Death of moropa, the rhythm maker, but the beat goes on

Selectors or DJs have literally taken over the role that  used to belong to moropa players, who do not feature anywhere in the newly commercialised borankana music.

A traditional  dance troupe  would usually have as many as five or more moropa players, forming an enclosure; sweating, holding the drums between their thighs, and beating them rhythmically, with bare hands, as dancers do their majestic moves in the circle, to the delight of spectators.  Others would sing, clapping hands to accompany the moropa rhythm.