Historically, Mapouka was unisex, but today, the queens of Abidjan have taken the crown. Dancers like Princess Leye and Maman Lèv are household names. They are not just dancers; they are media moguls who sell out shows at Palais de la Culture and host Mapouka fitness workshops for expats in Cocody .
You cannot scroll through Ivorian media without seeing the hashtag #Mapouka39 . Why 39? It is local slang for "catch me if you can" or "full throttle." Young influencers in the Plateau district are layering old-school Mapouka moves over modern Amapiano and Ivorian zouglou beats, generating millions of views.