Biama dance craze grows in Ivory Coast streets

Biama, a rapid street dance built around acrobatic turns, fast footwork and comic facial expressions, is drawing young crowds to working-class districts of Abidjan and other Ivorian cities.

In Yopougon, the Abidjan district described as the movement's birthplace, organisers hold weekly outdoor events on vacant sandy ground. Teenagers dance for free, while spectators pay 1,000 to 2,000 CFA francs, about $1.70 to $3.50, to watch.

The dance developed a few years ago from Ivory Coast's coupe-decale dance music. It is described as beginning in 2021 after a young man improvised celebratory moves in a video gaming room and a friend filmed him.

Junior Koffi, 29, known as "God of War", organises Wednesday evening events. He said "biama" means fun in Nouchi, Ivorian slang, and that it can be danced to rhythms including zouk, zouglou and afrobeat.

The gatherings have become both entertainment and a possible source of income. Young dancers earn tips, and sociologist Stephane Babo said the movement also supports jobs and businesses such as clothing sales.

Dancer and singer Dydy Yeman, one of the best-known figures in biama, has drawn tens of millions of YouTube views and has performed in Africa and Europe. Culture journalist Toussaint Konan said Karl Guei, nicknamed "Kalomaman", has two million TikTok subscribers.

The events are not without friction: nearby residents sometimes complain about late-night noise. But regular gatherings continue, and videos shared on social media have helped spread biama beyond Yopougon.