Now clothing is more than fashion it is history you can wear, identity you can see, and culture you can feel, especially here in West Africa.
For Ghana’s traditional wear called Fugu, it became more popular following a viral social media conflict where Zambians mocked the Ghanaian traditional fugu (or batakari) top worn by Ghana’s President John Mahama, calling it a “blouse” during a state visit, prompting a fierce defence of the cultural garment by Ghanaians online.
However, the incident fueled a, “Fugu Day” initiative in Ghana, turning into a positive cultural promotion.
Infact, the Ghanaian government designated Wednesdays as “Fugu Day” to promote national identity, and the incident boosted demand for the locally made, hand-woven smocks.
Today, in our arts and culture, we shift our attention to this iconic traditional garment, the Fugu, which continues to connect generations, preserve heritage, and make bold statements in modern times.
Here is Abdullahi Hassan with more.