This is how the tale of a schoolchild named Isenguye plays out.
Isenguye is the main protagonist in the fictional book titled ‘My BIG name’, a book that describes her journey to understanding the beauty, meaning, and power of her first name.
The book was written by 21-year-old entrepreneur and activist Amonge Sinxoto, with illustrator Lebogang Sekwelenkwe providing the artwork.
The story tells of how Isenguye learns of her superpowers, accessible through her name because it gives her (and her school friends) a sense of self, power, and pride against the main antagonist in the tale.
Sinxoto said that ‘My BIG name’ would feel relatable to Africans who have had their names and surnames mispronounced in their own experiences.
“When I was thinking about writing a children’s book, the topic just made sense. Especially on the issues that the book discusses, around the power that lies within your name and consequently your African identity,” Sinxoto said.
In writing the book, she mainly focused on primary school children (aged 7-11) who grow up to understand the meaning of their names while attending school.
Sinxoto said that the book was a unique project for her to complete because of how Isenguye’s story mirrored the experience of Sinxoto’s younger sister — who the main character is named after.
