As soon as you step off a plane in Ghana or anywhere in West Africa, you immediately notice just how colorful people’s clothing is. In fact, this bright-colored fabric is a big part of the culture of this part of Africa. Just walk into any market and you are surrounded by stalls selling dozens of fabric designs in flaming orange, bold turquoise, deep purple, and neon yellow. Buyers purchase 2-3 yards (depending on the clothing item they want) and take it to a seamstress/tailor to have a piece fitted to them. While one would be hard-pressed to find a community where no one wears the fabric, the influx of used clothing from China into Ghana has made Western clothing more common for everyday use. Instead, the bold fabric swatches are saved for jobs considered “white collar” (i.e.,working in an office of some sort) and special occasions, like weddings, funerals, and religious ceremonies. A typical fabric shop in West Africa. Image credit These wax prints are part of a long histor...
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