The Efadzinam Borborbor Band has cleared the air on misconceptions linking the traditional Borborbor dance to twerking, firmly stating that Borborbor is a cultural legacy and not a form of sexual expression.

Speaking on the E Vibes Musical Band Series, the group’s Public Relations Officer, Lizabeth Akusika Bada, emphasised that Borborbor has deep cultural roots and should not be confused with modern dance styles like twerking.

“Twerking has nothing to do with Borborbor. Twerking is its own thing, but Borborbor has nothing to do with that,” she said.

She explained that while waist movements are part of the dance, they are common in many traditional dances and are not intended to be provocative.

“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 added.

Borborbor, which originates from the Ewe people of Ghana’s Volta Region, is a communal dance characterised by rhythmic drumming and graceful waist movements. It is typically performed at festivals, funerals, and other community events as a way of celebrating heritage and unity.

The Efadzinam Band’s clarification serves as a reminder to honour and preserve the true meaning of traditional dances like Borborbor.