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Maa culture is not easily eroded by modernism. Explain five cultural practices that are still practiced by the Nasila people as portrayed in Blossoms of the Savannah

Answer Text:
Culture is the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time. Some Cultural practices are dynamic rather than static, they change all the time, every day, in subtle and tangible ways. In the novel Blossoms of the Savannah, we encounter both dynamic and static Maa cultural practices.
To begin with, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a Maa cultural practice. This is actually the heart of the story. It a negative cultural practice, outdated and has no standing in the changing Nasila yet still practiced by many. When Kaelo’s family relocates to the village, Mama Milanoi fears for her daughters. Resian and Taiyo also dread being subjected to the archaic practice. They are informed by Joseph Parmuat about the origin of FGM which make Resian affirm that it is truly used by Nasila men to oppress women. Mama Milanoi also affirms the origin of this cultural practice saying, “It was the shame and anger that was provoked by Ilarinkon taunts, lewd teasing and provocative posturing that made the women do what they did to curtail those desires the worthless predators exploited to prey upon them” (p.90). We see her fight against this retrogressive culture even with the great opposition that she encounters from conservative Nasila men and women. She manages to rescue girls including Resian and Taiyo from this oppressive and demeaning cultural practice.
Another Maa cultural practice is polygamy. Ole Kaelo seem contended with his lean family and wife but his brother Simiren, his junior, has four wives and more than sixteen children. The Nasila Elders has termed reckless his decision to remain married to one wife. Oloisudori is also polygamous. He take Kaelo and his wife to
visit one of his six homes. He has built another for Resian too. They are introduce to a wife number three in his palatial home in Naivasha. Taiyo falls in love with Joseph Parmuat but culture prevents them from expressing their love for each other. According to the the Maa culture, people from the same clan should not marry. Simiren tells Mama Milanoi that they should be warned not to continue with their illicit contact which is considered a taboo that is bound to have untold consequences.
According to Nasila culture, if a man sought refuge between the legs of an old man, he was to be spared despite the crime committed (p.162). There is a way justice is exercised, anybody who violates cultural values of Nasila culture is faced with laid down punishment. Both Ntara Muyo and Lante who had attempted to rape Resian and Taiyo are forced to pay fines to the girls and their fathers. Ntara Muyo is to give an extra heifer to cover the shame that he had occasioned by accosting his own sister. Mama Milanoi appreciates Nasila culture which spares her nephew from death.
The culture of communal life is also evident in the novel. During Ole Kaelo’s homecoming ceremony, young men and women from the clan work together to make the day successful. When Resian and Taiyo go to stay at their uncle’s place for some time, they witness some positive aspects of communal life and unity at Simiren’s home. We are told that, “Life and work in that home was communal. Although each mother had her own house and cooked her own food, all grown up daughters helped each one of them. They also see how women who are vulnerable due to pregnancy are helped without discrimination. There are hardly any disagreements and virtues of selflessness and sharing are emphasized. Again when Ole Kaelo’s daughters are assaulted by two men, the communal way of life is portrayed. The men come together to look for the victims.
In conclusion, in the novel, the author explores the tradition of the Maa people, narrowing down to Nasilian community, to look at the socio-economic and political set-up of the Maasai people.