2. Kariankei Ole Sururu
The character Kariankei Ole Sururu is the father of the main character Lerionka. He can be described as Arrogant, proud and discipline. In the story, he
is seen with his two sticks one long and one short and he is seen chewing tobacco. Kariankei has three brothers Olodi, Leperes and Pesi. Leperes stays in Osupuko
and Pesi stays in Ingoosnani. His clan is called Ilmolelian.It is the clan with goats of the same color with spots on their sides. He is also proud of his own clan and
consider it as one of the strongest clan in the Maasailand.
a. Arrogant
Kariankei is considered arrogant, compare to other Maasai in his village he is the most
arrogant one. He cares little of other people‟s opinion like when Lerionka tried to explain that he should go to school otherwise the Government
will take away the cattles. „Why? Where will they go?‟ he asked quickly
„The askaris will come and take them.‟ „I know but let us hope they will not take all of them and-„
„And they may take you as well,‟ I added, „What is wrong with today‟s children is that they know too much. Let me
tell you, I do not want your knowledge at all. I want you to follow this way of life.....p. 38.
In the above quotation tells us that Kariankei does not want to hear what
his son Lerionka have to say concerning the matter of him going to school. The law clearly state that every family must send one of their son to school, fail to do
so the families cattles will be taken away from them. This is what Lerionka is trying to avoid but Kariankei
chose to ignore it. Kariankei‟s characteristic is based
on the characteristic of Maasai society, according to Tepilit Ol e Saitoti‟s book The
Worlds of a Maasai: An Autobiography states Maasai warriors are known for their arrogance. If the white man had hit
the warrior the latter would have killed him there and then. People were afraid of what might happen. The warrior said,
“Mikiwosh ake aluayoni lengare
” “You‟ll be sorry if you hit me, you water youth”. The white man, sensing the warrio
r‟s seriousness, simply ordered him to leave, which the warrior did proudly.p.34
In the above quotation it shows clearly that Maasai warrior are arrogant,
they show little though to other people. They are proud warriors and pay less attention to other people. Especially towards the white man, the Maasai warrior
can eventually kill a white man if they were being cornerd. Maasai warrior known to be arrogant is for their status as a warrior, they show essence of superiority.
Their status as warrior makes them having a high position, the white man dare not to challenge the Maasai warrior to a fight. The same goes to Kariankei, he is a
famous warrior and pays less attention to what his son Lerionka have in mind.
b. Proud
In the beginning of the story Kariankei is seen with his son Lerionka. They are talking about continuning Sururu‟s legacy. Since Lerionka is Kariankei‟s
only son, so he should know his family especially Kariankei‟s. My name is Kariankei. My father‟s name is Ole Sururu. My age group
Iltalala called me Osokoni, meaning that my actions were bitter, like the fruits of the tree called osokoni. Yes, Osokoni, very bitter, I could
fight........ p. 3.
Kariankei is proud of his youth days, he seen to be feared among his own age group. Until he is given the name Osokoni, a name of a fruit which is bitter. It
Kategori