A Review of Damilare Kuku’s Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow

By Ilerioluwa Olatunde

I am going to get a Brazilian butt lift.

A what? You are going to Brazil?

I am adding fat to my buttocks, Màámi. — pg. 21.

I grew up with a slim body – an invisible waist, a long neck, pronounced collarbones that jutted out like the eyes of a dragonfly. Hence, I often heard comments like, “Don’t you eat?” or “Look at your collarbone!” Sometimes, people would jokingly suggest that my more endowed sister be generous to me. Naturally, this sparked an awareness of my physical appearance and influenced how I dressed for a while. It is sad to realize that most of us were body-shamed before we even understood the weight of those words.

While African literature is often associated with weighty themes, I appreciate how these creative works reflect our society, offering a mirror to everyday life. Damilare Kuku’s new novel explores many issues that are still prevalent in our society. Her debut novel focuses on women's experiences navigating the search for love and companionship in Nigeria’s vibrant city, Lagos. Her second novel continues to address issues surrounding women’s experiences, focusing this time on societal beauty standards and the expectations placed on women’s bodies.

Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow addresses the prevalent beauty culture today. Everybody wants to look a certain way and have a certain shape. Societal beauty standards play a significant role here and are widely promoted today through social media. We are constantly exposed to images and ads depicting a specific idea of beauty: slim waistlines and curvy figures, encouraging many to pursue this unrealistic standard of beauty.

Kuku’s novel opens with the most audacious declaration: “I plan to renovate my bumbum in Lagos, live there for some time, and hopefully meet the love of my life!” We are quickly introduced to Témì, a 20-year-old graduate of OAU living in Ilé-Ifẹ̀, Osun State. Témì dreams of moving to Lagos to undergo a Brazilian Butt Lift in Lekki, a cosmetic surgery procedure that involves transferring fat to the buttocks to enhance their shape and size. This determination stems from years of mockery about her supposedly 'flat' backside, highlighting the societal pressure to conform to a specific body image.

For centuries, society has celebrated women with fuller figures, creating a widespread desire for the so-called ‘perfect’ shape. This cultural preference has driven many to seek effective means of achieving what they believe to be their ideal body. For Témì, the belief that a butt lift is the key to her happiness is powerful and consuming. However, the boldest aspect of her plan is not the intention itself but when she reveals it—during the will reading of her recently deceased father. True to African family dynamics, her announcement shocks everyone, prompting reactions dramatic enough to deserve an Oscar. This scene reveals Damilare’s witty narrative style and comedic timing, capturing the complexities of family relationships and cultural expectations in a way that keeps readers entertained.

In Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow, Kuku addresses family dynamics, beauty standards, and societal expectations through the lens of various characters. The narrative begins with Témì’s voice, but as the story unfolds, we meet other family members, each offering unique insights into their lives and struggles. We hear from her half-Hausa, predominantly Yoruba mother, Hassana; her beautiful and troubled sister, Ladun, who has been away from home for five years; Hassana’s daring sister, Jummai; and Témì’s paternal aunt, “Big Mummy,” whose tireless quest for a husband has led her to skin bleaching products and spiritual retreats. Through these diverse voices, Kuku crafts a vivid depiction of a family navigating individual challenges and societal pressures.

The multiple viewpoints employed in the novel deepen our understanding of the main characters but also introduce numerous themes that are not fully explored, leading to occasional confusion. The narrative’s shifting perspectives, with some chapters written in the first person and others in the second, coupled with frequent time jumps between past and present, can make it challenging for readers to grasp the central plot. Perspectives from characters such as the lawyer and doctor were also unnecessary. Nevertheless, the curiosity surrounding each character compels readers to keep turning the pages.

Kuku’s writing style stands out as dramatic, witty, and authentic. The novel is unmistakably Nigerian, incorporating local phrases like "Màámi" and referencing significant cultural and historical events, such as the Modakeke-Ife conflict and the End SARS protests. Although primarily set in Lagos and Ilé-Ifẹ̀, the narrative pays homage to Ilé-Ifẹ̀, evoking nostalgia for those familiar with the well-known paths around OAU staff quarters, Mayfair, Modakeke, and the surrounding areas.

Right from the author's debut novel, one thing that remains evident is her talent for crafting compelling titles. The author’s understanding of a compelling title is distinct. Her chapter titles are also enticing, featuring witty and evocative phrases like " Témì is a Blackboard," "Jummai, The Big Mouth," and " Témì is also a Mopstick!" These titles cleverly blend humor with cultural relevance, showcasing the author’s flair for creativity and market appeal. With such skillful titling, she draws readers into the story, proving her ability to captivate with just a few clever words.

In Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow, Kuku highlights how our words can profoundly affect others, even when masked as harmless jokes. Through Kuku’s witty storytelling, readers are likely to laugh. Still, the humor is laced with the sadness of Temi’s experiences as a child—the teasing nicknames like “Témì Lepa Shandy” and “flat like a board” and her endless attempts to “get fat” around her backside. It’s especially unsettling because these remarks have haunted her from childhood, coming from people of all ages, even her classmates. This portrayal forces us to confront a critical question: who, ultimately, is responsible for this ingrained culture of body-shaming?

The novel explores body image by contrasting the experiences of those diminished for not meeting traditional beauty ideals, like Témì, with those, like Ládùn, who feel objectified for fitting those standards. Ládùn, who embodies the ideal beauty standard, struggles with unwanted male attention, causing her to resent her own body for the attraction it provokes. In contrast, Témì, overshadowed by her mother’s and sister’s curves, fails to recognize her beauty. This dynamic illustrates how societal beauty standards can leave women conflicted, regardless of where they fall on the beauty spectrum.

Additionally, the novel sheds light on the harassment women face solely because of their bodies. It brings to mind the voices of women in Lagos, speaking against the unsolicited touching and harassment women experience in one of the city’s busiest markets. This demand for respect underscores that women of all ages and appearances often experience violations of their personal space and dignity. Characters like Ládùn highlight the reality of constant objectification and the emotional toll such societal behavior inflicts on women.

Although Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow addresses crucial issues, certain inconsistencies disrupt the story’s flow. For instance, a young child's unexpected reason for rejecting Témì and his comment about his mother is bound to make you raise an eyebrow. The narrative sometimes feels rushed, particularly towards the conclusion, where the abrupt conclusion leaves several loose ends. I wish the book had focused more intensely on its central theme of oppressive beauty standards and how these standards influenced Témì's self-perception. I would have loved to read more about her journey in pursuing her body goals and see if she ultimately chose self-acceptance or underwent the operation and faced the consequences. This could have offered a richer exploration of body image struggles and how altering one’s appearance may not necessarily resolve underlying insecurities.

Although some aspects of the story could have been explored more deeply, Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow raises important questions about beauty ideals and societal expectations. More importantly, it serves as a gentle reminder that while people will always talk because that’s what people do, “we must all be stronger than the words people throw at us.”

Biography

Ilerioluwa Olatunde is a creative writer and book reviewer interested in fiction, creative nonfiction, and performance poetry. She recently tried her hands at business writing and finds it amusing. She is a fellow of Sprinng and Speakin' Fingers Academy. Her work, which focuses on book reviews, lifestyle, and the human condition, has been published on platforms such as Sprinng and Shuzia. She draws inspiration from the books she reads, societal and economic issues, her personal life, and her relationship with God.

She is also an Economic Research Analyst and enjoys volunteering. When she is not writing, she reads, listens to music, has fun in her head, or does research.