FACULTY: ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT: ENGLISH LITERATURE, JOURNALISM AND
MASS COMMUNICATION
COURSE CODE: JMC1240
COURSE TITLE: JOURNALISTIC LANGUAGE
GROUP NAME: THE SUPERNOVAS
TASK: BAMBOO HUT PLOT
PRESENTED TO: MRS ELIZABETH WEKESA
GROUP MEMBERS:
REG NO NAME SIGN
1. BJM/0025/23 BENJAMIN KYALO …………………
2. BJM/0046/23 E. JOAN ODHIAMBO …………………
3. BJM/0049/23 SALASIA FELIX ………………...
4. BJM/0110/23 KENNEDY KHISA ………………...
5. BJM/0115/23 LAVIN MUDIOVO ………………...
6. BJM/0132/23 BILHA OLARO ………………..
7. BJM/0158/23 M. LEON NASIMIYU ………………..
THE BAMBOO HUT PLOT
A plot refers to a sequence of events that make up a story, including the exposition, rising
action, climax, falling action and resolution.
It is the narrative structure that drives the story line forward, creating tension, conflict and
resolution.
EXPOSITION
This is the beginning of a story where the characters, setting and initial situation are
introduced. The exposition sets the stage by providing background information to understand
the context of the story.
Example;
The setting of the Bamboo hut by Grace Ogot is around the Lake Victoria region and the
characters like Chief Mboga, his family, the Kadibo people are mentioned at the beginning of
the story.
The current situation of the story is also revealed to be Chief Mboga’s desire to have a son.
RISING ACTION
In this phase the main conflict or problem becomes more complicated. Events occur that
heightens tension and build suspense, leading the story towards its climax.
It typically involves a series of escalating events that intensify the central conflict keeping the
audience engaged and invested in the outcome.
Example;
Being that Chief Mboga had waited to have a son for twelve years, his youngest wife
Achieng’ who happened to deliver twins; a girl and a boy abandons her daughter by the well
where she had given birth so as to give the chief nothing but a son.
CLIMAX
This is the turning point of the story and the moment of greatest tension and drama. It is often
emotionally or intellectually impactful and represents the point of no return for the characters.
Example;
Years later Chief Mboga happens to go on a nature walk and meets the girl called Awiti who
happens to be her daughter but at this point he is not aware of this truth. His fondness towards
Awiti pushes him to recommend her to his son Owiny as a suitable wife. However this fails
to happen as the truth about the girl slowly but not entirely unfolds.
FALLING ACTION
In this stage the tension begins to decrease as the consequences of the climax unfolds. Loose
ends are tied up and the story moves towards resolution. Characters experience moments of
reflection, reconciliation or transformation as they deal with the aftermath of the climax.
The falling action provides closure to the main storyline and sets the stage for the resolution.
Example;
From the background search done on Awiti by Chief Mbogas’ messengers, Achieng’
connects the dots and the true identity of Awiti becomes clear to her.
Owiny on the other hand who was clueless that the girl he had so much desired to marry was
his sister forsakes the beaded stool for this course. The broken relationship and trust between
father and son leaves Achieng’ with no option but to reveal the true identity of Awiti.
RESOLUTION
This is the final part of the plot where the story’s conflict are resolved and any remaining
questions or uncertainties are addressed.
It brings a sense of closure to the narrative by revealing the outcome of the central conflict
and showing how the characters have changed or grown as a result of their experiences.
Example;
Chief Mboga does not send Achieng’ away for the taboo she had commited when she
abandoned her young daughter but rather he forgives her, sends her to tell Owiti the truth and
throws a celebration to thank the ancestors for the return of his Awiti.
PLOT
Chief Mboga goes to the foot of the sacred Hill of Ramogi where his forefathers from time
immemorial worshipped god, to make a final plea on the sacred spot and pray for a son, an
heir to the beaded stool of the Kadibo people. He returns home afterwards where his sixteen
daughters were busy helping their mothers prepare the evening meal. He shakes at the
thought that someday all his girls would leave the homestead and he would have no one to
comfort him in his old age.
Agiso one of the chief’s daughters, snaps at her mother Achieng’ for not willing to convince
the chief to allow them live in the bamboo hut which had an inner chamber, bamboo beds and
beaded stools. The bamboo hut stood next to the chief’s large hut. Achieng’ who is expecting
her second child after an interval of seven years is reminded of the chief’s promise to gift the
bamboo hut to any of his nine wives who would bear him a son.
Unknown to anybody she is carrying twins and two months after Mboga’s visit to the sacred
hill, she gives birth while at the well. She is disappointed when she gives birth to a baby girl
at first but her disappointment is not long lived because she goes into labour for the second
time and this time the baby is a boy. Overjoyed and with the desire to give her husband
nothing but a son, she abandons ‘Apiyo’ the baby girl by the well.
She returns home unnoticed and the important news is conveyed to Chief Mboga by his elder
wife. The chief’s drum booms four times to announce the birth of the baby boy and the
family rejoices. Four days later at the naming ceremony the chief names his son ‘Owiny’
after the second son of Ramogi. On that same day Achieng’ and Agiso move to the bamboo
hut where they were to bring up Owiny heir to Mboga’s beaded stool.
Six days after her delivery, Achieng’ who is in distress because of what she had done goes to
the well to bathe herself after confinement and finds nothing at the spot where she had
abandoned her daughter. She experiences a range of thoughts and even visions about her lost
daughter and for years she is miserable and not even her privileged position among the
chief’s wives nor the future prospects of her son gives her comfort.
One afternoon the chief encounters a girl who impresses him with her bravery and he wishes
that his son marries her. Owiny too is impressed by the girl and he learns that her name was
Awiti. However the protocol of marriage in a chief’s home has to be followed, so the chief
sends his messengers to investigate Awiti’s background. It turns out that nobody knew her
parents because her foster mother, the elder wife of Owuor Chilo who was the clan elder of
Usigu had found her abandoned by the well after birth. The right decision is reached at the
chief’s home; his son could not marry a woman of unknown parentage.
Owiny would have none of this and vows to marry none other but Awiti. Achieng’ is tortured
by the fact that Awiti’s story matched that of the child she had abandoned by the well and she
is left with no choice but to tell the truth. The chief has a moral obligation to send her away
for the wrong she had done for it was a taboo to throw a newborn child and she therefore was
not worthy of being the chief’s wife, but he chooses not to and instead sends her to tell
Owiny about her sister and organizes a celebration to thank ancestor Ramogi.
