Johannesburg - They called it boogying in the 1970s, rocking in the 1980s, and bumping and grinding in the 1990s. But this will undoubtedly become known as the year “Twerking” was born.
From the “royal twerk” by Britain’s Princess Eugene to former Disney star Miley Cyrus’s raunchy performance at the MTV Music Video Awards and even 73-year-old Joan Wind’s twerk at the Guinness World Record attempt in New York, and the new dance phenomenon known as “panty droppers” in townships – twerking has everyone in a frenzy.
Not only has it liberated professional dancers who can now let loose with the sexy moves, but it has given fuller-figured women the confidence to “shake what their mamas gave them” without feeling humiliated.
“It has certainly given us big girls who would have not been looked at 10 years ago the confidence to shake our buttocks without being embarrassed. It has given us recognition and has done away with the old stereotype that skinny is sexy,” says Kimberley Cindi, 23, of twerking female group Protwerkers SA.
Cindi, who works for a promotions company as a dancer and is known as “LadyKim”, says she is amazed at how the dance routine has spiralled into popularity in the country since she and other members of the group stood in front of their mirrors a year ago, practising the moves.
Back then, Cindi, Rifiloe “MsJay” Nketsi and sisters Samantha “Explicit” Malinga and Theresa “Terryberry” Malinga, and two other members had just watched an American music video of girls twerking. They loved it. And to date, they have performed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria and, of course, in South Africa. And their reputation is growing with every performance.
However, it is their presentation at Kanye West’s concert in Joburg early this year that catapulted them into the spotlight.
“Since then we’ve been getting a lot of gigs.”
Cindi admits there was initially concern about the jiggling of their buttocks when they started out.
“I come from a Roman Catholic background and at first we were scared of doing this. We thought people would hate it. But, you see, the thing about twerking is that you either love it or hate it. It is as simple as that.”
Cindi says all the Protwerkers’ parents are supportive of their dance moves, which include pinching their buttocks, a move known as the “butt chick”, and stretching.
While young and older women have commended their dance moves, some men are confused and get “hot and bothered” about it.
She recalls an incident where a man grabbed Samantha’s buttock at a show and had to be physically removed by security.
“We now have bouncers who ensure that nothing happens to us while we are on stage,” she says.
Two of the girls study full-time at the University of Johannesburg, while she and another member work full-time, but Cindi says twerking has not affected their work, studies or romantic relationships.
“My boyfriend still has some insecurities, but it is understandable and others have come to watch their girlfriends perform,” she says.
But the big question is: does Miley Cyrus have the assets needed to twerk? The girls think so.
“We absolutely love her to bits,” Cindi says.
“We adore her for having revolutionised twerking and made it relevant now, despite the fact that the dance has been around for two decades.
“It’s not true that white girls or girls with small butts can’t twerk. The difference lies in the fact that twerking with bigger buttocks gets you instant attention. But everyone can do it.”
The group do not have a stylist and often go shopping for clothes together.
But Cindi insists that the ultimate clothing item to have for twerking is lycra leggings. “You can’t twerk in jeans, the bum just doesn’t move right. It has to be something light and expandable so that the butt moves are visible,” she laughs.
The group have also received calls from girls who want to battle the Protwerkers in a competition to see whether the group are really as good as they say they are.
Cindi relishes the thought.
“It’s something we started here, so it’s humbling that we have these requests.”
As twerking gains momentum across the world, the Protwerkers have their work cut out for them and have vowed to continue perfecting their moves and shaking what their mamas gave them.
How to twerk:
A Youtube video clip titled Club Dance Moves by TweetBoogie gives the following instructions:
Hips:
1. Place hands on your hips.
2. Place your feet apart and bend your knees
3. Squat and ensure that your feet are turned out
4. For your hips to go forward place your thumbs on your hip bone and press forward, continue to press forward
5. For your hips to go backward place your fingers on your hip bone and move your hips backwards
Buttocks:
1. Squat and place your hands on your knees
2. Push your butt backwards in fast mode
3. Push your buttocks forward in fast mode
History of twerking
According to Wikipedia, comparisons have been made with traditional African dances. For instance the Mapouka from West Africa, which was banned from the television of Ivory Cost due to its suggestive nature. Twerking can carry gender and racial connotations.
In the US, twerking was introduced into hip hop culture by way of the New Orleans bounce music scene.
In 1993, DJ Jubilee recorded the dance tune Do The Jubilee All in which he chanted, Twerk, baby, twerk, baby, twerk, twerk, twerk. The video for the song increased the popularity of twerking.
In 1995 New Orleans rapper Cheeky Blakk recorded the song Twerk Something! a call-and-response dance song dedicated to twerking.
In 1997 DJ Jubilee recorded Get Ready, Ready in which he encouraged listeners to “Twerk it!”
This year, the word twerk was added to the Oxford Dictionary Online.
Physical and health benefits of twerking
Vodawold Virgin Active group exercise manager Botle Kayamba says when you twerk, you work your hip and your buttock muscles. However, Kayamba wouldn’t advise anyone with lower back pain to twerk. She adds that she’s been teaching twerking at her aerobics classes for quite some time.
“Surprisingly, we’ve been twerking all along without knowing it. We’ve been calling it the booty dance. It began way back in the days of Zumba when I began the booty dance in my classes two years ago. One need not be flexible to twerk – it is all about rhythm.”
And what about benefits in the bedroom?
“Certainly!” Kayamba says. “Twerking is a sexually provocative dance routine. I always advise the ladies to try it out with their men and see how it works. When you twerk you squat and muscles are used. Squatting is also a sexual position, so it works perfectly.”
South African choreographer Paul Modjadji says twerking is good for the heart.
“It’s good to condition our breathing. Not everybody can twerk, you need to have meat on you. There’s never any harm in movement.” - Saturday Star