Female Characters Contesting Maasai Traditional Cultural Practices and Materialism in H.R. Ole Kulet’s Blossoms of the Savannah and Daughter of Maa
Loading...
Date
2018
Authors
Wanyonyi, Paul Khaemba
Bwonya, Jane
Magak, Kitche
Mugubi, John
Mbithi, Katheu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Centre for Research Training and Development, United Kingdom
Abstract
This paper examines how the Kenyan writer H.R. Ole Kulet portrays female
characters vis-à-vis Maasai traditional practices in Blossoms of the Savannah and Daughter
of Maa. It proceeds from the premise that characterization plays a pivotal role in depicting the
place and role of particular characters in a work of art. For instance, the roles assigned to
certain characters in the work of art reflect on their cultural position in the society. It is in this
way, the paper examines female characters in the two texts aiming to show how the author
portrays cultural conflicts in regard to their positions and roles in the society. From a close
reading of the text, it is evident that these characters help to bring out cultural conflicts in the
Maasai community. Some of them are either rebelling against traditional cultural practices as
they embrace modernity while others are defending the traditional cultural practices as they
oppose modernity. This paper contributes useful data on the role of literature in inspiring
social consciousness on gender and development issues.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Portrayal, Female Characters, Maasai Traditional Cultural Practices, H.R. Ole Kulet, Blossoms, Savannah, Daughter, Maa
Citation
European Journal of English Language and Literature Studies Vol.6, No.3, pp.7-17, April 2018