Ghanaian smock
Encyclopedia
A Ghanaian smock is a plaid shirt that is similar to the dashiki
, worn by men in Ghana
. The smock is also called a fugu or a batakari. The smock originated in the northern region of Ghana, see external links for photos.
The smock and Kente cloth
are the national dress of Ghana. Kente cloth originated in the southern region of Ghana.
The smock is made of handloomed strips of Kente fabric that are three to four inches in width. The strips are sewn together by hand or machine giving the smock a plaid appearance.
Most smocks have embroidery on the neckline. The smock is worn with a kufi
cap. However, chiefs in Ghana wear the smock with a red fez hat.
increased among Black Americans and Caribbean
s. In recent years people of African descent have started wearing smocks to churches
, mosque
s, African festivals, and Kwanzaa
celebrations in major Western cities like New York
and Kingston, Jamaica
.
movie, I Knew Nothing Till You Taught Me.
Dashiki
The dashiki is a colorful men's garment widely worn in West Africa that covers the top half of the body. It has formal and informal versions and varies from simple draped clothing to fully tailored suits. Traditional female attire is called a caftan, or kaftan...
, worn by men in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. The smock is also called a fugu or a batakari. The smock originated in the northern region of Ghana, see external links for photos.
The smock and Kente cloth
Kente cloth
Kente cloth, known locally as nwentoma, 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.- Etymology :...
are the national dress of Ghana. Kente cloth originated in the southern region of Ghana.
The smock is made of handloomed strips of Kente fabric that are three to four inches in width. The strips are sewn together by hand or machine giving the smock a plaid appearance.
Most smocks have embroidery on the neckline. The smock is worn with a kufi
Kufi
A kufi or kufi cap is a brimless, short, rounded cap worn by many populations in West Africa of all religions and throughout the African diaspora.-African and African-American Usage:...
cap. However, chiefs in Ghana wear the smock with a red fez hat.
The smock in the West
Historically, the smock was rarely seen in the West. As recently as the 1990s, immigrants from Ghana were the only individuals seen wearing the smock. All of that changed as the popularity of films produced in GhanaGhana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
increased among Black Americans and Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
s. In recent years people of African descent have started wearing smocks to churches
Church service
In Christianity, a church service is a term used to describe a formalized period of communal worship, often but not exclusively occurring on Sunday, or Saturday in the case of those churches practicing seventh-day Sabbatarianism. The church service is the gathering together of Christians to be...
, mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s, African festivals, and Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a week long celebration held in the United States honoring universal African-American heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. It features activities such as lighting a candle holder with seven candles and culminates in a feast and gift giving...
celebrations in major Western cities like New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
.
Popular culture
A man is seen wearing a smock in the opening scene of the Jackie AppiahJackie Aygemang
Jackie Agyemang is a Ghanaian actress. For her work as an actress she has received several awards and nominations, including the awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2010 African Movie Academy Awards and Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2007...
movie, I Knew Nothing Till You Taught Me.