Posted on 02/18/2008 5:33:58 PM PST by traumer
A national dance craze in Ivory Coast has spawned a black market in treatments claiming to increase one's bottom size.
The dance in question has been inspired by DJ Mix and DJ Eloh's hit song Bobaraba, which means "big bottom" in the local Djoula language.
When it plays you can be guaranteed that the dance floor will be packed with people shaking their derrieres.
Even Ivorian footballers have adopted the moves and could be seen wiggling their bottoms in a curious on-pitch dance after each goal scored during the just-ended Africa Nations Cup.
However, doctors have warned of the possible dangers of some of the concoctions on sale.
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".
Injections
In the sprawling Adjame market just north of the city centre in Abidjan, women sell "bottom enhancers".
Adjame market Bottom enhancing treatments sell for $2
"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".
Each vial costs $2. The label claims it is made in China.
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.
Local gynaecologist Dr Marcel Sissoko is sceptical about the concoctions.
I do the bobaraba because I already have a big bum Dancer
"This medicine could be dangerous for your health because we don't know the ingredients. It's being used without a medical prescription," he warns.
"The health ministry hasn't authorised this and doctors don't know what's in there, so there are risks."
At the Micronutrient Information Centre at Oregon State University in the United States, Dr Victoria Drake says she knows of no scientific evidence that vitamin B12 can be used to treat anything except vitamin B12 deficiency.
'Danger'
DJ Mix admits there is now a growing fashion for young women to show off their bottoms.
Ivorian footballers doing the football dance The bobaraba craze is even visible on the football pitch
"If a woman goes dancing and wants to take two or three treatments, no problem," he says.
"But we don't say to girls that they must take treatment to enhance your bottom, no."
One man on the streets of Abidjan agreed: "Us boys, we appreciate these things because when women use the treatment it attracts us, but for women it's not good."
Most women I spoke to 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."
Hey girl! You’re not a blue-eyed floozie, but you can jam to the link above. :)
lol
lol.
I’m getting arterial sclerosis just reading that list of her food!
See Jennifer Lopez for big-bottoms. Pre-pregnancy that is.
There are very few times when I can appropriately use the word “steatopygia”. This one of them.
“Big Bottom” - Spinal Tap
The bigger the cushion
The sweeter the pushin’
That’s what I said
The looser the waistband
The deeper the quicksand
Or so I have read
My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo
I like to sink her with my pink torpedo
Big bottom
Big bottom
Talk about bum cakes
My girl’s got ‘em
Big bottom, drive me out of my mind
How can I leave this behind?
I saw her on Monday
‘Twas my lucky bun day
You know what I mean
I love her each weekday
Each velvety cheekday
You know what I mean
My love gun’s loaded and she’s in my sights
Big game is waiting there inside her tights
Big bottom
Big bottom
Talk about mudflaps
My gal’s got ‘em
Big bottom, drive me out of my mind
How can I leave this behind?
My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo
I like to sink her with my pink torpedo
Big bottom
Big bottom
Talk about bum cakes
My girl’s got ‘em
Big bottom, drive me out of my mind
How can I leave this behind?
interesting...must be a regional thing
This is in no way any crazier than some of the things American women do to themselves. In fact, what some women do is way more dangerous.
"The Hottentots were particularly interesting to Europeans not only because of the unpronounceable click in their language but also the physical characteristics of their women. The most significant of these were their external hanging genitalia and their large, pronounced bottoms – both of which posed a significant contrast to the bodies of women in Europe.
Don't look here if you don't want to see Hottentot genetalia.
I can't believe I remember that song... 8th grade, I think.
How could I forget poor Betty?
Rock on!
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