Kakamotobi Shirt and Pant Set Ghana Sidley Collection

Fancy Dress, locally known as Kakamotobi, is a vibrant tradition in Ghana's Central Region, particularly among the Fante people, although participants also hail from Effutu, Ahanta, Ga, and other coastal communities. It attracts young men and occasionally women, typically aged between three and forty-five, with the majority falling within their teens and twenties, while leaders tend to be in their thirties and forties.

The festivities of Fancy Dress often involve street parading, characterized by energetic dancing in front of chiefs' palaces, hotels, and public squares. Competitions, such as those held in Winneba, include various performance elements like costume inspection, a "march pass" akin to parading, and three distinct types of dancing, all subject to judging.

Costumes, integral to the spectacle, are crafted by tailors, frequently members of the Fancy Dress groups, who assemble patchwork and striped garments. These are paired with either locally made masks of cloth, wire mesh, or paper-mâché, or imported rubber animal or horror masks sourced from Accra, Takoradi, or even America (though many originate from China), often gifted by supporters. Elaborate headdresses, constructed from a combination of fibers, cloth, Christmas garlands, and mirrors, are sometimes added to complete the ensemble.

Provenance: Niña Sidley Collection

After a long career in publishing, Niña Sidley returned to her first love: collecting the art, artifacts, and textiles of the world’s indigenous peoples. Part of her mission has been to educate others and to honor the extraordinary creativity, ingenuity, and heartfelt messages these handmade works send from their makers. Niña believes this deep respect for tradition and beauty inspires and ties all of us together as one world.