A little bit of hip swaying, waist gyrating, and involuntary butt movements—that’s the essence of the Borborbor’ dance, a captivating blend of rhythm and motion. Not a dance for those with stiff hips or ‘waist problems,’ Borborbor demands strong, flexible waists, stamina, and well-developed gluteal muscles. Essentially, those adept at Borborbor can effortlessly transition to twerking.
Originating from the Ewe communities in Ghana’s central and northern Volta Region, Borborbor has drawn comparisons to modern twerking. Once known as ‘Akpese,’ this dance was originally confined to the ‘Ewedome’ belt, including areas like Kpando, Hohoe, and Ho, before spreading to Ewe-speaking communities in Togo and Benin.
Why is it called the indigenous twerk dance? Similar to twerking, Borborbor involves rhythmic leg bending and straightening, accentuating the buttocks with each movement. The knees bend in time with the music, the hips sway, and the ‘booty’ wiggles effortlessly. Like twerking, the focus is primarily on the lower body, with minimal upper body involvement, allowing for sexually suggestive gestures. However, this sensuality sometimes clashes with Borborbor’s traditional contexts, especially since it is often performed to gospel music, even in 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, leading to disapproval. During a 2022 durbar at Anfoega Akukome, the Paramount Chief of Anfoega Traditional Area, Togbe Tepreh Hodo IV, halted what he deemed a profane Borborbor performance. His public reprimand underscored the community’s rejection of indecency in the dance, garnering widespread support from attendees.
Beyond the Controversy: Health Benefits of the Borborbor Dance
Despite occasional controversies, Borborbor is a conduit for cultural celebration and physical well-being. Engaging in this lively dance offers numerous health benefits:
Weight Loss: Borborbor can be an effective way to burn calories and lose weight, helping maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity.
Cardiovascular Exercise: This high-energy dance provides a good cardiovascular workout, improving heart health and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Stress Relief: Dancing can be a fun and enjoyable way to relieve stress and improve mental health. Borborbor’s energetic and joyful nature makes it especially beneficial for stress relief.
Improved Balance and Coordination: The dance requires coordination and balance, which can improve over time with practice.
Socialization: Often performed in groups, Borborbor provides opportunities for socialization and connection, beneficial for mental well-being and overall happiness.
The Borborbor Sound and Its Origins
Accompanied by rhythmic drumming, vocal harmonies, and trumpet melodies, Borborbor originated in the village of Wusuta along Volta Lake in the 1940s. Francis Nuatro, a respected ex-police officer from Kpando, is credited with creating Borborbor by blending traditional ‘Konkoma’ rhythms with various musical genres. This innovation birthed a musical legacy characterized by castanets, rattles, and drums, evolving to incorporate rhymes and highlife elements. Today, Borborbor performances grace occasions such as funerals, festivals, weddings, and church ceremonies, uniting communities in celebration of their cultural heritage.
Watch video below:
Posts
0 Comments