"With more than 119,000 followers, the 19-year-old is emerging as a TikTok star. In fact, he's one of the leading exponents of a dance that's sweeping the country: biama. Its unique feature? The creators are children, and social media is their tool for spreading the word. In the working-class neighborhoods of Gotham and Toit Rouge, there's always something to celebrate: weddings, soccer games, or birthdays, where music and dance are always the focus."
"I hardly sleep [because I'm] thinking about my next [piece of] choreography and when I see children performing my challenges, I'm filled with happiness, Madouro notes. However, this art also fascinates adults. And these child and teenage artists have managed to gain the admiration of their elders. People recognize me, greet me and I feel great pride, because we've established our work and that's why they respect us, the young man adds."
Ismael Mondesir Ouattara, known as Madouro, is a 19-year-old TikTok star with over 119,000 followers who popularizes biama. Biama is a dance rooted in Nouchi and Abidjan's 1970s culture, created and spread by children using social media. The dance appears at weddings, soccer games and birthdays in working-class neighborhoods like Gotham and Toit Rouge, where music and dance dominate communal life. Biama features extreme contortions, theatrical grimaces, comedy and high physical control. Young creators post choreography and challenges that inspire children to perform and adults to admire their skill. Performers receive public recognition, respect and pride from their communities.
Read at english.elpais.com
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