Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 20:18:21 -0400

From: Toni Buzzeo buzzeocyll[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MIX-NET.NET

Subject: QUERY



I posted a private email to Natalie who graciously suggested that I post the

query to this list as well. As I am not a list subscriber, I would ask

anyone who has an answer to my question to please respond privately to my

email address.



I am a children's author living and writing in Maine. My current project is

a picture book that revolves around varying tooth loss rituals from around

the world. The grandmother of each of my protagonist's friends tells her

the ritual from her country or region of origin. The children address the

Taiwanese Grandmother as Ah-ma, the German Grandmother as Oma, etc. My

question is this. Is there a common form of address among Southern African

Americans for Grandmother? Someone has suggested Big Ma and someone else

Grandmary, but I have had no confirmation of either. Do any of you know if

there is a colloquial form of address?



Thank you for any help you can offer.



Toni Buzzeo

buzzeocyll[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]mix-net.net