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WEARING OF TRADITIONAL CLOTH (Ntoma fira); The rich vs the poor.
Like many cultures, the wearing of a traditional cloth in Akan/Asante culture has got defined etiquette. You ought to throw the cloth on the left shoulder, and leave the right shoulder bare.
A thread....
Like many cultures, the wearing of a traditional cloth in Akan/Asante culture has got defined etiquette. You ought to throw the cloth on the left shoulder, and leave the right shoulder bare.
A thread....
At some point in history, some left-handers chose to introduce the \\"benkumfira\\" which rather had the cloth on the right shoulder. This was heavily criticised and appears to have faded out.
Generally, there are three forms of traditional clothes: kente, adinkra and ntoma pa.
Generally, there are three forms of traditional clothes: kente, adinkra and ntoma pa.
Kente clothes are worn for festive or joyous events, while black or brown \\"ntoma pa\\" (clothes) are allowed for funerals and solemn ceremonies. You may choose to wear a black or brown cloth with imprints of adinkra symbols. But there is a caution here:
it must be suitable for the occasion, as the symbols convey information. Close relatives of the deceased may choose to wear a red cloth in full or partially. The choice of cloth is dependent on the nature of funeral.
There are two forms of funerals namely; Doteyie and Ayie-pa.
There are two forms of funerals namely; Doteyie and Ayie-pa.
The former is when the corpse is displayed and subsequently buried. Chiefs were buried in the night, because certain rites were performed, as well as to prevent thieves from looting the tombs. Ayipa is the funeral proper when all sympathisers and friends gather to commiserate....
....with the bereaved family.
Do not be surprised to see certain people with some markings smeared on their bodies. Those with red clay markings (known as kotobirigya) are often close relatives to the deceased, those with black markings (known as asafee) on faces....
Do not be surprised to see certain people with some markings smeared on their bodies. Those with red clay markings (known as kotobirigya) are often close relatives to the deceased, those with black markings (known as asafee) on faces....
are often warriors and special undertakers, and those with white markings are unique members of a diety.
Interestingly, funerals and festive events happen to be occasions when the rich, powerful, and even the poor showcase the best of their clothes.
For the rich and chiefs,
Interestingly, funerals and festive events happen to be occasions when the rich, powerful, and even the poor showcase the best of their clothes.
For the rich and chiefs,
their clothes are majestically worn to have parts of it sweeping the ground. This style is termed as \\"Mewo me biribi di\\" - I am self sufficient. In this case, he is seeking to tell the world that the cloth is one of the many in his wardrobe,
and that he has a wife or wives who will easily do the washing.
For the \\"commoner\\" who may have borrowed his cloth, he will have to go for the style known as \\"mokwaa/mesre ntoma fira\\". In this case, the \\"commoner\\" will keep the cloth high off the ground,
For the \\"commoner\\" who may have borrowed his cloth, he will have to go for the style known as \\"mokwaa/mesre ntoma fira\\". In this case, the \\"commoner\\" will keep the cloth high off the ground,
often to knee level, and tucked close to the sides.
Yes, we are not equal in this world, but we must endeavour to strive for the best of life, through legitimate means. Don\\"t be lazy.
Onyame ne yen boafo.
Piawwwwwww!!!
Credit: Yaw Afreh
Yes, we are not equal in this world, but we must endeavour to strive for the best of life, through legitimate means. Don\\"t be lazy.
Onyame ne yen boafo.
Piawwwwwww!!!
Credit: Yaw Afreh
