Our Akan elders in their rich proverbial wisdom say “Amamerε diε, yεn totonase” and “Sankᴐfa,yεn kyini”, which literally translates ; “Culture cannot be undermined” and”Going back for what was abandonned is not prohibited” respectively. “During the good old days” as most aged people will put it, Ghanaians felt proud to be seen in traditional attire. Regardless of the occasion, one always found some nice traditional attire to wear.
Then, in the early 90s, the youth began to fancy foreign fashion. We had the bandanas,the Otto Pfisters, the durags, just to mention a few. Slowly, pride in our Ghanaian traditional attire and textiles began to fade. When people attended naming ceremonies, traditional engagements, weddings, funerals and others, they prefer to be seen in “already-made” clothes.
As though we were suddenly tired of wearing what the white man had made, in this 21st century, the Ghanaian-textile craze is back- bigger and better than ever.Ex-President John Agyekum Kuffour launched the Friday wear campaign, which most companies embraced. Then, like a virus, individuals started catching the flow.
Later, it was no strict rule to appear in textiles only on Fridays but it could be on any other day! Initially, the “kabas” and “slits” and the “boubous” were the most popular styles until dresses invaded the nation. Now, even older women dare to wear knee-length black, brown or red African-print dresses to funerals. Time changes indeed!
Soon, like magic, the African-print craze caught up with the youth. Originally, parents had to beg the younger generation to take pride in wearing the African prints.Now, parents are saying that the younger generation will “kill” them with all the things they are doing with the African prints.
Talking about clothes, they come in dresses of different lengths and styles, trousers,suites and so on. As little girls, most of us dreamed of the “white gown”. As young women, some of us are dreaming of some combination somewhere so our wedding gowns are not boring. Also, if the old women will wear “kaba” and”slit” to church services, funerals and other occasions, why should we differentiate ourselves from them by turning-up in fashionable dresses? And yes, we can even match them with some African print jewellery and hair bands.The young men are definitely not left out as they can show up in the lovely African print shirts and suites, even, just a tie.
We want to add some “umph” to our handbags and purses now, as though we are tired of the white man’s fabrics, so we introduced the African print handbags and purses.Now, owning one of these is the “in-thing”. Even your laptop bag could come in African print. Back in basic school, we used to cover our books with brownpaper or newspaper, now you add more “swag” by using African print.
As far as I can remember, the “ahinima” was the only traditional footwear we could boast of. Now, one can own a pair of signature African print slippers, sandals or shoes – they even come in heels! Artists and fashion designers are also using African prints to customise “already-made” clothes. Some interior decorators are inculcating the African print into their work now.
No matter the time, place or occasion, African prints are in vogue. Just do something with it!
