EXCERPT 2

Questions
1) Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4mks)
Minik sends a worker to fetch Resian. When Resian gets to Minik’s house, she senses that Minnik is angry and
it turns out that she is unhappy of the new daring cases of arrogant predators who are challenging her for
selfish gains; threatening her effort to fight female circumcision and forced underage marriages. Minik tells
Resian of the unexpected events and the challenges the rescue team went through. She does this carefully not
frighten Resian and eventually, quietly and coolly drops the bombshell that the rescued girl is Taiyo and the
man killed during the rescue is Joseph Parmuat.
2) In which place did the rescue team find the weak and sickly girl? (1mk)
In a village called Esoit. She was in a home that was heavily guarded by Oloisudon’s men.
3) ‘bracing herself appropriately, she quietly and coolly dropped the bombshell.’ What was the bombshell?
(2mks)
That the rescued girl was Taiyo and that the man that was killed was Joseph Parmuat.
4) Describe the relationship of the man who assisted the rescue team with the weak and sickly girl.
(2mks)
Taiyo and Joseph Parmuat were in a love relationship though Joseph had declined her love citing the reasons
that he and Taiyo were considered related( a brother and a sister)
5) Discuss two outstanding themes in the excerpt. (4mks)
a) Conflict/ fear – the home in which Taiyo was kept was heavily guarded by Oloisudon’s men. When the
rescue team struck, women in the hut where Taiyo was kept screamed in terror. The team managed to get into
the hut, carried Taiyo and scampered away fast, like men fleeing from a burning village. They were lucky to
have escaped, for immediately put her onto the vehicle and they themselves had jumped into it, the fierce-
looking guards arrived, breathless, but fuming furiously and brandishing all sorts of deadly weapons. On
seeing that they had been outsmarted, they resorted to throwing stones at them.
b) Death – the man who had assisted them so much and enabled them to rescue the girl, was speared to death
by those thugs who accused him of tricking them so the girl could be stolen
6) How is Minik portrayed in this excerpt. (4mks)
a) Cautious – she wanted to approach the matter carefully not to frighten Resian. She knew Resian was still
recovering from her trauma and could not, therefore, bear another traumatic experience.
b) Caring/ kind – she cared about the wellbeing of Resian and Taiyo. She did everything to ensure the girl
(Taiyo) was rescued. She was kind enough not to cause more fear in Resian therefore she approached the
mattercautiously.
7) What is the role of Minik as shown in the rest of the text. (3mks)
Minik is a feminist whose role is to rescue girls from forced marriages and FGM. Her fight against female
circumcision and forced underage marriages had achieved tremendous success as she had rescued over 500
girls who were living in her ranch. Minik is aware of the new threats from the rich men who are challenging
to outsmart her with their monetary prowess but she is as fierce as a wasp the reason she was nicknamed
‘wasp’ by Ole Supeyo. She is a well-known crusader against the retrogressive cultural practices that are
against the girl child.
8) How has hyperbole been used in the excerpt? (2mks)
the ability of the rescue team to outsmart the heavily armed guards is over stated.

9) ‘but the man from Nasila was able to lure the whole team of guards to a beer party at a nearby village,
leaving the girl unguarded.’ Rewrite this sentence beginning with a participle phrase.
(1mk)
Leaving the girl unguarded, the man from Nasila was able to lure the whole team of guards to a beer party at a
nearby village.
10) Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt. (2mks)
I. Scampered
Run with quick steps in fear
II. Outsmarted
Defeated
 EXCERPT-(KAPSABET)
There had been a near-rape incident and the girls were traumatized, thus they needed a change of
environment.√1 There was pressure on Mama Milanoi to get the girls begin the rituals of circumcision yet
she couldn’t handle the whole matter alone/ without the support of yeiyo-botorr. √1Their father had become
so violent and the girls’ presence would make matters worse. √ (any 2 reasons = 2 marks)
b) They were cheerfully/heartily received √1 There was anticipation of fun and adventure √1 The girls found
peace/solace/closeness/kindness in the company of yeiyo-kiti.√1 There were many cousins, mothers and
other relatives from whom they were happy to draw a lot of domestic and cultural knowledge √
c) Visitors and relatives are received warmly/hospitably/by the family and community.√1a. Women’s duties
are shared progressively in all houses.√1b. Women in confinement are preferentially/specially treated (as
they have near permanent assistants) √1c. Administration of the homestead is in the hands of the first wife√1.
Men take the responsibility of marshalling/organizing/consolidating property or providing economic needs of
the home.√1e. Marking Instructions Count up to 50 words. Answer should be in continuous prose. If in note
form, penalize by 50% at every correct point and affix N on the penalized mark. Penalize by a glimmer for a
faulty expression once in a sentence.
d) The use of a metaphor “…they streamed into Simiren’s homestead…” √1 neighbours came in large/ great/
huge numbers√1. This reinforces the strong cultural aspect of Nasila hospitality.√1 The use of reminiscence
“…and like the first day when they arrived into Nasila.” √1. This is used to build the nostalgia in the girls’
experience.√1 the girls remember with fond memories how they were received, thus a repeat would be
comforting√1 The use of contrast “…This sharply contrasted with the gloomy atmosphere...behind”√1. They
left home crestfallen/confused but they are now basking in bouts of joy √1. Contrast is used as a relief for the
audience (and the girls) for they feel at ease after the tension at Ole Kaelo’s home√1.
e) Simiren is polygamous√1 He has a vast estate/is enterprising, (according to Nasila standards.)√1 He is
hospitable/ loves to host people/relatives in his home.√1 He loves peace.√1
f) They learned about selflessness. They learned that to fit into their uncle’s home, one had to be selfless/
everything was shared√1 They learned cultural education/ the value system was handed down from one
generation to another. They were enlightened about Minik-ene Nkoitoi (Emakererei) and her success/ glad to
learn that she was close to yeiyo-kiti√1
g) It was the same bedroom that they occupied and the same comfortable and warm bed that they slept in.√1
h) (i) closeness/ kinship/ family connection.√1 (ii) weakened.√1 (iii) friendly.√1 3.

LANET JOINT

(a) Briefly discuss the events leading to Resian’s question “Who?” in the excerpt. (5marks)

i)Resian observes that there is rivalry in their uncle’s four houses.

ii) Taiyo rebukes her sister for thinking so.
iii) Resian also observes that her two aunts are expectant and thinks at that rate there would be many children
born.
iv) Taiyo says a parent can have as many children as they can.
v) Taiyo then tells her that when Resian’s time comes she will have children.

(b) "Thank God his intention was not to rape us," Resian said tears streaming down her face. "We would have
been helpless in the hands of such a brute."

Rewrite as a reported speech (1mark)

Resian said with tears streaming down her face that they should thank God that his intention was not to rape
them and that they would have been helpless in the hands of such a brute.
(c) Describe two similar traits demonstrated by both Resian Taiyo in the excerpt.(4marks)
  Bold/ Daring. Boldly demand the young man carrying knobkerrie to let go Taiyo’s hands.

 Intelligent. Both girls understand that their father would not empathize with them unlike their mother.

(d) Discuss two stylistic devices used by the author in the excerpt. (4marks)

 Local dialect.

 Dialogue

(ACCEPT ANY OTHER PLAUSIBLE ANSWER WITH ILLUSTRATIONS)

(e) Highlight two themes presented in the excerpt. (4marks)

-Female assertiveness. Both Resian and Taiyo are bold enough to confront the man with knobkerrie.

-Determination. Resian is determined to study and obtain her degree.

(ACCEPT ANY OTHER PLAUSIBLE ANSWER WITH ILLUSTRATIONS)

(f)“But judging from past experience, their father would be less supportive.” Point out two incidences in which
the father shows less support to his daughters from what happens in the rest of the novel. (2marks)

 He stubbornly denies his daughters a chance to study at the university.

 He denies Taiyo permission to travel to Mombasa with other young men and women to attend an
extravaganza

(f) What happens immediately after this excerpt? (2marks)

 Resian’s father finishes supervising the offloading of the furniture and other things into the house.

 He sets out pay his old friend a visit.

(g) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt. (3marks)

i. Vehemently……. passionately/ fervently

ii. Accosted……. confronted/ approached
iii. Ilk………type

MERU CENTRAL

a) Before: Ole Kaelo had woken up his wife in the morning after the homecoming ceremony asking her if she
was aware of what the culture they had been ushered to demanded of them. 1mk She tells him that she
understands but proposes that they think about the interests of the family first. 1mk
After: Mama Milanoi decides to play along with her husband’s demands since she knew there was no room for
her to dissent. 1mk She decides to broach the subject of F.G.M with the daughters to see how much they
knew about it. 1mk
b) She is regarded so since she criticised and campaigned against girl’s circumcision and early marriage,
traditional practices that Nasila people valued. (2 marks)
c) She is submissive/obedient 1mk –this is seen from the fact that she was a faithful and obedient wife to Ole
Kaelo as said in the excerpt. We see she could not dissent with him even when she does not support his
proposal that the girls be prepared for circumcision. 1mk
She is informed – she knows so much about Minik ene Nkoitoi including her education background and even
the different views that the people held about her. 1mk – she also knows her age and occupation. 1mk “At
thirty, she was already managing an expansive government sheep ranch.”
d)
  Place of women in society – 1 mk The society presented expects women to be submissive by being faithful
and obedient to their husbands as is the case with mama Milanoi – 1mk
 Conflict – 1mk The writer tells us that Minik ene Nkoitoi campaign against girl’s circumcision and early
marriages had put her in direct collision with the Nasila people. 1mk
 Traditions – 1mk We see that people of Nasila practise female circumcision and early marriages, which is
why Emakererei is despised for campaigning against them. Ole Kaelo asks his wife to start counselling the
girls in readiness for circumcision. 1mk
e) He asked her what she meant/ Ole Kaelo asked his wife what she meant. 1 mark
f)
- Geographical allusion 1mk – Minik had attended Makerere University in Uganda. This allusion makes the
story authentic and believable. 1mk
- Dialogue 1mk – there is dialogue between Mama Milanoi and Ole Kaelo as they discuss the way forward for
their daughters. This makjes the story realistic and helps in displaying the traits of the speakers. 1mk
- Rhetorical questions 1mk – “Who would side with her if she were to oppose the cultural rituals?” It brings
out the turmoil that Mama Milanoi is going through. 1mk
g) The mood is uncertain, pensive and fearful. 1mk – Mama Milanoi wants to help her daughters but she is
afraid of the repercussions. 1mk
h)
i. Regretfully 1mk
ii. Scornfully 1mk
iii. Extremely wicked/evil person 1mk

Highly offensive 1mk

BUNAMFAN PRE MOCK

a) What happens after this excerpt? (2mks)

Mama Milanoi wondered how they would have handled the question of Resian’s circumcision. She also
wondered how Oloisudori would react when Resian rebuffed him. She feared for her daughter’s life.
b) How could the culture, Mama Milanoi is thinking about, come to her rescue in her current predicament
basing your answer from elsewhere in the text? (4mks)
Culture would not have allowed Oloisudori, who was the age of her husband, be her son-in-law1. She
would have appealed to the elders court which certainly would have ruled her husband out of order
and possibly fined him together with his purported son-in-law1. Culture-abusers and their
collaborators would have been shamed through a public rebuke and a cleansing ceremony1. Also,
culture gave her room to call for mass action which was swift, vindictive and decisive1.

c) Explain the relationship between the current state of the Nasila river and the Nasilian culture
4mks
Both the Nasila river and Nasilian culture have been polluted2. Mama Milanoi says that the water was
no longer the water she drew when she was a little girl…the water had been polluted1. And so was
Nasila culture…it was now defiled and polluted by the likes of Oloisudori1.
d) Explain one way the Kaelo family find themselves at odds with the Nasilian culture. 2mks
-the Intoiye nemengalana status of ole Kaelo’s daughters, Resian and Taiyo1. The girls had delayed in
undergoing the circumcision against the society’s expectation1.
-Ole Kaelo’s monogamous marriage1.
e) What do we learn about Resian from this excerpt? 2mks
-Assertive/Self-assured/Confident/Bold – no amount of intimidation or threats could easily break her/she
knew her rights
-Independent-minded – she had an independent mind and was not easy to handle.
f)Explain the major issue emerging from this excerpt? 2mks
Change - But Nasila water was no longer the water she drew when she was a little girl. / Yes, change was
creeping in. Her daughters were different. They had gone through a school system that intermingled
them with children from other cultures
g) What is the prevailing mood in this excerpt? 2mks
 Melancholic - It would not be long, Mama Milanoi reasoned sorrowfully, before the life-giving water of
Nasila began to sicken and kill./ Her daughter Resian, Mama Milanoi thought sadly, as she turned
once more on her bed, was a hard nut to crack
h) Illustrate two stylistic devices evident in this excerpt. 4mks

Idiomatic Expression - Her daughter Resian… was a hard nut to crack

Rhetorical questions - Was there no one to tame the likes of Oloisudori?
i)From your understanding of the entire text, explain and illustrate one way the Nasilian culture defines
relationships. 2mks
It dictates who one could marry and not marry. Taiyo is offended that she could not be in a relationship
with Joseph Parmuat because they are from the same clan.
j)In those days the water was so clean and clear that the pebbles on the riverbed were visible.

(Rewrite the sentence starting with; So…) 1mk

So clean and clear was the water that the pebbles on the riverbed were visible.

EMBU
(a) - That Joseph Parmuat was their brother/they all belonged to the same clan and
sub- clan. (1mk)
- It was important that they learnt the habits, traditions and the culture of Nasila
(1mk)
- He considered the girls intelligent. (1mk)
- He warned them of some cultural demands that they would find unpleasant and
offensive. (1mk)
- That these unpleasant traditions nurture and bound the Nasalia people together
- Families that refused to rejoin their people had been destroyed by alien
cultures.(1mk)
(Any 3 points 1mk @ = 3 marks

(b) - The origin of FGM – that it was initiated by women themselves about 200 years
earlier as a result of sexual abuse and harassment by Olarinkoi and his worriers.
(2mks)
- The kinds of loves that young people in Nasila were involved in-the elangatare
which was a competitive love and patureishi which was a platonic love. (2mks)

(c) - Love and friendship (1mk) – Taiyo is strongly attracted to Joseph Parmuat and
considers him a close confidant. (1mk)

- Tradition/culture (1mk) – Joseph Parmuat is related to the girls through cultural

links/the girls are to undergo a cultural coaching. (1mks)

- Conflict/antagonism (1mk) – Resian is opposed to her father’s idea of having

Them undergo cultural coaching.

(d) - Amenable/agreeable(1mk) – She readily agrees with her father’s idea of having
Parmuat train them about Nasilian Culture. (1mk)

- Loving/caring (1mk) – She tries to soothe her sister’s anger (1mk)

 (Identification = 1 mark; illustration = 1 marks)

(e) - Scornful/contemptuous/defiant/rebellious (2mks) - She scornfully dismissed the

cultural coaching that Joseph Parmuat was to undertake as worthless. (1mk)

(f) - Dialogue/direct speech – Resian holds a conversation with her sister Taiyo.
- Local dialect – enkamuratani.
- Sarcasm – “Wiser indeed,” jeered Resian
- Imagery (simile) – “she likened the whole saga to a grown up……”
(identification = 1 mark; illustration = 1mark)
(g) The process of the cultural practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) (1mk)

(h) – Wore blank faces – were expressionless/were impassive/were straights faced. (1mk)
- Simmer down – calm/cool down (1mk)
- Ire – anger/rage/fury/wrath (1mk)
- Mollify – calm/soothe (1mk)