How did you come up with the name Cay Cay’s World?
I must admit, I was really overthinking when I was looking for a name for my cartoons. I realized this is an attempt to give people a glimpse of her(my daughters) world and others. Also did I need something that the children could remember. A lot of people refer to her as ”Cay Cay” (pronounced: SySy). It was only logical for me at that time to give it the name Cay Cay’s World.
After seeing everything come together, getting a feel for what I want my characters to represent. I decided to change the name to ’Akwaaba Adwoa & Friends’. Akwaaba means ”Welcome” in the Ghanaian Twi dialect, by the Akan tribe of Ghana. Adwoa is a name that is given to females born on a Monday in Ghana.
My daughter was born on a Monday and this felt closer to home than her first name. My daughter’s name is Cayra (pronounced Sy-ih-rah) Anaiah Sage.
Where does Cay Cay come from?
Adwoa (Cay Cay) is a Ghanaian girl, both parents are from Ghana. The idea stems from my daughter.
You decided to tell a story based on 8 characters, why those 8 and why not more or less?
The reason why I chose to tell a story about these 8 characters is because in order to make this work to it’s best ability, I needed to start with what I know. I lived in the Netherlands for a majority of my life and was mostly surrounded by people from Suriname, Curacao, Ghana and Nigeria.
Besides, my mother is married to a Nigerian for 26 years now and my siblings are half Nigerian. I also felt it was important to choose from different parts of Africa and choose the countries I had been learning about prior to ’Akwaaba Adwoa & Friends’. These 8 will not only be a representation of themselves but also a voice for thei countries around their own individual countries.
“Representation matters!”
There are 52 countries in Africa why not tell a story of Africa in general?
You see, the beauty of Africa is that the differences somehow unite us. I would not do Africa or people from the Diaspora justice by generalizing everything and everybody. I made sure I chose countries that different countries in Africa can relate to.
As these characters grow they explore and learn about their neighboring countries. Africa is a continent that stands for strength, power, survival, wealth, traditions, beauty and much more. Now tell me what Justice would I do it and it’s descendants by generalizing Africa.
What are the storylines going to be about?
My stories are going to incorporate Nursery Rhymes in English, Dutch and most importantly the language from each characters’ country. They will not always be together in one episode. Everybody is going to be in the spotlight seperately.
We will also be learning some words from their own dialects. My intentions are not only to bring black excellence into our households but to also spark conversations between parents and kids. We usually leave our country, reside abroad and leave behind our childhood memories. It is okay to adapt, but even greater to instill a piece of themselves in their upbringing.
“It is time for children of color to grow up and have representations of themselves”
Why do you think it is important to make colored animations for kids?
Whenever I watch a kids channel I can usually count the amount of colored kids on one hand. The majority of TV characters is Caucasian and you would maybe see 2 or 3 colored children. Representation matters! As a kid I would see some toy commercials advertising extensions to add to your hair. This was not even avaiblable in my hair texture/color!
You will subconsciously develop a low self esteem. I started to believe that I was not that special enough to shown on TV. It is time for children of color to grow up and have representations of themselves, to know that they are a part of beauty standards, because that’s not for anyone to decide but them. Representation matters!
“I believe this will make a change Worldwide. “
How long will one episode be?
One episode will be about 12 minutes. The audience I am targetting are toddlers and it is advised for them to have about an hour screen time a day. 12 minutes is enough for kids to pick up on certain things and to give parents inspiration on how to incorporate what they have seen in a for examples with games.
Do you feel like making animations will make a change in Dutch society or more in African?
I believe this will make a change Worldwide. In the Dutch society it will most definitly make make an impact on children of color.
They will become more aware of themselves and most importantly they will be more confident! Living in The Netherlands can make you as a North-African, think that you are nothing but trouble. A country where blacks are being confronted with mockery of their whole being just to honor a country’s tradition that stands for oppression.
Our kids need to see and know that they too are an important part of society.
What do you think the stereotype of black people is in Holland?
Haven’t we heard enough? It is either lazy, loud or uneducated just to name a few. My goal is not about changing what the caucasian think or say about us. My goal is to make sure that whatever they do, think or say that we will not it our reality.
What do you think about an online magazine such as melaninwonder.com, is it needed?
First of all I commend you for creating such a platform. Of course it is needed. There can never be too much representation! I will be starting a crowdfunding soon and your magazine has already given me the opportunity to put myself out there. Thank you for sharing the same goal as I do.
