Mapouka – A Dance Form of Twerking
One of the most popular and easily recognizable dance forms when compared to twerking is Mapouka. The idea of women gyrating hips and buttocks goes back thousands of years in Africa. It is performed by the Aizi, Alladian and Avikam people of Dabou in the Southeast area of present day, Ivory Coast in West Africa.
You can find twerking or Mapouka in various forms and names throughout Africa. This form of dancing is a way for women to feel empowered and to help them embrace as well as exhibit their femininity.
Like twerking, Mapouka is done facing away from the audience in a low squatting stance while throwing, thrusting and shaking one’s hips and buttocks.
Changing the Culture of Twerking
Twerking became popular during the New Orleans bounce scene in the 1980’s. The dance form has remained underground for a longtime. We are confident the contest will change the culture of twerking and the way our young ladies who love to twerk are perceived in society.