In her thought-provoking debut, "Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow", Damilare Kuku sheds light on the intricate web of beauty, identity, and trauma that shapes women's lives. Through the eyes of protagonist Temi, Kuku masterfully exposes the damaging effects of societal pressures and the often-devastating pursuit of an unattainable beauty standard.
With wit and humour, Kuku skillfully navigates the complex world of body image, revealing the astonishing lengths women will go to achieve perfection. This powerful exploration lays bare the underlying layers of unresolved trauma, self-doubt, and cultural expectations that define women's relationships with their bodies.
GLAMOUR caught up with Damilare Kuku to discuss her book, the inspiration behind it, and the importance of sparking conversations around beauty, identity, and mental health.
How did the idea of writing ‘Ony Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow’ formulate?
Only Big Bum-Bum Matters tomorrow is based on something that happened to someone I love, who had been bullied online for years. I wanted to write a love letter to her and to the people in the world that are doing unnecessarily things to their bodies.
The title grabs the reader’s attention immediately, how did you come up with it, and did you have any alternatives?
No, once I know what I want to title my book. I don't have an option or a backup title. I am a very religious person , I lean exclusively on the Holy Spirit to help me, I treat God like my friend - I come to him and that's where I get my inspiration from.
I went from Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad to Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow, I was a bit sceptical about it, and I was right to be sceptical because by the time it was announced, it became such a huge deal on social media, and everybody came for me but my supporters remained loyal.
The tittle was also inspired by the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement ,while black lives mattered in America, only big bum bums mattered in Nigeria. The tomorrow aspect represents the future.
Take us through your research, plotting and character development, and some of the challenges you went through while writing the novel?
I've been researching the book for 10 years because this has been my reality. Living in Nigeria the research is in my face. I could see a friend today and three months later they have gotten fat around their hips.
One of the challenge was writing about Tito, I realised that, the Tito I based the character about in my own life would eventually have to die someday - So it felt like I was mourning him as well.
In the book you referenced Nigerian street food that outsiders might not be familiar with, like ‘Donkwa’,was there a specific emotional setting you wanted to highlight?
Yes! we're very big on food in Nigeria. We don't just eat, we think food is a love language. I also wanted to transfer some of the things I personally like into the book, Donkwa is my favourite childhood Hausa snack, its made of groundnut and other ingredients.
Looking at some of the characters in the book, Barrister had a hypocritical outlook at the outside world. Do you think his sentiments speak volume to our reality?
Yes I do.I think it's easier to not feel someone's story until it happens to you. Barrister wanted to completely remove himself from the issue at hand, and vowed to keep his daughter away from Temi. With his character I wanted to show the hypocrisy of how people who judge the most also have their own skeletons.
Temi was exposed to a lot of body shaming at an early age and that played a role in her wanting to enlarge her butt , How do you think the pressure of society impacts young people's self-esteem and body confidence?
I think almost all of us get bullied, and those experiences follow us to adulthood and become something extreme if not attended sooner as we saw with Temi. I also think people’s perception for beauty has become harsher. There's so much expectations to be called beautiful. People expect a lot from you - don't be fat but don't be skinny - don't be too tall but don't be short. Society has put so much pressure on us, and what has been termed as beautiful has become unattainable and only attainable under the knife.
Were you intentional about writing the book with a little bit of humour ?
I wasn't intentional, but I do know humour is the best and easier way to have difficult conversations and I've always leaned towards comedy. I like the fact that I can talk about something serious and still find a way to laugh about it. Life is so hard so when we have moments to talk or pick up books (this is not to say other writers can't write what they like) you must know with a Damilare Kuku book you’re in for a good time - it may be a bit heavy but you’re going to have fun.
How can ‘Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow“ contribute to a larger conversation about body image?
I think by people reading the book first and put it into circulation for young girls.I genuinely wrote this book hoping and praying that it goes and ends up in every home, starting in Africa. I want Bum Bum to go into every home, be read by people and their daughters that are young enough to understand that this is not the right way
What is your personal link to the female characters and their experiences in the book?
I know these women, I’ve met them, I’ve discussed and experienced them. Society has made it possible for me to meet these women. As I have more conversation about Bum Bum, I am starting to see that we are not alone in our struggles, and we can come together and not allow society to determine how we feel about our bodies or what is expected out of us, and just choose to love ourselves.
Any possibility of a sequel for Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow?
I don’t know if there will be a sequel, I am not sure - but there is a third book on the way, I can't really talk about it but its in the works and hopefully will come out very soon.
Quick Fire Questions
Do you remember the first book that made you want to write?
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
What is the best writing advice you've ever received?
Don't throw away the words you don't like, Keep them somewhere in your files.
What is your most memorable fan moment
The most memorable fan moment right now was at the Open Book Festival when a fan cried while talking about how she also has toxic family members. But to be fair all the people that support me leave a mark.
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