Funny how the title alone already had me intrigued. Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow? Talk about clickbait that hooks. But when I actually dived into the book by Damilare Kuku, I realized this wasn’t just another dramatic title, it’s a full-on mirror reflecting everything about femininity and body dysmorphia.
First off, I loved the point of view this story was written in. Not the usual “I want to enlarge my bumbum.” Nah. Damilare made it personal and served it as: “You want to enlarge your bumbum.” The you is doing a lot here. It’s almost like your own inner voice narrating your innermost desires and life choices in real-time.
Temilade Toyebi
Temi, the story's protagonist is a 20-year-old OAU recent graduate based in Ile-Ife. After starting a business and collecting some money from her dad, she was able to saved up to two million naira to get a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). For her, it is not about the aesthetics. It's about self-worth and finally being treated with respect in a society that equates body to beauty. After years of being overlooked by her crush for having a body similar to "mopstick" and being teased by everyone with names like "lepa shandy", her only solution is buying yansh with money, that is the only way she would gain some societal validation, or so she thought.
Hassana Toyebi (Temi's Mother)
Hassana, as a half-Hausa married to a Yoruba man, she's had to face judgement, not only from her husband's family but also from society. Her dyslexia forced her out of school before she could even graduate secondary school. In a beautiful irony though, her resilience and naturally beautiful features paved a way of acceptance for her in society. Hassana's character sheds light on the intensity of unspoken grief, familial love and how mothers were also once little girls, freshly navigating the terrains of adulthood themselves. They won't always get it right.
Tito Toyebi (Temi's Father)
This man is the definition of a supportive father and a loving husband. His deep affection for his wife, Hassana is made apparent from the start of their relationship to his final breath. Tito's character highlights how positive influence from a man portraying the role of a father and husband can help the family achieve unity, close bonds and stability. Unfortunately, his death was needed for a pivotal turn in the story as it led to characters development and secrets uncovered.
Ladun Toyebi (Temi's Sister)
Ladun is the physical representation of the societal beauty standards that Temi desires, but her life is far from enviable. Ladun often finds herself asking, "what is it about me that makes boys and even grown men objectify me?". At some point, I really hated her character. I judged her in fact. and to some extent, I still do. I hate the fact that she's self-centered, selfish and irrational. However, this character is a mirror of my past self, the self I had to make efforts to outgrow, which explains why I hated her so much. Emotions are indeed some of the hardest things about humanity, to control. And emotion such as anger, is such a raging fire, as it is portrayed in Ladun's silly decisions.
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There are so many other characters in the story. Like Big Mummy whose relentless pursuit for a husband led her down the path of spiritual consultation and skin-bleaching because according to the Alfa, "her skin is too dark, Good men wants light in their homes so she needs to become a light". This character explores the depth to which a woman can go to find her place, self-worth and some respect within society. There's also Boboola, whose character underscores the complexities of friendship and how loyalty and trust can be easily misplaced.
My Thoughts
If you’ve ever felt like one physical feature (or lack of it) was standing between you and the life you dream of, oh darling, you’ll see yourself in Temi. Temi’s decision to undergo cosmetic surgery might seem shallow to some, but when life keeps giving you “no” just because you don’t look a certain way, you start to wonder, “Maybe if I just fix this one thing, everything else will fall into place.”
And honestly? I get it. Fine girl privileges are real. Let’s not pretend. Pretty girls walk through doors that others have to knock on, probably twice. Whether it’s job interviews, social events, or even the way customer service reps treat you, beauty plays a role. And in Nigeria? Multiply that pressure by ten.
But here’s where we need the whole emotional and mental maturity thing to kick in. So that we can realize that beauty isn’t always about the bumbum or the hips or the perfect Instagram face card. You can actually love yourself into beauty.
Yes, you read that right.
Personally, I think, If you’re about to spend millions on cosmetic surgery, why not pause and ask yourself: “Could I invest this instead in skincare, good wigs, outfits that actually suit my body type?” Because darling, confidence will take you places curves can’t. When you walk like you own the ground, it compels people to believe you do.
That being said, I’m not anti-surgery. Lol, AT ALL. But don’t build your whole self-worth on a body part that could disappear or change with age. I've heard that some women even lose their "yansh" during pregnancy. If yansh is the foundation of your confidence, what happens when that foundation shifts?
Your beauty should be layered. Your intelligence, the way you carry conversations, your sense of humor, your energy because believe me, those things should shine brighter than your behind. And if anyone ever tells you you’re “too full of yourself,” please smile, tilt your head and ask, “Whose life should I be full of, if not mine?” LOL. Be the main character. Be the plot twist, the love interest, the fashion-forward CEO; all in one.
Because as Damilare Kuku has successfully highlighted in this story, there's more to YOU than your body, in which your "yansh" is only but a small part of.
Thank you for reading! 🧸🧡
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First Image is a screenshot from the book's softcopy on my phone
Second Image is generated from Meta AI
