The beauty of African printed cloth in Ghana should not be underrated. I have often been amazed at how after a goodly space of time we reap the advantage of being told the story of our identity, strength and creativity. The other day I found myself reflecting upon some pictures which I took long years ago of the striking African printed cloth in a shop. Each piece of cloth is proud to represent a pattern which signifies a great deal as to the wealth of our culture and artistic inheritance.
To a Ghanaian, African printed cloths are not merely clothes but are garments of their pride. At any function, be it a wedding, festival or get-together, Ghanaians know how to match their prints with dignity. The multitude of colours, forms and styles give a beauty of their own which cleverly depict and express who we are: a people instinct with life, confidence and tradition.
It is these reflections which I so love to keep alive, as they serve to remind me of the mightiness and splendour of our inheritance. The prints have meanings in them which serve to give expression in design to the stories of many generations' standing handed down to us.
Even in this day of evolution which is critical of fashion, African printed cloth has a place both on the person of the wearer and in the wardrobe. They lend themselves admirably to the blending of taste in the adaptation, without relinquishing their mighty power over the mind in the old world which is enshrined: the cult of the past generations.
I am too glad to share with you my old pictures, not so much for their beauty but for a glorification of our identity of Africans. Something has been put into pictures though which relates a greater story than mere words.
African prints will always have a place, they are too beautiful to ignore, I love love them
You simply cannot resist them.