One thing I’ve heard many visitors say about their time in Ghana is, “It’s so colorful!” It seems like life here is extra vibrant, with many of the container stores being painted bright colors. However, I think the one part of daily life that is extra colorful are people’s custom-made clothes from African-print fabrics.
Clothes are an integral part of any culture. They are used to denote status and rank, for spiritual purposes, for storytelling, for connecting with ancestors and any number of other things. They are also one of the most easily spotted and recognized marker of a specific culture. In Ghana there are a few pieces of clothing that are the traditional wear, and while it they may vary across ethnic groups, nationalism has allowed them to spread throughout the country.
Ghana is just like many other countries. There are the rural areas, far from the cities and capitals where people struggle to make ends meet. There are towns and regional capitals with large universities that are young and vibrant. And there are major cities, including the capital of Accra, where there are major cultural events, the wealthy elite in their fancy cars and creative movers and shakers pushing artistic growth. Last month, the three of those came together at Ghana Fashion and Design Week.
more “A Look at Ghana Fashion and Design Week”
Today is Father’s Day here in Thailand, with much of the honor and regard being directed towards the king, the father of the country. In honor of the monarch, Thais are wearing yellow, his color in honor of the day he was born on, a Monday. But today is not the only time that Thai people dress the same.