Blossoms of the Savannah

• Jane “Mama” Milanoi

Mama Milanoi is a character who struggles to reconcile her modern ideals with the cultural expectations for Maa women. After moving to Nasila, she takes on the role of a traditional Nasila woman by setting aside her belief in women's rights and her opposition to arranged marriage.

• Parsimei Ole Kaelo

Ole Kaelo is the father of Resian and Taiyo and husband of Mama Milanoi. He left the village of Nasila roughly twenty years ago to work at Agribix Ltd., where he worked for two decades before he was fired.

Ole Kaelo's relationship with his daughters is complicated. He loves and supports Taiyo unconditionally, but resents Resian for robbing him of a male heir.

• Taiyo

Taiyo is the eldest and is adored by her father. Consequently, Taiyo is also more obedient and more forgiving of Kaelo's actions. After moving to Nasila, Taiyo falls in love with Joseph Parmuat, but cannot marry him because he is from the same clan.

When faced with the decision of whether to marry Oloisudori and follow her father's wishes, she ultimately runs away to join Resian. Taiyo's choice comes at a steep price—the life of Joseph.

• Resian

Resian emerges as the hero of the novel. She opposes circumcision (FGM) despite pushback from her mother and aunts. From the beginning of the novel, she wants to attend Egerton University to pursue her education. Resian is stubborn, strong-willed, and courageous.

When she is almost raped, she fights back. When she cannot convince her parents to stop an arranged marriage to a criminal, who is old enough to be her father, she runs away.

• Simiren

traditional, respectful