Traditional dancers in Warrap State. (-)

Warrap State governor Kuol Muor Muor has banned an energetic cultural dance, citing allegations that it can potentially cause reproductive complications in women.

Governor Muor also called for the restoration of what he deems as a more decent traditional dance, previously abandoned across the state.

Loor Warrap (Warrap Dance) is a cultural dance in which performers hold their hands backward and shake their waists to the tune of instruments.

Warrap Information Minister William Wol Mayom said the dance has been proven to be medically dangerous as it could result in miscarriage for expectant women.

“First all, we have our own traditional dance that was abandoned by this generation, and they have invented new cultural dance which is not applicable to the pregnant mothers in terms of dance shaking,” Mayom said.

“All Warrap state population, in a meeting with the governor, demanded the current cultural dance to be banned and people to revive and return to the traditional dance that was abounded by current generation.”

“So, Loor Warrap has been banned because it is so dangerous health wise because whenever a pregnant woman dance, it might cause abortion and it has been proven right by medical experts.”

While the minister did not provide specific reference to the medical advice, an American medical journal said exercising or picking up a heavy object— are extremely unlikely to cause a miscarriage.

The American College of Obstetricians and Genecologists (ACOG) also notes that exercise during pregnancy, can have benefits during pregnancy.

Minister Mayom said the ban on the controversial dance is articulated in the recently adopted Green Book ratified by the governor.

According to him, the government of Warrap has the mandate to control and regulate cultural practices in favor of what’s good for the state population.