Ghanaian Cultures and Traditions

1. Kingship and Traditionalism of Ghana

Ghana, West Africa is a democratic nation having a very well defined political structure with an elected President, who serves four-year terms. Yet, the embodiment of the nation is culture and tradition, in which much pride is taken. Even democratic expression is flavored by Ghanaian culture. The cultural spirit is strongly seen in all government dealings. Ghana has beautifully and strategically combined various traditional cultures to form a national culture, which also enhances their political identity. [3]

Ghana is conventional in its approach to every facet of life, including government. Consequentially, every one within the political structure has strong traditional roots and belongs to a tribe. Each of the political parties is composed of a cross section of individuals from all of the tribes or traditional groups. However, political figures are voted into office, not by a tribal vote, but by a national vote. Traditional kings help in the democratic governance of the nation, yet are not directly involved in politics. Nevertheless, the time-honored institution of kingship has significant influence in the development of the entire nation. The kings work in concert with the political structures, encouraging those under their rule to collaborate with the government’s regional administration for the betterment of the nation. Natural resources in Ghana are owned by the government for development.[3]

Although the Ghanaian kingdoms highly respect and abide by the democratic system, they find security in knowing that Kingship is permanent, having existed long before democracy, unlike elected officials, which may change from term to term. The Kings represent and serve their people for a lifetime. The permanency of the Kingdom is based upon its people, history, traditions and values.
Every Kingdom has stool land(s), under the leadership of the King and their traditional councils. The lands are distributed at the discretion of the Kingship, mainly for the development of the towns or region. The government usually has no jurisdiction in the distribution of stool lands. It should be understood that all land within a Kingdom is not owned by the Kingship and considered stool land. Individuals also own land and are free to buy and sell property. [3]

2. Clothing and Fashion in Ghana

Clothing

People in Ghana continue to dress in the traditional styles despite an abundance of Western influence. Most of their clothes are hand-dyed, hand-woven and hand-sewn by professional seamstresses.

                                                   Traditional Clothing for Men

Ghanaian clothing is usually made of sturdy fabrics that are rich in color and detail. Many outfits include expert embroidery and beading. Women in Ghana are more prone to dressing in the more traditional styles of dress, whereas men can be seen wearing khaki slacks, jeans, soccer Jersey and suits more akin to Western fashion.

                                                         Typical Kente cloth I see in Ghana

Kente cloth is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strips and is native to the Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast., Asante kente is identified by its dazzling, multicolored patterns of bright colors, geometric shapes, and bold designs. The cloth is usually made in strips form. They would sew them together to make clothes. [1]

Kente cloth is the most popular and celebrated cloth in Ghana and in the whole of Africa. The strip-woven cloth called Kente, made by the Akans (Asante) peoples of Ghana and the Ewe peoples of Ghana and Togo, is the best known of all African textiles. Its renown has spread internationally, so that it is now one of the most admired of all fabrics in many parts of the world. Its colorfulness makes it stands out wherever.
Traditionally, kente is woven in Ghana by the Ewes and the Akans (specifically Asantes). The Asante kente is woven in villages just outside Kumasi in the area around Bonwire, Woonoo, Maape, Adawomase and Ntonso. Kente is also woven by the Ewe in the Volta Region. Even though Asante and Ewe kente may look very similar, there are significant differences, especially in the weft designs and in some technical areas with respect to the weaving process. Ewe kente is often identified by its figurative motifs. [2] 

                                                       Dress made of Kente cloth

Friday is supposed to wear Ghanaian clothing day. People would wear Ghanaian style shirt to work. It's still a western style cutting shirt but made from the Ghana traditional cloth.In general, people like to wear comfortable fitting shirt rather than slim fit or regular fit. I think it got to do with the hot weather here. [1]

Some of us (the ladies) went to a shop called woodin to buy the material for tailored dress and shirt. Apparently, it's is a well known store located in various countries in Africa. They sell material, and the price is about 15-30USD for 6 yards. For the men, we did not really buy anything there. It is not easy to wear the shirt again in our home country. However, I did manage to get a shirt in the art market for 8USD bargain price (after 45 mins for bargaining and walk-away tactics). [1]

1. Jason IBM Corporate Service Corps. Ghana 8 (http://jasonghana8.blogspot.com/2012/05/clothing-and-fashion-in-ghana.html)
2. Saflirista (http://www.saflirista.com/ghana-fashion-ghana-clothes-ghanian-dresses-fashion-styles-kente-dress/) 
3. Se(Shai) Ghana Peace and Progress (http://www.seghana.com/kingship.php)