Bamako: Videos of young women dancing in colourful boubou gowns have exploded across social media in West Africa. Dubbed Dior parties, the social media trend that originated in Guinea is now stirring controversy. What many see as a joyful revival of African identity and sisterhood has met with fierce backlash from conservative critics and pushed Mali to place a country-wide ban on the celebrations.

According to France24.com, the trend spread like wildfire, as did the intractable controversies around it. In just a few months, Dior parties have become all the rage on social media. Driven by videos shared widely on TikTok, the trend that originated in Guinea has now taken West Africa by storm.

The clips show groups of young women clad in bright, colourful gowns known as boubous, fired up and dancing to all the latest hits in apartments, nightclubs or restaurants. But these girls nights out have met with fierce backlash from conservatives across West Africa. Many young women have faced a barrage of criticism for posting these videos, deemed immoral by critics.

A few years ago, Dior came under fire for using traditional African batik wax printing and tie dye patterns on several garments during a fashion show, sparking a debate on cultural appropriation.

But the parties have recently become a target on social media, with some calling them symbols of youth depravity. Specific dance moves broadcast in the clips like twerking, which consists of rhythmically shaking the hips and buttocks, have especially sparked outrage. Alcohol consumption has also furrowed many brows, as its use is still poorly regarded in some West African regions.

In response to the criticism, participants have stepped up to defend the Dior parties, underlying their role as celebrations of sisterhood and African culture. An organiser quoted anonymously by online media outlet Ledjely recalled the African origins of twerking, saying the move is an integral part of traditional Guinean dances from its forest regions.

Lesbians and LGBTQ individuals have also been dragged into the controversy, with some critics alleging that the parties are lesbian gatherings. Discriminatory attitudes towards LGBTQ people are quite widespread in West Africa. Burkina Faso banned same-sex conduct earlier this month, and Mali passed a law that made homosexuality a crime in December last year.

Singer Marie Fac, who has organised Dior parties, responded to these allegations by posting a video on her TikTok account, defending the events. Others have taken a more sarcastic tone, questioning whether the backlash is truly about twerking or about exclusion from the events.

Despite the controversies, the parties have been economically beneficial, offering business opportunities for local seamstresses, stylists, hairdressers, retailers, and make-up artists. However, the backlash has led to bans in two Guinean municipalities and a country-wide ban in Mali, citing public order and decency concerns.