Ivory Coast’s Biama boom: TikTok trend gets the nation’s youth dancing

Ivory Coast’s Youth Captivated by Biama Dance Trend

A new musical and choreographic genre, known as Biama, has taken Ivory Coast by storm, particularly among the nation’s youth. Originating in Yopougon, a lively and impoverished area of Abidjan, the country’s economic capital, Biama has gained widespread popularity in just five years.

Biama draws inspiration from the older genre of coupé-décalé, but differs in its accessibility and the settings in which it is performed. While coupé-décalé is often associated with trendy nightclubs, Biama is danced in the streets and on social media platforms, making it easily accessible to a young, working-class audience.

The rise of Biama can be attributed, in part, to its presence on social media, particularly on platforms like TikTok, where users can share and discover new dance trends. As a result, Biama has become a cultural phenomenon, with the nation’s youth embracing the genre and making it their own.

Article and image source: france24.com