Books A Girl Is A Body of Water  by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (Author)

"A Girl Is A Body of Water" by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi is a multi-generational saga centered around Kirabo, a twelve-year-old Ugandan girl living in rural Nattetta during the 1970s. The novel begins with Kirabo grappling with the mystery of her mother, who left her as an infant, and the supernatural experience of feeling as if she has two selves—one that can fly out of her body. To understand this, she seeks the help of Nsuuta, a local "witch" and her grandmother’s adversary, who reveals that Kirabo carries "the first woman" within her, a symbol of bold, independent womanhood that society has suppressed.

The narrative weaves through Kirabo’s passage to womanhood amid social taboos and familial secrets, exploring themes such as colonialism, polygamy, clan systems, skin bleaching, and trafficking. It also delves deeply into female friendships, reflecting both solidarity and rivalry under patriarchal pressure. The story unfolds in parts, shifting between Kirabo’s present, her grandmother's youth, and backstories revealing women’s resilience and struggles across time.