Entertainment of Thursday, 6 June 2024
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
A GhanaWeb feature by Elsie Lamar
A little bit of hip sways and waist gyrations and the involuntary movement of the butt here and there.
That's a depiction of the 'Borborbor' dance that embodies a unique blend of rhythm and motion.
Obviously not a dance for people with ‘waist problems’ or stiff hips, particularly because mastering the Borborbor requires strong flexible waists, stamina, and thick gluteal muscles.
In essence, those who do a great job at performing 'Borborbor' can effortlessly transition into the realm of twerking.
Originating from the Ewe communities of Ghana's central and northern Volta Region, the Borborbor dance has garnered comparisons to the modern-day twerk dance.
Formerly referred to as 'Akpese,' this cultural expression was initially confined to the 'Ewedome' belt, encompassing locales such as Kpando, Hohoe, and Ho, before spreading across Ewe-speaking communities in Togo and Benin.
Why is it termed as the indigenous twerk dance?
Like the twerk dance, 'Borborbor' entails a rhythmic bending and straightening of the legs, accentuating the popping of the buttocks with each movement.
While synchronizing knee bends with the music and swaying the hips, the ‘booty’ wiggles effortlessly.
Much like twerking, the focus remains primarily on the lower body, with minimal upper body involvement, facilitating the integration of sexually suggestive gestures.
However, the overtly sensual nature of 'Borborbor' sometimes clashes with its traditional contexts, particularly because it is often performed to gospel tunes, even within church settings.
A chief's stance against the 'twerk-like' 'Borborbor dance
Performing sexually suggestive moves at formal events contradicts the dance's intended purpose, thereby leading to instances of disapproval, as evidenced by the intervention of a chief during a 'Borborbor' performance.
During a durbar at Anfoega Akukome sometime in 2022, the Paramount Chief of Anfoega Traditional Area, Togbe Tepreh Hodo IV, intervened and halted what he deemed a profane 'Borborbor' performance.
His public reprimand underscored the community's rejection of dances veering towards indecency, garnering widespread support and applause from attendees.