The Kikongo word nommo means “word.” In the Congo, everything is asleep until it is given a word. It is not alive until it has been given a name, not even a newborn baby. The idea is that when something is named, it exists. It applies to humans, animals, quality of being, place and time. Adah explains this concept to her twin sister and herself to better understand herself and her twin sister. Even though they are twins and look very identical, they are very different from one another. The name resembles the one living the life. Adah’s Kikongo name is Mvula which refers to her pale skin. Rachael’s Kikongo name is Benduka which refers to her handicap. “Nommu” means word and and it lets things live as they are while “muntu” means anything that
