big mama

[keannu]

Some of it belonged to Stacey, Christopher, and John,not to mention the part that belonged to big mama and mama. However, papa never divided the land in his mind; it was simply the land of our family. For it, (b) he would work the long, hot summer pounding steel; mama would teach and run the farm; and big mama, in her sixties,would work like a woman in her twenties in the cotton fields and keep the house; but always, the taxes would be paid. Papa said that one day I would understand.

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Does "big mama" mean "grandmother"?

 

[bhaisahab]

It seems so.

 

[keannu]

What does it normally mean?

 

[MikeNewYork]

In AmE, "big mama" can refer to a large-framed and/or overweight woman. It also can describe a woman who is in charge of something.

 

[keannu]

Do you think it means grandma here?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes. Grandma may be the matriarch of the family.