The Efadzinam Borborbor Band, a group that specialises in the traditional Borborbor dance, has dismissed attempts to equate the centuries-old cultural dance with twerking.
The group’s Public Relations Officer, Lizabeth Akusika Bada, speaking on the E Vibes Musical Band Series, defended the authentic essence of Borborbor, stating that it has no connection to twerking and is not intended to be sexual in any way.
“Twerking has nothing to do with Borborbor. Twerking is its own thing, but Borborbor has nothing to do with that. Growing up, we had games that involved the use of the waist. Borborbor is not the only dance that uses waist movements.
“We have Kpanlogo, which is more or less a seductive dance. But Borborbor is not about twerking or sexual expression. It’s simply a cultural legacy passed down to us, and we are preserving it,” she said.
Originating from the Ewe people of the Volta Region, Borborbor is a celebratory dance characterised by intricate drum patterns and graceful waist movements.
It is described as a communal ritual rather than a performance, and is often featured at festivals, funerals, and community gatherings.
