One of the things I love most personally about Ghanaian culture is the diversity of traditional clothing. Nothing compares to a wedding, festival, or other community event when you really see what we can do with fabric. From the large bold patterns to the colourful and vibrant designs and the use of different styles that wow you. I am always impressed by how effortlessly elegant the Ghanaian outfit looks in photographs or moving images during a cultural celebration.
There are local clothing brands such as Woodin and Dandicin that have play an important role in establishing and modernising traditional clothing in Ghana. I think they offer great colourful prints with a contemporary fashion twist. From formal shirts to casual dresses and ceremonial wear. These shops allow anyone to wear something traditional while maintaining a modern fashion sensibility. Each time I wear clothes made from Woodin or Dandicin, I feel a sense of pride that goes beyond how I look to how I represent my culture.
I’ll admit I enjoy wearing traditional clothes. There’s a certain conviction you have walking into a room with a perfectly tailored outfit made from real Ghanaian fabric. There’s an automatic connection that people have to heritage when they see Ghanaian clothing. Those clothes talk without speaking. They speak to who you are and where you are from, and more importantly, pride in being Ghanaian.
What’s even crazier is that you can dress beautifully in traditional wear for an incredibly cheap price. You can walk into a tailor’s shop with a yard or two and walk out with a beautiful garment. There are so many fabrics available throughout markets and shops that it can work for anyone regardless of their income. This is fashion that speaks of inclusiveness and pride, rather than exclusivity.
At every gathering you also see how people shine in their clothing. Women in brightly coloured kente or ntoma fabric or men in carefully sewn smocks or agbada. All the creativity and cultural expression are on full display, and it is incredible. Our traditional clothing is more than clothing. It's art, history, and celebration woven into each thread.
As someone who appreciates traditions, I would encourage more young people to embrace our Ghanaian fashion. Let's wear it proudly, let's celebrate it whenever we can, and keep supporting local designers and fabric stores. There is certainly no better way to represent who we are than through the clothes we wear.
