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."
if the stuff was made in China,expect something weird to happen similiar to Panamanian cough syrup.
I just get emails insulting the size of my machine and suggesting that my girlfriend is looking for an even larger machine.
By Cledus T. Judd
She cooks with lard
Loves hot food bars
A quart of sweet tea
And fried pork skins
Can't get enough
Eats till she's stuffed
Goes to the bathroom
And then she comes back again
She thinks she looks just like Madonna
When she runs her greasy fingers through her bleached blonde hair
Most times she'll place another order
And lordy have mercy on that little bitty chair
She's got a butt bigger than the Beatles
Eating me outta house and home
Her booty size well it outta be illegal
She has a hard time sitting on the throne
Hamburgers, hotdogs
Cheese fries and coleslaw
A dozen bear claws
Yum yum yum
Loves sausage links
Hates diet drinks
Takes up both seats in a two-seater car
Her doctor said lay off the bread
But he didn't say nothing bout a Snickers bar
She drinks sweet milk by the gallon
And she'd never eat a salad or a Lean Cuisine
And she'll lay
Spread out on the hammock
After she's done her damage at the Dairy Queen
She's got a butt bigger than the Beatles
Folks make fun cause she's overgrown
Her rumps shaped like a Volkswagen Beetle
She gives new meaning to the words big boned
Bagels and cream cheese
Vaniller ice cream
A tub of whip cream
Yum yum yum
No you won't find her name on the weight loss of fame
Down at Jenny Craig's
When she cleans em out at the Waffle House
They'll bring in more ham and eggs
Ewwwwwwww
She's got a butt bigger than the Beatles
Her favorite food is chocolate Ding Dongs
It's wide enough to play line backer for the Eagles
Dion Sanders better leave her alone
Fried chicken and steak
Or a fat free milk shake
Enough for god's sake
Stop the insanity
Weight Watchers yeah
Weight Watchers yeah
Yeah I watched her weight
I watched it go from 117 and a quarter when I married her
To 317 and a half two and a half years latter
Moooooooo
But I still love ya honey
.
Please excuse this “Cheeky” ping.
Was she one of the Butts sisters?
That bootie is NOT fine!!
My name is Bill Clinton and I approve this message.
Reverend Calvin Butts has already endorsed this procedure. And Obama.
baby got back. i guess they can't afford a "Body by McDonalds" in africa...
;o)
“One Day Big Butts will be in Style”
(((sigh)))) I can only hope so....see screen-name —
Pat
send the Hildebeast there
LOL!
You and me both.
I’m waiting on a thread about men’s erm, body parts so we can make fun of them ;)
First place I gain weight, last place I lose it....
((((sigh))))
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