‘Whatsapp’, ‘La Gata’,‘Dumsor’ laces for Sallah
Sallah is just around the corner with the holy month of Ramadan ending tomorrow and there is no doubt many Muslims in the country are looking forward to activities that climax the celebrations.
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Fashion during this festive occasion is of prime importance. Everyone who will be going to the prayer grounds will like to look their best. Many shops right from the onset of the Ramadan start stocking fabrics and ready-to-wear outfits for the occasion.
Every year, the fabric or attire worn usually depends on what is trending in that particular year; one’s social standing among others.
This year, however, kaftans, abayas and the usual lace fabrics are in vogue. And just as previous years, the laces to be used for the Sallah have been given names to reflect what is trending at the moment in the country.
According to Fuseina Amadu who sells fabrics at the Accra Central market, “this year, the laces in vogue for the festivities are Whatsapp, La Gata, Mari Cruz, President, Dumsor, I Love My Husband, Cord, Ada Ada, Dry, Esmeralda etc. , obviously named after the popular soap operas being shown on television as well as other social issues. The prices for these fabrics range between GH¢50 and GH¢200 for a metre.
Just as people are choosing their fabrics according to their favourite programme, their styles are also chosen according to their fashion sense.
“I cannot say the style people will make with their fabrics, but I am sure some will sew the Yoruba style. My sister, don’t underestimate the designs people will create. One thing for sure is that, there is definitely going to be different spectacular styles at the praying grounds that will blow your mind,” Fuseina Amadu said.
Another trader, Asana Issaka, a market woman who sells the abaya said this year; most mothers were buying the abaya for their children. “This is the only time I get loads of customers. This time around, most mothers are coming in to buy for their wards”, she said.
According to her, the prices of the abaya range from GH¢5O to GH¢200 depending on the type, style and size of the dress. The kids’ abaya which usually come with no embroidery is cheaper. Adult abaya have special designs.
While business seems to be booming for traders in Accra Central, same cannot be said for traders who deal in fabrics at Nima and Madina, two of the predominantly muslim communities in Accra.
A trader at Nima, Mama Adiza, who has been in the fabric business for close to 10 years said business has been slow this year. “Previously, people would buy the different type of laces and shaddas which made business good but this year has been slow. It is very difficult to sell the few fabrics I brought in’, she said.
Farouk, a tailor in Accra Newtown, said apart from a few laces, he was getting loads of waxprint from his customers. “I think this is because the shaddas and laces are too expensive. Also, most people were going in for the abaya which is already made.
Touching on a particular style in vogue this year, Farouk said “I am currently doing a lot of Yoruba and Aso Obi styles.”
Lele
One other fashionable thing that also plays an integral part in the celebrations is the temporary body art known as the ‘henna’ but locally known as ‘lele’.
Traditionally, the body art was worn by muslim brides, as an indication of their changed status. However, the intricate designs, mostly made on the hands and feet to cause a temporary tattoo, are now widely worn by almost every woman during the Eid celebrations.
The designs are usually painted a day before Sallah. While the young women sport interesting designs, the older ones just wear the ‘dye’ without any designs.
Eid day
On the actual Eid day, excited Muslims wake up very early and pray the compulsory Fajr prayer and prepare for the Eid grounds.
However, before leaving for prayers, Zakatul-Fitr is given out to the less privileged in the communities. This can be in the form of money or foodstuffs so the poor also feel part of the celebrations.
After the prayers has been performed, everyone goes back home. Usually during the Eid-Ul-Fitr, sheep, goats and fowls are mostly slaughtered which is done by the men of the house while the women wait to prepare the meat and the various dishes.
As a tradition, meals are shared amongst friends and families; both Muslims and non muslims.
