Why wearing traditional dress will always be political

2026-03-18 - 13:40

For many on the continent and among the diaspora, navigating multiple identities via cultural attire is a birthright, but it can create some complications • Don’t get The Long Wave delivered to your inbox? Sign up here Good afternoon to everyone, apart from the organisers of Afcon. Several weeks ago, the Ghanaian president, John Dramani Mahama, wore the traditional fugu, a patterned smock, on a state visit to Zambia. He came in for mockery from Zambians (some of it lighthearted) on social media, with some calling it a “blouse”. Continue reading...