18 February 2008

Charlatans tarnish a celebration of big bottoms

A national dance craze in Ivory Coast has spawned a black market in treatments claiming to increase one's bottom size. The dance was inspired by a hit song by DJ Mix and DJ Eloh's Bobaraba, which means "big bottom" in the local Djoula language. It is a song guaranteed to fill any Ivorian dance with people shaking their booties.

While the dance has been embraced by both sexes, DJ Mix says it was inspired by women. "We made it as a tribute to women, because African women are defined by the shape of their bottoms," he says. "Move your bottom, jump, you see, it's alive."

Kady Meite, one of his dancers, says the song is a message for women."There are women today with large bottoms who are embarrassed, so it's to say don't be ashamed - be comfortable," she says.

The message seems to have been taken on board - so much so that some women are now going in search of a "bobaraba". In the sprawling Adjame market just north of the city centre in Abidjan, women sell "bottom enhancers". "You need to inject this liquid into your bottom once a day," says a market trader, showing a vial of coloured liquid labelled "Vitamin B12". If you do not like the sound of injections, the same amount of money will also get you a small tub of cream. There is no description of what the product contains or how to apply it; just the words "Big bottoms and big breasts", and two illustrating pictures.

Most women preferred to avoid the treatments. "Me? I prefer to be natural so you can know your true value. It's best not to use these medicines. It's not good - it's actually very dangerous," one said. Another woman was happy with what came naturally. "I do the bobaraba because I already have a big bum. When I dance, everyone looks at me."

As far as I am concerned I am all for the shaking of booties, be they big or be they small!. There’s no need to enhance them at all!

3 comments:

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Ditto. Only one word of caution: I hope we'll not have to deal soon with small-arsed people who will demand concessions and to be called "bottom challenged" or something like that.

Liz Hinds said...

What great news!

jams o donnell said...

AH Snoopy they'll have to learn that small is beautiful too, Snoopy!

Haha Liz!