BEAUTY, it seems, is still in the eye of the beholder. Especially in Africa, where differing body sizes have spawned a craze for large-bottomed women that runs contrary to all European notions of beauty. The craze has led to a spate of women taking black market treatments to increase the size of their rears.
The cultural trend originated in the Ivory Coast, where two musicians, DJ Mix and DJ Eloh, wrote a hit song, 'Bobaraba', which means "big bottom" in the local Djoula language. The song was so popular it sparked a national dance craze based on the no
tion of the allure of big-bottomed women.
The craze is so popular that even the country's footballers adopted the moves and could be seen wiggling their bottoms in a curious on-pitch goal celebration during the recent Africa Cup of Nations football tournament.
Like some demonic Renault advert, when 'Bobaraba' plays in the Ivory Coast there is a guarantee the dance floor will be packed with people shaking their derrières.
Although the dance is not gender-specific, it has been enthusiastically adopted by African women, who have previously found few men willing to laud their large posteriors.
"We made it as a tribute to women, because African women are defined by the shape of their bottoms," said DJ Mix.
The song has tapped into the desire of traditionally voluptuous Ivorian women to combat westernised images of glamour and sex appeal.
"There are women today with large bottoms who are embarrassed, so it's to say, 'Don't be ashamed – be comfortable'," said Kady Meite, one of DJ Mix's dancers.
The notion of a big-bottomed beauty is now so alluring for African women that many of them are going in search of a bobaraba.
The demand has spawned a market in cheap, bottom-expanding potions and drugs. But Ivorian doctors say some of the concoctions on sale may be dangerous.
Women hoping to find rear enhancement have the choice of either injections or rubbing on a tub of cream for the desired effect.
Both can be easily found in the sprawling Adjame market, just north of the city centre in Abidjan. They are marketed as "bottom enhancers".
"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 £1. The label claims the product is made in China.
For those squeamish souls who don't like the idea of injections, the same amount of money will 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 is sceptical about the concoctions. "This medicine could be dangerous for your health because we don't know the ingredients," he said.
"It's being used without a medical prescription. 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 US, Dr Victoria Drake says she knows of no scientific evidence that vitamin B12 can be used to treat anything except vitamin B12 deficiency.
DJ Mix admits there is now a growing trend for young women to show off their bottoms.
"If a woman goes dancing and wants to take two or three treatments, no problem," he said. "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."
Despite the growing vogue, most Ivorian women prefer to avoid the treatments. One said: "Me? I prefer to be natural so you can know your true value. It's best not to use these medicines. It's actually very dangerous."
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."
BootyliciousAfrica isn't the only area of the world where the possession of a substantial rump has been lauded by women.
In America, actress and singer Jennifer Lopez became famous for her derriere, as did singer Beyoncé Knowles. The American R&B star was part of girl group Destiny's Child, whose song 'Bootylicious' became a number-one single in America and a hit in Britain and Australia in 2001.
The song is about a confident woman taunting a man, suggesting that he is not ready for her because her body is "too bootylicious".
The video famously featured several gyrating, big-bottomed women.
