydrates In non-ruminants; carbohydrate feeds are broken down by chewing into small particles. Then enzymatic action further breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, fructose and galactose which are then assimilated into the bloodstream. In ruminants; mechanical breakdown of carbohydrate feeds is followed by microbial activities which break down cellulose into volatile fatty acids. These are absorbed through the rumen walls. Some carbohydrates are broken down by enzymatic action in the "true stomach" or abomasum. Fats and Oils Sources: Cotton seeds, soya beans groundnuts. Functions: Supply energy and heat to the body. Excess is stored as fat adipose tissues. Source of metabolic water in the body. Required for the development of neural system. Insulator in the body.


Source of metabolic water in the body. Required for the development of neural system. Insulator in the body. Digestion of lipids in Ruminants Fats are hydrolysed in the rumen into fatty acids and glycerol. Others are fermented into propionic acid, The shorter chains are passed to the true stomach where enzymatic action takes place. Vitamins Sources: Green materials, dried grass fish liver oil. Functions: Protects the body against diseases. Regulate the functions of all parts of the body. It acts as a co-enzyme in the body. Examples: Vitamin A, vitamin B2 vitamin C, For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 45 vitamin E vitamin K. Minerals Sources: Salt licks, bone meal, legumes cereals. Functions: Form part of the tissues such as bones and teeth. Work together with the enzymes. Act as acid -base balances. Act as electrolyte in the body. Regulate osmotic balance in the body. Examples: Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, iodine, sodium chlorine. Calcium and phosphorus - Needed for teeth and bone formation. Lack of these minerals leads to rickets, osteomalacia. Lack of iron leads to anaemia. Classification of Animal Feeds This is based on nutrient composition: Roughages. Concentrates. Feed additives. Roughages Are feeds of low available nutrients per unit weight and high fibre content. Examples: Dry roughages, succulent roughages, residues from agricultural by products and conserved materials. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 46 Characteristics Low level of available nutrients. Have high level of calcium especially legumes. Good source of vitamin A. Have high fibre content. Concentrates Are feeds of high available nutrients per unit weight. Examples: Maize germ and bran, malt extract, milk products, soyabeans, oil seed cakes, meat meal, bonemeal bloodmeal. Characteristics Low fibre content. Feed content is consistently high. High digestibility of the feed. High in nutrient content.


Feed content is consistently high. High digestibility of the feed. High in nutrient content. Feed Additives These are substances added to the feed to increase; palatability, medication or hormones to make animals produce more. There are two types: Nutritive additives, such as mineral licks maclick . Non-nutritives additives, such as; medicants coccidiostats , Stilboestrol used in beef animals oxytocin to increase milk let down . Functions Stimulate growth and production. Improve feed efficiency. Prevent disease causing organisms. Compounded Feeds These are the feeds prepared and mixed by use of machines. These feeds can be round, pelleted, pencils, cubes or mash. Poultry feeds can be categorized as: Chick mash having 20 D.C.P. given to chicks. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 47 Growers mash having 16 D.C.P. given to growers. Layers mash having 12-15 D.C.P. given to layers. Meaning of terms used to express feed values Nutritive ratio NR : Is the proportion of protein to carbohydrates and fats. In young animals 1:3:6 In old animals 1:8. Crude protein C.P : Is the total amount of protein contained in a feed. Digestible Crude Protein D.C.P : Is the portion of crude protein which an animal is capable of digesting. Crude Fibre C.F. : Is the total amount of fibre contained in a feed. It is mainly lignin and cellulose. Digestible Fibre D.F. : Is the portion of the total fibre contained in a feed which an animal is capable of digesting. Dry Matter D.M. : Is the material left in a feed after water has been removed. Starch equivalent S.E. : Is the amount of pure starch which has the same energy as 100kg of that feed. Total Digestible Nutrients T.D.N. : Is the sum of all the digestible organic nutrients such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates and fibre.


Dry Matter D.M. : Is the material left in a feed after water has been removed. Starch equivalent S.E. : Is the amount of pure starch which has the same energy as 100kg of that feed. Total Digestible Nutrients T.D.N. : Is the sum of all the digestible organic nutrients such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates and fibre. Computation of Livestock Rations Ration: Is the amount of food that will provide essential nutrients to an animal in a 24 hour period to enable that animal to meet its maintenance and production requirements. Balanced ration: Is the ration that contains all the essential nutrients in required amounts and in the right proportion. Maintenance ration: is the portion of a feed required by an animal to continue with the vital body processes with no loss or gain in weight. Production ration: Is the feed required by animals over and above maintenance ration to enable the animal to produce; for example; milk, eggs, wool, grow in size, perform work, reproduce and fatten. Steps in ration formulation Finding out the animal's feed requirement based on body weight. List all the available feeds, with their nutrient composition and their prices. Calculate the amount of ingredients required in the ration to meet the animals needs. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 48 Methods used in ration formulation Trial and error method Pearson s square method Graphical method Linear programming use of computers Examples; Mix a Pigs ration 22 protein using soya bean meal 40 DCP and maize meal containing 8 DCP. Soya bean meal 14 100 43.75kg 32 Maize meal 18 100 56.25kg 32 Digestion and digestive systems Digestion is the process through which food is broken down into small particles in the alimentary canal ready for absorption into the blood stream. Digestion of food in livestock takes place in three stages; Mechanical breakdown and chewing Microbial breakdown by bacteria and protozoa in the rumen of ruminants Chemical breakdown by enzymes. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 49 Rumen- Breakdown of food by micro-organisms and also stores food. Synthesis of vitamin B-complex.


Digestion of food in livestock takes place in three stages; Mechanical breakdown and chewing Microbial breakdown by bacteria and protozoa in the rumen of ruminants Chemical breakdown by enzymes. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 49 Rumen- Breakdown of food by micro-organisms and also stores food. Synthesis of vitamin B-complex. Synthesis of amino acids from ammonia gas. Proteins are broken to peptides and amino acids. Carbohydrates are broken to volatile fatty acids. Reticulum: Separates large food particles from the small particles. Retains foreign materials such as stones, hard wood and sand. Omasum: Breaks up food by grinding. Reduction of water content from the feed stuff. Abomasum: Enzymatic digestion takes place here .. Contains some microbes which digest cellulose. Breaks up food by grinding. It is also found in non-ruminants. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 50 Comparison Between Digestion in Ruminant and Nonruminants Differences Ruminants Non -ruminants Chew the cud. Do not chew the cud. Have four stomach chambers-thus Have one stomach chamber polygastric. -. Thus monogastric. Regurgitate food. Cannot regurgitate food once Can digest cellulose. Have swallowed. Micro-organisms in the rumen Have no micro-organisms that digest cellulose. In the stomach hence cannot 5. Have no Ptyalin in saliva hence digest cellulose except those no enzymatic digestion in the mouth. Animals with micro-organisms Most digestion and absorption takes in the caecum. Place in the rumen. Have Ptyalin in the saliva hence Have alkaline saliva due to presence enzymatic digestion starts in the mouth of ammonia. Most digestion and absorption takes in the small intestines. The saliva is neutral pH. For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 51 Functions of the Parts of Poultry Crop: Storage of food. Softening of food by secretions from small glands in the walls. Proventriculus: Enzymes start the breakdown of food.


For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke 51 Functions of the Parts of Poultry Crop: Storage of food. Softening of food by secretions from small glands in the walls. Proventriculus: Enzymes start the breakdown of food. Gizzard:-Crushes and grinds the coarse food has small grit and gravel .Comparison Between Digestion In Ruminants and Non-Ruminants Similarities Between Digestion In Ruminants and Non-Ruminants Digestion in young ruminants is similar to that in non-ruminants as they do not have a developed rumen-reticulum complex. Final protein digestion takes place in the small intestines in both cases. Water absorption takes place in the colon in both ruminants and non ruminants For free KCSE Notes, Exams, and Past Papers Visit https: Teacher.co.ke.


I STUDY GUIDE TO THE BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH BY HENRY OLE KULET 2015iiiii ABSTRACT This study interrogates re presentation of women characters in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. It looks at how such re presentation of female characters defines and redefines femininity within the Maasai social environment of the texts. The research then focuses on a comparative analysis of such re presentation of femininity in both texts. To satisfy these objectives I have employed the use of Womanism strand of feminism whose proponent Nigerian Chikwenye Okonjo Ogunyemi contends serves as the rallying point for the women of African ancestry in their struggle to effectively assert their humanity in the face of the malevolent attitude of the men folk towards their self-fulfillment in life. Applying Womanism theory the study has done a close textual analysis of the two novels on the condition of the women characters in every text independently. My findings on Blossoms of the Savannah shows how the protagonist Resian s determination to pursue education in spite of resistance from a community still tied to retrogressive practices like FGM redefines the position of the women in that society. In Vanishing Herds the lead character is a woman called Norpisia. She redefines femininity in the society she lives in by her aggressive character when she fights for the conservation of the environment from degradation. In many instances she reminds us of the iconic environmentalist conservationist Wangari Maathai whose efforts at conservation of the environment won her accolades. Within the scope and limitation of my study I was restrained from expounding more on style in the two books. However, I feel that there is room for more research on the stylistic features of the two texts. It is an area that deserves scholarly attention as concerns the works of Henry ole Kulet and the role that he givesiv women. Such research will not only aid better understanding of his repertoire, but also shed light into how literature1 CHAPTER ONE BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY Introduction Over time, literature has revealed that there are variations in the feminist discourse all around the world. Acknowledging the difference in women s experience of patriarchy, literature has shown that femininity is culturally determined and society specific. We can therefore say that cultural variables are determinants of female expression. Different societies have cultural variables that fashion behavior of women and even their worldview.


Acknowledging the difference in women s experience of patriarchy, literature has shown that femininity is culturally determined and society specific. We can therefore say that cultural variables are determinants of female expression. Different societies have cultural variables that fashion behavior of women and even their worldview. For that the question of femininity must also be looked at in terms of how the various unique cultures produce norms that then reproduce specific kinds of behaviours of women which are unique to that particular society. A look into African-American literature reveals that the black women feminism caucus took note of the fact that the black woman faced different challenges compared to the European-American woman. The black woman faced a double patriarchal order that emanated from her own race and from the white race. As such writers like Alice Walker in The Colour Purple and Maya Angelou in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings endeavored in their writing to unravel this experience that was peculiar to the black woman. The kind of feminist texts that dealt with the specific question of the black woman in America is what gave rise to Black femininity. Black femininity is the expression of feminism within the black culture. It emphasizes the cultural determinants within the black race and how it is shaped by forces from without White America and how the totality of this experience affects the feminist reaction that we find in black literature. 2 In the same vein, my study of femininity deals with how the image of the woman is conceptualized within the Maasai culture and how literature from that society represents the phenomenon. It also deals with how women deal with the conceived image of the ideal, either subverting them or abiding by the required image. So, on one hand, when I talk about Maasai femininity I am talking about the traditionally accepted image of a woman according to Maasai traditions as revealed in a work of literature. On the other hand, when I talk about redefinition of Maasai femininity I am alluding to the changes that happen to the traditional image of the Maasai woman when Maasai traditions come into collision with modernity. My focus is on two novels by Henry ole Kulet: Vanishing Herds 2011 and Blossoms of the Savannah 2008 . Henry ole Kulet is a Kenyan writer whose repertoire exploits Maasai culture for artistic expression. The works that he has produced thus far have dealt with the question of cultural determinism within the Maasai world.


My focus is on two novels by Henry ole Kulet: Vanishing Herds 2011 and Blossoms of the Savannah 2008 . Henry ole Kulet is a Kenyan writer whose repertoire exploits Maasai culture for artistic expression. The works that he has produced thus far have dealt with the question of cultural determinism within the Maasai world. He is a writer whose works represent not only the affirmation of the evolution of culture but also the catalysts that drive that change. In his vision Henry ole Kulet projects a point of view that is empathetic to the condition of women in the society. He has strong female protagonists who drive change in society. This is a departure from the previous decades when many African female scholars criticized the male African writers for neglecting female characters in their works. Such scholars are Mary Kolawole 1997 , Gloria Chukukere 1995 , Omolara, Flora Nwapa 1984 among others. Charles Fonchingong 2006 argues that Kolawole 1997 notes: by omission or commission, most male writers in the early phase of African literature encouraged the marginalization of women. In this context, female characters are made marginal to the plot of the fiction, while only a few emerge as powerful and credible protagonists 135 . Chukukere 1995 says, The female characters, who3 the male writers created, acted within the framework of her traditional roles as wife and mother 135 . Chukukere 1995 views that a woman, hence, is respected and loved due to, her adaptations to these roles that she did perform 135 . Therefore, the male writers showed that the women could only perform very well as wives and not in any other role. Such writers include Chinua Achebe 1958 , Elechi Amadi 1966 , Cyprian Ekwensi 1962 , Wole Soyinka 1973 and Ngugi wa Thiong o 1980 . However, the discourse that sidelined women has shifted. Contemporary female and male writers have come out to redefine and argue against the one-sided presentation of the African woman in literature. Lapin 1984 observes that three dozen women are currently recognized as authors across the African continent, and they have been joined by some male writers in giving serious treatment and a realistic characterization and all rounded perspective of the female gender.


However, the discourse that sidelined women has shifted. Contemporary female and male writers have come out to redefine and argue against the one-sided presentation of the African woman in literature. Lapin 1984 observes that three dozen women are currently recognized as authors across the African continent, and they have been joined by some male writers in giving serious treatment and a realistic characterization and all rounded perspective of the female gender. Writers tackle the gender equation in various ways as they strive to reverse aspects of female marginalization 142 . Writers such as Buchi Emecheta 1974 Mariama Ba 1981 , Ama Ata Aidoo 1996 , Flora Nwapa 1990 , Sembene Ousmane 1970 and Leopold Sedar Senghor attempt to bridge the gender rifts in the African literary landscape 135 . Henry ole Kulet, who comes from a patriarchal society, is among the writers whose later works portrays an all-rounded woman. Statement of the Problem The two novels Blossoms of the Savannah 2008 and Vanishing Herds 2011 by Henry ole Kulet show the writer s concern with the role of the Maasai woman in society. He uses women protagonists in the two novels to elevate the roles of women in the society. However, what is worth investigating is how the roles he gives to the women define and redefine their position within the4 Maasai society. Therefore, in this study I set out to investigate how the position of the Maasai woman is defined and re defined in the two novels. Objectives 1. To examine femininity in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. 2. To do a comparative analysis of femininity in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. Hypothesis 1. Examining femininity in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds reveals a definition and redefinition of Maasai femininity. 2. A comparison of the two novels would reveal the different shades of Maasai femininities that Henry ole Kulet projects in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. Justification Interrogating the re definition of femininity in Blossoms of the Savannah 2008 and Vanishing Herds 2011 helps to highlight the peculiar nature in which Henry ole Kulet positions his vision of the Maasai woman character.


2. A comparison of the two novels would reveal the different shades of Maasai femininities that Henry ole Kulet projects in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. Justification Interrogating the re definition of femininity in Blossoms of the Savannah 2008 and Vanishing Herds 2011 helps to highlight the peculiar nature in which Henry ole Kulet positions his vision of the Maasai woman character. Literary variables like characterization and plot development can help realize the inherent vision that Henry ole Kulet re presents in his work with regards to the destiny of the woman in the Maasai community. It is in the analysis of the re definition of the women that we can capture the unique feminism that emanates from Henry ole Kulet s creative works. Unraveling this kind of femininity would help to not only appreciate the nature of feminism within Maasai culture but also act as a pointer to the variant views on feminism which come from5 various cultures but which, the end, project the same vision of liberating the woman from traditions and customs that time has rendered untenable like female genital mutilation. It is imperative that a comparison of the two novels is done so as to show how the two books handle the issue of femininity. This shall help us see the issue of feminism in Maasai culture in totality with regard to how Henry ole Kulet handles it in the two texts. The two novels share similarities and differences that when looked at keenly reveal the vision of the author. The comparison also shows the techniques that the author has employed in different texts so as to bring out the presentation of the woman character and in so doing give a vision of what I term Maasai femininity. Literature Review A good research is one which is anchored in existing knowledge. This review looks at the existing literature related to this study under different topics. There are scholars who have previously done critical analyses of the works of Henry ole Kulet. A number of scholars have analyzed the images of women in Henry ole Kulet s novel based on subordination of women such as Everlyne Mengo 2010 but my study focuses on wholesome re presentation of women in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. It also aims at doing additional work to the previous works done by other scholars on the concept of femininity especially work that reflects on Henry ole Kulet s novels.


There are scholars who have previously done critical analyses of the works of Henry ole Kulet. A number of scholars have analyzed the images of women in Henry ole Kulet s novel based on subordination of women such as Everlyne Mengo 2010 but my study focuses on wholesome re presentation of women in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. It also aims at doing additional work to the previous works done by other scholars on the concept of femininity especially work that reflects on Henry ole Kulet s novels. It provides a comprehensive study of woman re presentation on Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. One of the critical interests on Henry ole Kulet s works has come from Khaemba Wanyonyi 2003 who focuses on tension, uncertainties and conflicts among the Maasai as reproduced in the texts. This is caused by the invasion of foreign education as well as cultures. He analyses Blossoms of the Savannah and Daughter of Maa in support of his argument. He closely looks at representation6 of beliefs and cultural values by characters that have received formal education and the backdrop of Maasai cultural practices in the selected novels. Wanyonyi 2003 argues that the introduction of Western education precipitated change in the status of the Maasai women transformation that has created tension and conflict. Wanyonyi s argument is useful to my study since the issue of education acts as one of the agents that leads to women redefining themselves in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. Mengo 2010 portrays the way Maasai women are culturally mistreated within the Maasai community, her work provides an insight of the patriarchy society of the Maasai. Though dealing with the Maasai culture and how women have been subordinated she did not deal with the changes that are currently taking place in Maasai community hence emerging a different kind of woman as compared to the cultural expectations. However, her study is reflected in my study in terms of how patriarchy shapes the Maasai woman to be at the periphery. Peter Mbugua 2004 discusses Issues of Identity in Henry ole Kulet, Is it possible? And To Become a Man . He has highlighted different identities of the female characters in Is it Possible? 1971 and To Become a Man 1972 . This work is relevant to my study since it builds on presentation of women.


He has highlighted different identities of the female characters in Is it Possible? 1971 and To Become a Man 1972 . This work is relevant to my study since it builds on presentation of women. This study is reflected in my works since am focusing on the issue of patriarchy and its domination of the women character who struggle to assert themselves. Another critic who argues that the Maasai regard women as children is Ciarunji Chesaina 1997 . When a Maasai man talks about his children, he automatically means his wife wives along with children, reason being that women were to be guided and protected by men Ciarunji, 89 . This argument is reflected in my study in terms of how patriarchal Maasai community views women. This aspect of addressing the women as children is also seen in my study and how women are7 treated as equals to the children forms also part of my study because this is part of women s subordination that the women characters want to redefine themselves from. Susan Andrade 2000 interviews both Ogunyemi and Wanjira on their ideologies. In this interview Wanjira and Ogunyemi disassociate themselves from Western feminists whose ideologies such as lesbianism do not fit African community. An African woman should not alienate the man in her attempt to redefine her assertiveness, they argue. They also talk about the gender sensitization program that Wanjira is working on. Ogunyemi argues that feminism does not see beyond Western societies and hence ignores or marginalizes the specific problems of African women Susan, 174 . This interview is relevant to my study since my work employs the theory of Womanism as articulated by Ogunyemi. This interview helps in building the perspective on Womanism in this study. My study also values the role of the man in women s attempt to redefine their assertiveness such as is the case of Norpisia in Vanishing Herds, who values the role of Kedoki in saving the environment while Taiyo in Blossoms of the Savannah values Parmuat s assistance to rescue her from the humiliation of FGM.


This interview is relevant to my study since my work employs the theory of Womanism as articulated by Ogunyemi. This interview helps in building the perspective on Womanism in this study. My study also values the role of the man in women s attempt to redefine their assertiveness such as is the case of Norpisia in Vanishing Herds, who values the role of Kedoki in saving the environment while Taiyo in Blossoms of the Savannah values Parmuat s assistance to rescue her from the humiliation of FGM. Another critic is Akote Amouzou 2006 who demonstrates how Flora Nwapa has contributed to the Redefinition of the female gender and a counter-identification to men s voices in literature, a fight to initiate change in the minds of her people in order to restore women s images and dignity as mothers and wives and promote collaboration and complementarily among the sexes in Nigeria and more generally in Africa Amouzou, 97 . Amouzou observes that in Nigeria the male writers are generally the mouth piece of their society and they treat the female characters as disdainful, indifferent or at times in a cruel manner in which women are regarded in Nigerian society Amouzou, 97 . For Ebele Eko 1986 , these writers invariably cast all women in the strict sexist8 roles of mothers and wives, submissive to the norms and regulations that restrict them Amouzou, 211 . Amouzou further argues that before the publication of Flora Nwapa s Efuru 1966 The female portraiture by men was restricted to a kind of idealization, rigid conventionally, stereotyping and a superficiality that left to be desired. Infact, women were made peripheral Amouzou, 98 . Amouzou gives the example of Charles Nnolim 1989 who analyzed the works of Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi and Elechi Amadi and argues that the women were stereotyped as helpless, dependent, brutalized, disparaged prostitutes or concubines or good time girls Nnolim, 59 . Such women include Ekwensi s Jagua Nana , Amadi s Ihuoma The Concubine and Wole Soyinka s Simi The Interpreters .


Infact, women were made peripheral Amouzou, 98 . Amouzou gives the example of Charles Nnolim 1989 who analyzed the works of Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi and Elechi Amadi and argues that the women were stereotyped as helpless, dependent, brutalized, disparaged prostitutes or concubines or good time girls Nnolim, 59 . Such women include Ekwensi s Jagua Nana , Amadi s Ihuoma The Concubine and Wole Soyinka s Simi The Interpreters . For Chinua Achebe, The man is made the subject of the narratives; he is significant and dominates Nnolim, 98 . Redefinition of female gender by Flora Nwapa is relevant to my study because it offers a benchmark for viewing what redefinition of the role of the woman character is all about in literature. This study also supports the argument by Charles Fonchingong 2006 who argues that the earlier works of Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi, Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong o among other writers placed men as central figures and powerful unlike women. Amouzou 2006 argues that the female characters fight the prejudices of the past in order to restore women to their rightful place in society . Writers, such as, Buchi Emecheta and Flora Nwapa, Present the developmental nature of the female character through a varied exploration of the theme of female assertiveness in the various societal facets which enslave the female Amouzou, 143 . In this works, the key message is that, although women are faced with oppressive cultural norms they must strive to assert themselves. This picture of women undergoing oppressive9 cultural norms is vividly portrayed in the works of Henry ole Kulet but through the characters he shows that they can triumph because at the end Resian and Taiyo join Egerton university while Norpisia is awarded the best environmentalist award. Mary Kolawole 1998 contends that Generally, African women are presented as a subaltern group in the margin of society, docile, and accepting the multiple levels of subjugation gracefully Kolawole, 223 .


In this works, the key message is that, although women are faced with oppressive cultural norms they must strive to assert themselves. This picture of women undergoing oppressive9 cultural norms is vividly portrayed in the works of Henry ole Kulet but through the characters he shows that they can triumph because at the end Resian and Taiyo join Egerton university while Norpisia is awarded the best environmentalist award. Mary Kolawole 1998 contends that Generally, African women are presented as a subaltern group in the margin of society, docile, and accepting the multiple levels of subjugation gracefully Kolawole, 223 . Flora Nwapa s fiction seems to be a cry against that degraded position of Nigerian literature . Flora Nwapa creates a seemingly decent society for women. It is a society respectful of its women. She openly confronts the issues of gender and distribution of power by the patriarchal society. She moves her female characters from the innocent and helpless position to a state of self-empowerment and authority throughout her texts: In all her novellas it is no more the male, but the female character who is the center of concern and she dominates the plot. This is a challenge to the old order . This study guides my work in terms of how Henry ole Kulet has confronted the issue of gender giving women a voice and redefining themselves. Charles Fonchingong 2006 in his interrogation of the gender gap notes, Emecheta in Second Class Citizen has filled the gaping gender between male and female characterization and shown the other side of the coin. The rural backhouse, timid, subservient, lack-lustre woman has been replaced by her modern counterpart, a rounded human being, rotational, individualistic and assertive fighting for, claiming and keeping her own Obiageli and Otokunefor, 1989 . It is important to note that Henry ole Kulet belongs to the caliber of male writers who are now reconstructing the fragmented presentation of African female in earlier works that they had written .


Charles Fonchingong 2006 in his interrogation of the gender gap notes, Emecheta in Second Class Citizen has filled the gaping gender between male and female characterization and shown the other side of the coin. The rural backhouse, timid, subservient, lack-lustre woman has been replaced by her modern counterpart, a rounded human being, rotational, individualistic and assertive fighting for, claiming and keeping her own Obiageli and Otokunefor, 1989 . It is important to note that Henry ole Kulet belongs to the caliber of male writers who are now reconstructing the fragmented presentation of African female in earlier works that they had written . In literature there was an imbalance where the male were put to the centre, such as in the10 works of: Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart 1958 ; Ngugi wa Thiong o, The River Between 1980 ; Wole Soyinka, Seasons of Anomy 1973 , and which has made many male African writers to help the course of feminism. Due to the rise the feminist movement and the efforts that have been expended in reclaiming the distorted image of the female gender, some of the African male writers have come up with works that re present women who are all rounded in perspective . Such writers include Sembene Ousmane 1970 , Ngugi wa Thiong o 1980 , Chinua Achebe 1988 and Henry ole Kulet. These writers have come out strongly and given the gender questions a critical dimension. Sembene Ousmane 1970 , for instance, disagrees with the stereotypes that women cannot be good leaders and they do not possess organizational capacity through his character and portraiture of Penda. Penda mobilizes the women, as well as, being a spokesperson in the strike, hence disapproving the point that women are not vocal and strong. Henry ole Kulet, the writer whose works I study, also portrays female characters such as Eddah and Norpisia who have organizational skills such as mobilizing women to plant trees hence, rehabilitating the environment. They mobilize men too during such an event.


Penda mobilizes the women, as well as, being a spokesperson in the strike, hence disapproving the point that women are not vocal and strong. Henry ole Kulet, the writer whose works I study, also portrays female characters such as Eddah and Norpisia who have organizational skills such as mobilizing women to plant trees hence, rehabilitating the environment. They mobilize men too during such an event. Ngugi, who previously had a gender bias attitude in The River Between 1965 later, empowers his female characters with strength, foresight and perseverance. Gathoni in I Will Marry When I Want 1980 is portrayed as an independent woman in her decision to choose her own husband defying the traditional precepts where parents impose their own choices on the children. Taiyo, too, in Blossoms of the Savannah chooses her own lover who, seemingly, comes from the same clan as she, hence, defined as her brother according to the culture. Gicaamba, in I Will Marry When I Want 1980 advocates for the education of the girl- child. He says, We the parents have not11 put much effort in the education of our girls, we oppressed women, giving ourselves numerous justification forgetting that the home belongs to boys and girls Ngugi . Achebe 1988 presents Beatrice as a professional woman who operates within the same wavelength as the most powerful men in the land . Beatrice presentation shows a woman shouldering the responsibility of charting the course of female emancipation. I, therefore, undertake to study Henry ole Kulet s works Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds bearing in mind that the author is a male writer who uses female characters as the heroines. He writes about the Maasai community. A community that is patriarchal in nature but Henry ole Kulet unbends the gender bias attitude by, first of all, using female characters as his main characters, for example, Resian and Taiyo in Blossoms of the Savannah and Norpisia in Vanishing Herds. Secondly, he emancipates the female characters in such a way that he makes them heroines who overshadow the male characters such as Norpisia in Vanishing Herds where she overshadows her husband, Kedoki. Theoretical Framework This study is guided by Womanism tenet of feminism theory.


A community that is patriarchal in nature but Henry ole Kulet unbends the gender bias attitude by, first of all, using female characters as his main characters, for example, Resian and Taiyo in Blossoms of the Savannah and Norpisia in Vanishing Herds. Secondly, he emancipates the female characters in such a way that he makes them heroines who overshadow the male characters such as Norpisia in Vanishing Herds where she overshadows her husband, Kedoki. Theoretical Framework This study is guided by Womanism tenet of feminism theory. This theory has two main proponents separated by the Atlantic Ocean: the American Alice Walker and the Nigerian Chikwenye Okonjo Ogunyemi. The two writers contend that the black woman is in need of a revolutionary feminist mechanism that is different from that of the white woman. Chidi Maduka 2009 argues that Womanism in Africa was coined by Chikwenye Okonjo Ogunyemi in1982. Maduka defines womanism according to Ogunyemi as,12 Womanism is black centered; it is accomodationist. It believes in the freedom and independence of women like feminism; unlike radical feminism, it wants meaningful union between black women and black men and black children and will see to it that men begin to change from their sexist stand Ogunyemi, 65 . Maduka 2009 argues that womanism, according, to Ogunyemi serves: as the rallying point of the women of African ancestry in their struggle to effectively assert their humanity in the face of the malevolent attitude of the menfolk towards their self-fulfillment in life . Ogunyemi argues that womanism does not make a lesser man but it encourages the men to accept to live with women by first abandoning their self-perception as superior partners in the collective struggle of the race for a better society 14 . Layli Philips 2006 discusses the differences between Womanism by Alice Walker and Chikwenye Ogunyemi. She argues that both scholars coined Womanism almost at the same time but Walker s Womanism advocates for concepts that are intolerable to the African culture, such as lesbianism, while Ogunyemi s Womanism calls for total liberation of African women without neglecting the male who are significant part in that change.


Ogunyemi argues that womanism does not make a lesser man but it encourages the men to accept to live with women by first abandoning their self-perception as superior partners in the collective struggle of the race for a better society 14 . Layli Philips 2006 discusses the differences between Womanism by Alice Walker and Chikwenye Ogunyemi. She argues that both scholars coined Womanism almost at the same time but Walker s Womanism advocates for concepts that are intolerable to the African culture, such as lesbianism, while Ogunyemi s Womanism calls for total liberation of African women without neglecting the male who are significant part in that change. Ogunyemi believes in understanding between men and women in ending marginalization of African woman. This study shapes my study in terms of the fact that men and women participate in ending marginalization of African woman. Henry ole Kulet tries as much as he can to go against traditions such as polygamy, the value of boys against girls and FGM. Ogunyemi s Womanism will, largely, form the theoretical framework of my study. Ely-Sayed Adely 2014 demonstrates that Weep Not, Child 1964 is a womanist fiction. Adely analyses the characteristics of Womanist theory by Alice Walker. Further, Adely demonstrates by13 the use of the character how Womanist theory manifests its self in Weep Not, Child. In the study, she reveals that the female characters in the novel depict characteristics of women underlying Walker s definition of Womanism. For example, the theory of Walker addresses the issue of being a woman and not girlish in Weep Not Child. They reason as women and not in a girlish way. Walker in her theory advocates that a woman is capable of loving and Adely demonstrates that Mwikali loves Njoroge. Walker s theory advocates for a woman who loves other women, an ideology that is seen within women characters such as Taiyo and Resian in Blossoms of the Savannah who love one another such that they fight to achieve what they desire together. Another ideology as advocated by Walker is that: A woman who values Tears as Natural Counter balance of laughter that women a times use their tears as an expression of laughter. These characteristics of Walker s womanish are also applicable in my work and it helps my work in terms of understanding in depth the characterization of women and how they redefine themselves.


Walker s theory advocates for a woman who loves other women, an ideology that is seen within women characters such as Taiyo and Resian in Blossoms of the Savannah who love one another such that they fight to achieve what they desire together. Another ideology as advocated by Walker is that: A woman who values Tears as Natural Counter balance of laughter that women a times use their tears as an expression of laughter. These characteristics of Walker s womanish are also applicable in my work and it helps my work in terms of understanding in depth the characterization of women and how they redefine themselves. Helen Chukwume 1982 examines how female writers have presented female characters who rise above the patriarchy society, in their quest for their rights. Such writers are Flora Nwapa 1984 , Buchi Emecheta 1979 and Nawal el Saadawi 2007 . This study is different from my study since I am studying a male writer, Henry ole Kulet who uses female characters and tries to emancipate them. However, Chukwume s study is relevant to my study since, I am also interested in women emancipating themselves from a highly patriarchy society. This study assists my work which deals with how women have risen above the patriarchy society as they seek their rights. For example Resian refuses to undergo FGM and forced marriage in order to achieve education. Mary Monica 2012 critically examines the portrayal of women in Nwapa s and Emecheta s works. The female characters in these novels have been emancipated, which is what Nwapa and14 Emecheta advocate for since the two are womanists. These characters are bold and ready to emancipate themselves. This study is relevant to my study since am also focusing on female characters who have been emancipated, women who are courageous, and characters that are ready to face any challenges that hinders their growth. I am also looking at characters who participate in economic development such as Norpisia and Eddah Sein in Vanishing Herds. German Kouadio N guessan 2011 discusses the issue of gender .The writer argues that gender is constructed and that the woman is viewed as the other. The writer says that the sexes are socialized into accepting their roles. This study will assist my work because my study majorly focuses on how male and female have been socialized into accepting their roles.


German Kouadio N guessan 2011 discusses the issue of gender .The writer argues that gender is constructed and that the woman is viewed as the other. The writer says that the sexes are socialized into accepting their roles. This study will assist my work because my study majorly focuses on how male and female have been socialized into accepting their roles. This work is reflected in my study due to the issue of women being viewed as the other that helps me in bringing out the concept of emancipation and hence redefinition of women. Amouzou 2006 argues that Womanism wants meaningful union between men and children and wants to see to it that men begin to change from their sexist stand. Womanism is communal in its orientation and goes beyond the husband and wife situation. It is an ideology in which the destiny of distressed people can be urgently discussed in a meaningful context to avert disaster, not just to talk abstractly Amouzou, 102 . Amouzou argues that Flora Nwapa, Nigerian writer, advocates for Womanish: Her fiction shows the true nature of woman, her role, and her contribution to the development of her society, which were played down or neglected in the works of the male writers. Nwapa s major concern for improving the quality of her community, not just women s lives, marks her politics. Genuinely, democratic, her ideology is integrative rather than solely woman-centered. One can say that she does not see the problem of her country Nigeria as solely gender-specific Amouzou, 102 . I draw inspiration from this study since I am addressing15 too the issue of men who are also changing their sexist stand and value the women in the society. They are also leaving in meaningful union between children, husband and wife. Just like Flora Nwapa, my work also shows female characters who participate in developing their society. Sherley Anne Wiilliams 1986 argues that Womanist theory is committed to the survival and wholeness of entire people. Female and male, as well as, valorization of women s works in all their varieties and multitudes Williams, 304 . This study shapes my work since my study shows how women s ability can change a society. For example Norpisia s strength, in Vanishing Herds 2011 , changes the life of her community and that of the wildlife.


Female and male, as well as, valorization of women s works in all their varieties and multitudes Williams, 304 . This study shapes my work since my study shows how women s ability can change a society. For example Norpisia s strength, in Vanishing Herds 2011 , changes the life of her community and that of the wildlife. She helps in resuscitating the environment hence changing the life of people. Mary Mears 2009 argues that Flora Nwapa writes about women and their lives, issues, and concerns within a traditional Igbo culture radically affected by British colonialism . She argues that women desire change, choice and to be accepted. Women desire to participate, just like other human beings, fully. They want to be free from traditional roles such as workers, wives, and mothers. Instead, they wish greater freedom than traditional Igbo customs allow in the domestic and public realms . This study is relevant to my study since I study how women redefine themselves from the Maasai traditions and customs that demean and subordinates women. I also study women who participate in developing their society. They redefine themselves from the fact that they are only supposed to be house wives and mothers to better things such as taking care of environment as well as to be educated to highest levels of education. Georgiads Mboya Kivai 2010 argues that in an effort to empower the African woman, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie crafts stories with female subjects pursuing female interests. She also structures her narrative to contest the male power with its violent manifestations Kivai, 23 . Kivai,16 further, argues that Adichie is involved in the creation of discourse meant to push women from margins to the centre. This study is reflected in my works in similar way that Adichie push women from margins to the centre is more less the same way Henry ole Kulet pushes women from traditional roles to powerful roles such as economic participation, improving environment, taking care of environment in Vanishing Herds 2011 and in Blossoms of the Savannah 2008 such as education as FGM and forced marriages. Womanism theory is suitable for this study because the author, Henry ole Kulet uses women as central characters and presents them as heroines in his works. He tries to give a voice to women in a society that is dominantly patriarchal in nature.


This study is reflected in my works in similar way that Adichie push women from margins to the centre is more less the same way Henry ole Kulet pushes women from traditional roles to powerful roles such as economic participation, improving environment, taking care of environment in Vanishing Herds 2011 and in Blossoms of the Savannah 2008 such as education as FGM and forced marriages. Womanism theory is suitable for this study because the author, Henry ole Kulet uses women as central characters and presents them as heroines in his works. He tries to give a voice to women in a society that is dominantly patriarchal in nature. Womanism is an appropriate theory since the novels are set in Africa, focuses on the African culture, specifically, the Maasai culture and this is a feature of Womanism since it focuses on African issues. The other reason is that the central figures are women who the author places as central heroines. This, therefore, refutes the argument by Makuchi 1993 who argues that Most male writers have been heavily criticized for their representations of African women in subservient gender roles. They are portrayed as women who are passive, always prepared to do the bidding of their husbands and family, as having no status of their own and therefore completely dependent on their husbands Makuchi, 7 . The theory is applicable to my work because the two novels, Blossoms of the Savannah 2008 and Vanishing Herds 2011 deal with issues of blacks of African descendants. The issues focus on women, their lives and their concerns. The narrator beliefs in the freedom and independence of women. The novels also believe in meaningful union between women, men and children as advocated for by Womanism. The fictions place the women as central characters Norpisia and17 Resian are heroines in the narratives and all the issues centers around them. The narrator argues that men should begin to change from the culture perception that subdues them. The novels show the struggle of women of African ancestry for self-fulfillment. Resian struggles to join university while Norpisia struggles to rehabilitate the environment. This is what brings them joy after they achieve. Womanism shows the assertiveness of women towards the men s attitude. Resian does not fear to fight against the plan of his father, Oloisudori and Olarinkoi.


This is what brings them joy after they achieve. Womanism shows the assertiveness of women towards the men s attitude. Resian does not fear to fight against the plan of his father, Oloisudori and Olarinkoi. Norpisia too, does not mind what people may think when she carries weapons and fights the cattle rustlers to death. The novels value men and see them as important. Norpisia sees her husband as a very good helper in her ambitions to save the environment. Taiyo also sees Parmuat as the only person who can rescue her from the humiliation of forced initiation. Although Resian wants to pursue education but believes that one time, later in life, that she will be married and have kids. She respects her own father. Taiyo also believes in being rescued by Parmuat. Norpisia in Vanishing Herds, loves and respects the husband, she takes care of his needs by cooking food for him and nursing him back to health. She works together with him towards changing the environment. The two novels project their worlds as more communal than individualistic. The families live together happily. They do things as a community. The Nasila people in Blossoms of the Savannah come together to welcome the ole Kaelo, they come together to fight the vice of men who attempt to rape Resian and Taiyo. Norpisia together with Masintet s community plant trees so as to protect the environment. The novels show the true nature of women. It has shown their physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual nature of women, their strength, ability and the length that they can go to achieve it. The novels show the contribution of women to the development of the society. Minik, in Blossoms of the Savannah, starts a ranch where she employs people. Norpisia assists women to plant trees and are rewarded with sheep according to the number of trees planted. 18 Research Methodology The theoretical framework of Womanism determined the methodology that I employ in this research. It influenced my focus on the characterization of the Maasai woman like Norpisia in Vanishing Herds. It is by focusing on the women characters that we are able to see how Henry ole Kulet defines the woman in accordance with Maasai conception of the female. The theory helped me focus on those aspects of characterization that best exhibited the aspects that redefine femininity in the Maasai contexts depicted in the two works.


It influenced my focus on the characterization of the Maasai woman like Norpisia in Vanishing Herds. It is by focusing on the women characters that we are able to see how Henry ole Kulet defines the woman in accordance with Maasai conception of the female. The theory helped me focus on those aspects of characterization that best exhibited the aspects that redefine femininity in the Maasai contexts depicted in the two works. The focus that I put on the character of Resian in Blossoms of the Savannah and her passion for education as a way of transforming her life and her opposition to FGM is inspired by Womanism theory that insists on looking at the woman in society in terms of how she tries to overcome the barriers of patriarchy to contribute to the well-being of the society. The analytical tools guided by Womanism theory helps in identifying productive and reproductive roles of women in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. The productive roles include activities that help women acquire money, resources and all activities that bring value into the society. On the other hand, reproductive roles are day to day activities carried out women such as cooking, fetching water and firewood, caring for the family and procreation for the continuity of the community. The Womanism theory helps in identifying how women have redefined themselves in terms of leadership status, education, assertiveness and from customs and traditions that keep women in low status such as FGM, early marriages, forced marriages, dictatorship and polygamy. It brings out the value of men in their help in emancipating the women in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. Further, the study begins by a close reading of the primary texts: Vanishing Herds and Blossoms of the Savannah with a view to find out how the women have been presented. I examined how women characters were presented by closely examining the plot, characterization and plot19 development guided by Womanism theory. I analyzed how women are represented as using language in order to redefine themselves from the traditions. To do a qualitative analysis I did close textual reading of the novels. Library research assisted in adding information concerning the culture of the Maasai. Scope and Limitation This study focuses on Henry ole Kulet s Vanishing Herds and Blossoms of the Savannah. The two novels provide an in-depth towards understanding how women have been presented leading to their redefinition. The paper focuses on re definition of femininity.


Scope and Limitation This study focuses on Henry ole Kulet s Vanishing Herds and Blossoms of the Savannah. The two novels provide an in-depth towards understanding how women have been presented leading to their redefinition. The paper focuses on re definition of femininity. Other books written by Henry ole Kulet have been referred to in providing more information on this research project. Chapter Breakdown Chapter One Introduction This chapter consists of the introduction to this study. It provides background information on the concept of women in Africa and gender. The introduction provides the statement of the problem and justifies it. It further states the objectives of the study as well as the theoretical framework employed and further explains the methodology applied. Chapter Two This chapter focuses on examining femininity in Vanishing Herds. Here I focus on how the author shows the woman as defining and redefining her place within the Maasai culture as is presented in the novel. 20 Chapter Three This chapter focuses on the second novel, Blossoms of the Savannah. I, closely, look at the text so as to establish how femininity has been presented in this novel. Chapter Four In this chapter I do a comparative analysis of the two books. My aim is to show how the author uses plot development, characterization and language use in presenting the female characters in Blossoms of the Savannah and Vanishing Herds. Chapter Five This chapter concludes my argument by tying together all elements discussed here by making a conclusion on the topic, the research finding and a suggestion for further research. 21 CHAPTER TWO EXAMINING FEMININITY IN VANISHING HERDS Introduction In anthropology studies done on the Maasai community by researchers like Stephen Sitoya ole Sankan 1971 have shown that the place of women in that community is defined by the cultural norms where cattle play a big role: Should a man mistakenly marry a girl of the same cattle brand as himself he pays a heifer so as to wife off the disgrace Sankan, 2 . Paul Spencer 1988 also says that within the clans the members know which families may or may not intermarry. It is recommended that the right pillar should marry the left pillar, but if marriage does occur within one pillar of clans, the prospective husband may pay a heifer to the family of his bride to wipe out the incest Spencer, 28 .


21 CHAPTER TWO EXAMINING FEMININITY IN VANISHING HERDS Introduction In anthropology studies done on the Maasai community by researchers like Stephen Sitoya ole Sankan 1971 have shown that the place of women in that community is defined by the cultural norms where cattle play a big role: Should a man mistakenly marry a girl of the same cattle brand as himself he pays a heifer so as to wife off the disgrace Sankan, 2 . Paul Spencer 1988 also says that within the clans the members know which families may or may not intermarry. It is recommended that the right pillar should marry the left pillar, but if marriage does occur within one pillar of clans, the prospective husband may pay a heifer to the family of his bride to wipe out the incest Spencer, 28 . Sankan who also discusses the question of masculinity and war says that the Maasai women live separate houses from men Sankan, 40 . Women, do not handle warriors food unless a ceremony is carried out Sankan, 30 . Sankan also says that women welcomed warriors from war with songs and dances. Barren women, according to Sankan, go round collecting things for ancestral prayer, a women-blessing ceremony: This is a ceremony where women are blessed so that they may become more fertile Sankan, 42 . Andrews Fedders 1974 says it was22 in rare situations such as when a woman gave birth that a woman would slaughter a sheep. Removing of blood from large animals is done by men Fedders, 20 . These elements of the Maasai culture as studied by the anthropologists: Sankan, Spencer, Fedders and Saitoti are also reflected in Vanishing Herds and Blossoms of the Savannah. What defines the traditionally Maasai women is captured in these studies. They discuss the role of men as being head of the home, disciplines and protect the family. The scholars mainly studied the role of men and women in Maasai community. Definition of Femininity The Maasai woman is shown to be first defined by the code of dress that tradition ascribes her by Henry ole Kulet. The Maasai women had their dressing code which exemplifies the traditional expectation of the Maasai community.


The scholars mainly studied the role of men and women in Maasai community. Definition of Femininity The Maasai woman is shown to be first defined by the code of dress that tradition ascribes her by Henry ole Kulet. The Maasai women had their dressing code which exemplifies the traditional expectation of the Maasai community. When Norpisia was to visit Sein, the environmentalist, the women were adorned in lesos and multi-coloured bead necklace. The Maasai women wore lesos and shukas around their bodies depending on the clan that they came from. They wore beaded necklaces around their necks. They wore rubbers on their feet. For instance, Norpisia wore white pair of rubbers bought for her by Sein. Their male counterparts wore red shukas and Enkilaoondeeri, a beautiful outer garment made from soft wooly hyrax skins sewn into gown-like cloak. This is also seen in Daughter of Maa 1990 where Seleina is described as wearing shukas and had ornaments such as multi-coloured bead necklaces around her neck Daughter of Maa ,61 . The shuka is red-ochred. Women s role is defined by Henry ole Kulet as milking, preparing meals and looking after the young ones. She is to take care of her house. She ensures that her children as well as the husband are well fed. Norpisia had; A pot humming on one side of the fire, stone, as two hindquarters of mutton boiled. A large chunk of lamb chops spitted over the flames, with its outer fat layer sizzling 23 Vanishing Herds, 106 . It was the woman s role to light the fire and keep the house warm. We see Norpisia lighting fire and prepare their evening meals Vanishing Herds, 146 . She welcomes the husband warmly. For example the night when the wild beasts run off and they got back into the house, Norpisia went straight to check on her baby. She then stirred up the fire and boiled some milk. She served her husband and took some herself Vanishing Herds, 188 . In Is It Possible? 1971 it was the role of the women to milk for example Lerionka s mother milk s the cows Is It Possible? 9 .


In Is It Possible? 1971 it was the role of the women to milk for example Lerionka s mother milk s the cows Is It Possible? 9 . In To Become a Man 1972 Kitika s mother, too, milks cows that had been brought by Kitika in their last raid To Become a Man, 15 . After a successful raid the women in To Become a Man sing soothly as the milk the cows To Become a Man, 85 . A woman had the obligation of ensuring that calves had fed, kids and lambs had suckled and dogs too, should be well fed Vanishing Herds, 27 . Weak animals were to be taken care of by women just like the way we see Norpisia caring for the weak ones and especially those that were unable to walk. Women were defined by the responsibility that they had at home. They fed the young ones of the animals by giving them milk. We see this when Norpisia is said to be giving the four wildebeest milk. Women had the responsibility to ensure that there was drinking water for her family. A woman has the responsibility to take care of the husband in Vanishing Herds. Norpisia makes an olchuret, a head covering to shield the husband from rain when he had been attacked by the cattle rustlers. She also nurses the husband back to health after he is attacked by the cattle rustlers. She predicts a man s needs. The reason being, it is the man who protects her and her children from danger. For if she did not protect the man who then would protect them in case any thing happened to the husband? Vanishing Herds,91 . In Daughter of Maa 1990 , too, the woman 24 --had to take care of husband s interests, cattle, sheep, goats, and above all his physical well- being Daughter of Maa,108 . In nomadism, the woman followed the animals from the rear. Her work was to look after the sick animals and young ones of the animals so that they may not fall into predator s hand. This is exactly the role that Norpisia performs. She follows their animals from the rear so as they would not fall into the hands of predators.


Her work was to look after the sick animals and young ones of the animals so that they may not fall into predator s hand. This is exactly the role that Norpisia performs. She follows their animals from the rear so as they would not fall into the hands of predators. This shows that the women performed menial jobs and were not trusted with strong and challenging jobs such as leading the animals from the front and protecting the whole herd as man was expected to do. The Maasai women as defined by Henry ole Kulet were the ones to construct huts. Norpisia makes a temporarily hut called olongoborr, She offloaded poles from one of the donkeys and erected them on the ground. Within no time, she had set a temporary hut of sticks and hides called olongoborr Vanishing Herds, 22 . Women were to construct the houses they lived in and we see women helping Norpisia to erect her first semi-permanent house Vanishing Herds, 180 . Incase of oncoming rains the women had to ensure that the roofs were not leaking at all. If they did not do that they were held as irresponsible. In Is It Possible? 1971 women repaired the roofs in case they were damaged and the rains were either about to fall or were falling by smearing the roofs with mud Is It Possible? 16 . It is also evidenced in To Become a Man 1972 when the rains start falling and drops through the roof at Lesho s father s house, Leshao s father says that he would look for a woman who would plaster their roof since Leshao's mother had died and that was her responsibility. Immediately, two women are seen repairing the Leshao s father s roof To Become a Man, 2 . 25 It is the responsibility of a Maasai woman to have children for procreation of the community as shown by Henry ole Kulet. And that is why Norpisia is thinking of having children before the two of them get old. She tells him that back at her home women of her age had already got their second child: I think it s the way a wife tells her husband how much she loves him and cares for him, whether she has children or not but I think I need to tell you I want to have your child before I get too old Vanishing Herds, 91 . Many women in marriage or before marriage desire to have children.


We notice the passionate feelings that women have for things that they love. Any harm happening to things that they love makes them so emotional that they end up crying. Norpisia cried after a hyena had killed and dragged away one of the sheep. To her it is a painful experience that she cannot bear. She is sad when she leaves behind her home and her relatives. She feels sad when she is separated from her friends at Eorr-Narasha. When the people bid them bye, Norpisia returned his wave, tears welling up in her eyes, she was suddenly overcome by the knowledge that she might never see the people of Eorr-Narasha again Vanishing Herds, 216 . Although it is an emotional parting but Norpisia is overwhelmed by sad emotions unlike Kedoki. She is sad too when she loses her siblings. However, Kedoki was strong and accepted his loss stoically Vanishing Herds, 40 . Such that Norpisia desired to emulate him and be emotionally strong as him. In Is It Possible? 1971 Lerionka s mother is so emotional because white people were to take one boy-child from each household so as to attend school yet Lerionka was her only son. The husband consoles her by telling her that the white men are not only taking their son but It is the boys of all the Maasai Is It Possible?11 . When Lerionka saw her mother crying he soothes her and persuades her to stop crying Is It Possible?11 . In To Become a Man, Leshao s aunt cries after seeing the situation that Leshao was in after the unsuccessful raid that led to one of his legs amputated To Become a Man, 135 . Men were not allowed to cry and this is seen when ole Sulunye, the circumciser wants to see Leshao s circumcised organ and when Leshao is about to cry he is told that Men don t cry To Become a Man, 109 . Women are defined as a weaker sex that is affected by issues such as death. In Vanishing Herds the women are not an exception to this. After the death of Norpisia s elder brother and sister, her28 mother was inconsolable. She became sadder than her husband. She refused to be comforted.


After the death of Norpisia s elder brother and sister, her28 mother was inconsolable. She became sadder than her husband. She refused to be comforted. A woman is seen as a person who is weak and depended on the man for protection. For example, when the group saw several morans, Norpisia scooped her baby and hastily retreated into her Olngoborr, a hut 177 . While Kedoki, Lembarata and Masintet stood ready to defend themselves in case of any eventuality. A woman s weakness is shown when Norpisia faces a herd of rhinos. She runs for her dear life and she cries as she runs. In Is It Possible? 1971 women are defined too as cowards. When strange men come to their homestead they leave one at a time carrying along their children to the bush: And in the end only men were left there Is It Possible?,. 12 . In To Become a Man 1972 women scream and ran from hut to hut snatching up their children who were playing in the moonlight and disappeared into the huts To Become a Man, 132 . When Leshao and Mbulung go to the circumciser s house all the women enter their huts and bring them honey for fear of what may befall them. Their faces too express fear To Become a Man, 96 . Women are defined in terms of having occasional outbursts of anger, mood swings and being stubborn at times by Henry ole Kulet. Just like Norpisia was. And the husband learned to accept and give her, her space during such occasions when she was in such moods Vanishing Herds, 46 . When there is heavy rain she stands in the rain crying until Kedoki comes for her Vanishing Herds, 109 . The narrator portrays that women are not used to being in the wilderness for long. Norpisia though being with Kedoki was tired of loneliness such that she longs for a human soul Vanishing Herds, 53 . This does not bother Kedoki at all. As long as he is with his wife and his livestock he feels quiet okay and not isolated from the people Vanishing Herds, 60 . She weakens too during her pregnancy Vanishing Herds, 156 . 29 Women are defined as shy in front of people by Henry ole Kulet.


As long as he is with his wife and his livestock he feels quiet okay and not isolated from the people Vanishing Herds, 60 . She weakens too during her pregnancy Vanishing Herds, 156 . 29 Women are defined as shy in front of people by Henry ole Kulet. This is expressed when the narrator says, That when the women looked at Norpisia it made her sharply aware of the thin lesos she was wearing. She suddenly felt dizzy as if she was treading in the air. Kedoki quickly took hold of her arm to reassure her. It was then that he realized the damage caused to her mind by the long isolation in the wilderness. She had become xenophobic and was now wary of strangers Vanishing Herds, 129 . This kind of shyness always made women to be humble before their husbands, as well as, subdue. As a result of being described as weaker sex it was therefore, the responsibility of the man to protect the woman. Kedoki, the husband, comes out ready to protect her with a spear. When Norpisia sees a herd of elephants she runs towards him so as to be protected. This shows that Maasai men are the ones to protect their women. For, according to the culture, the women are weaker than the men. It is with this assumption that Kedoki had dismissed the strength of women. He regarded women as gender of little consequence. He saw them as only purposed to procreate but this was changed immediately he found Norpisia. When Kedoki is attacked by cattle rustlers and lies on the ground, he thinks about Norpisia. The norms of the Maa culture stipulates that, man is to protect the woman at all times and not the other way round, a woman was to protect the husband and Kedoki thinks that he has to take care of his wife. He prays that they do not find her and molest her. The narrator says that it was his duty to defend her. He thinks of what they might do to her such as molest her, rape or abduct her Vanishing Herds, 75 . The reason as to why Kedoki is worried about Norpisia is because a woman within Maasai community is viewed as a weakling and it is the role of the man to defend her at any given time.


The narrator says that it was his duty to defend her. He thinks of what they might do to her such as molest her, rape or abduct her Vanishing Herds, 75 . The reason as to why Kedoki is worried about Norpisia is because a woman within Maasai community is viewed as a weakling and it is the role of the man to defend her at any given time. During any raids or fights as said by Leshao in To Become a Man 1972 women are never30 killed because Maasai men do not kill their women because they are considered as weaklings To Become a Man, 95 . In matters concerning the community, the women are not informed. Matters about their forced marriage were discussed in their absentia and dowry paid. Women are married off and dowry paid without their consent. For example without Norpisia s knowledge, Kedoki had proposed to marry her. Kedoki had entered a deal with Norpisia s father and the deal was sealed. She was given out to Kedoki without being consulted Vanishing Herds, 16 . This shows that women did not participate in any decision making and in cases where decisions were made, the women did not oppose at all. It was a norm and custom that the girls knew and it was not a surprise to them when they learnt that their fathers had married them off, so when Norpisia learnt that she had been married off she was not surprised because she was already eighteen years old Vanishing Herds,12 . The definition of any woman beyond eighteen years is marriageable and when it came to that the girl could not question the father because matters concerning marriage lay solely on the father. This is also seen in Daughter of Maa 1990 where Nalotuesha asks Nariku-Nkera, When did women of Maa protest when their husbands wanted to marry? Daughter of Maa, 72 . She reminds her that her husband if he wanted would marry without even asking for her consent for the men made decisions on when to marry and who to marry without asking the wives. Kedoki does not involve Norpisia in decision making. When he recovers from the injuries inflicted on him from the cattle rustlers he holds private discussions with Masintet and Lembrata.


They only come to the place when he calls for them. As such the slaughtering place acts as a space that determines feminine identity among the Maasai. Women were married off to men who they did not know and went with them to their homes in distant places. Norpisia is not exempted from this, She was now headed to an undisclosed destination with a husband she hardly knew Vanishing Herds, 21 . A woman had no right to object to this and she had to follow the decision that had been made by the elders in the community. 32 When a woman is married she is supposed to walk behind her husband. A woman is not supposed to cross any log or any object on her way. It was the work of shepu-Ilkerra to remove it for her. Kedoki and the wife have to walk for long distances even though the two do not have shepu-Ilkerra Vanishing Herds,17 .This, therefore, shows that the man was perceived as the head and it was his role to lead the woman as well as protect her. The Maasai had a way of respecting their elders. Girls and women greeted men by bowing their heads and for their mothers, they kissed them. For example, the narrator says when Norpisia approached her father, bowed to greet him, and went to where her mother was seated and hugged her, kissing her lightly on her lips Vanishing Herds, 14 . A woman was to greet an elderly man by bowing her head. This demonstrated respect for the male counterparts in the Maa community. The old man calls Norpisia, nakeria, a child, a term commonly referred to all the females Vanishing Herds, 140 . The nakeria term defines women as equals to children. Women referred to any elder who is his father s age mate as father, Papaai as Norpisia calls Barnoti s father Vanishing Herds, 141 . Therefore, definition of the traditional Maa woman equaled her to children in the face of male authority. Further, women are defined as submissive by the narrator. Norpisia displays this character when she sees Lemeisssorri, Barnoti s father, she quickly walked up to the old man, stopped a few feet from him and bent her head in greetings.


Therefore, definition of the traditional Maa woman equaled her to children in the face of male authority. Further, women are defined as submissive by the narrator. Norpisia displays this character when she sees Lemeisssorri, Barnoti s father, she quickly walked up to the old man, stopped a few feet from him and bent her head in greetings. He lifted his hand and lightly touched the top of her head Vanishing Herds, 140 . Unlike Kedoki who only extends his hand in greetings. Young boys and all females within the Maa community are supposed to bent their heads to greet any elder who is elderly than them. This shows that women are to be submissive towards the men for it shows their respect towards the elders. 33 Again weapons also defined the superiority of male and female in Maasai community. Women handled a smoothly, slender polished sticks, sticks on which they leaned slightly on. The slender stick was used for supporting them as they walked. This is different from their counterparts who carried spears and knobkerries demonstrating strength and might. For example in Bandits of Kibi 1999 the men carry bows, arrows, spears and knob-kerries Bandits of Kibi, 21 . In Daughter of Maa 1990 Joseph Malon was seen in the evenings working on a new stick or knobkerrie Daughter of Maa, 149 . In To Become a Man 1972 boys carried spears and that is why Leshao carries his too To Become a Man, 1 . The men and boys carried swords in a scabbard tied to their waist To Become a Man, 7 . When Leshao is asked to share meat with Mbulung he draws his sword from its sheath To Become a Man, 10 . Leshao and Mbulung find an old man in the forest carrying a bow, arrows and a quiver dangling on his back To Become a Man,92 . Leshao sees men in his homestead ,as he arrives from his meeting with Mbulung , With spears, some with clubs, some with bows and some with their drawn swords To Become a Man,83 . Maasai women are defined by their height. Mostly, many of them are tall and slender.


Leshao sees men in his homestead ,as he arrives from his meeting with Mbulung , With spears, some with clubs, some with bows and some with their drawn swords To Become a Man,83 . Maasai women are defined by their height. Mostly, many of them are tall and slender. For example, the narrator says that he allowed them to construct their cattle enclosure next to his own while his wife, a tall slender woman draped in colourful lesos, and multi-coloured beads, invited Norpisia into Olgoborr Vanishing Herds,119 . Maasai women are defined as beautiful: Her beauty was accentuated by her sparkling eyes and her beautiful smile. What a beautiful wife he had in Norpisia Vanishing Herds, 219 . In Daughter of Maa 1990 Seleina is described as tall, thin, slender hands, large brown eyes that made look beautiful Daughter of Maa, 61 . Womanhood is also expressed in Vanishing Herds in a number of ways that defines Maasai femininity. Eddah desires to know more about meeting Norpisia so as she knows more about her. 34 Womanhood and sisterhood is normally a concept with women. We find Norpisia and Masintet s wife becoming great friends and inseparable Vanishing Herds, 204 . She finds it hard to separate from her and wishes that her husband would change her mind so as they would stay a little bit longer. She teaches Masintet s wife about herbs and how to cure both the people and the sick Vanishing Herds, 205 . Women are defined as gossipers for when they walked on coming across a group of women who stood by the road, their arms folded across their chests, gossiping as they stared at Norpisia Vanishing Herds, 129 . Therefore, when they see Norpisia they start gossiping about her which makes her so uneasy. In To Become a Man 1972 women, too, are described as gossipers. For example when two women are forced by their husbands to repair Leshao s father s roof they speak ill of Leshao s father unaware that Leshao was hearing To Become a Man, 2 .


Therefore, when they see Norpisia they start gossiping about her which makes her so uneasy. In To Become a Man 1972 women, too, are described as gossipers. For example when two women are forced by their husbands to repair Leshao s father s roof they speak ill of Leshao s father unaware that Leshao was hearing To Become a Man, 2 . When Leshao kept begging for food from neighbour s the women decided collectively that they would not continue feeding two men: Leshao and his father and truly whenever Leshao went begging for flour they would show him empty tins To Become a Man, 9 . When the moran s returned from a successful raid the narrator says that women whispered the news from one ear to another To Become a Man, 100 . Redefinition of Femininity The efforts at redefinition of femininity in Vanishing Herds is highly praised by Henry ole Kulet. Norpisia is bestowed with high praises such that even the representative of the governors praises her for her accomplishment in the resuscitation, rehabilitation and the conservation of the environment. She is described as unsurpassed in organizational skills and leadership qualities35 which enables her to marshal groups of women to plant thousands of tree-seedlings that matured into invaluable forests Vanishing Herds, 8 . Norpisia is presented as a leader. She is elected to lead women in conserving the environment: Sein was convinced that Norpisia was a born-leader. She could successfully lead her community in tackling some of the issues that had contributed to the degradation of the environment Vanishing Herds, 196 . And when the women choose her to spear head the resuscitation of the environment the narrator says , she accepted the challenge wholeheartedly and immediately embarked on forestation Vanishing Herds, 196 . This also shows her will to assist in developing her society through curbing destruction of the forests through reforestation which is one of the many qualities of a leader. Norpisia possesses organizational skills and leadership qualities. Which Amouzou 2006 posits that in Flora Nwapa works, women s roles transcend the domestic and reproductive Amouzou, 101 .