Public Face of Islam in Kumasi

Public Face of Islam in Kumasi | Browse | Notables Slideshow

By Gracia Clark

Notables Slideshow

Zongo Chief

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The Zongo Chief in procession with his entourage

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Bodyguards of the Zongo Chief

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These red turbans are the insignia of the Zongo Chief's palace guard.

Courtesy of Ata Muhammed (August 2011)

Zongo Chief's Horse

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The multiple layers of the Zongo Chief's costume even cover his horse with lace. The horse and flywhisk are symbols of high prestige connected to the northern savannah.

Courtesy of Ata Muhammed (August 2011)

Magnificent in Red

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Scarlet and gold robes and umbrella make these chiefs stand out from the crowd.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Dancing Chief

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Chiefs carried on palanquins or pickups dance to show their vigor and solidarity with onlookers and companions. Note the carpet covering the truck cab.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Power Symbols

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These chiefs display symbols of prestige from many sources: the wild silk smocks, the protective bundles containing verses from the Koran, the typically Akan umbrella, Hausa-style embroidery and a cell phone.

Courtesy of Ata Muhammed (August 2011)

Turban and Lace

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Elaborate white-and-gold lace over a red car complements a saffron turban that covers most of this chief's head and neck.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Desert Style

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The light color and loose, flowing style of these robes offers good protection from heat, sand and drying wind in desert locations.

Courtesy of Ata Muhammed (August 2011)

White and Red Contrast

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White robes and a red umbrella set these chiefs apart from their attendants.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Riding the Cab

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This chief wears Islamic colors sitting on a carpet on top of a gold truck.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

The Asante Queen Mother

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Representing the Asante royalty on this occasion, the Queen Mother's distinctive patterned umbrella echoes her pink kente cloth.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Traditional Brass Pans

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Young girls carry the brass pans containing shea butter and other traditional gifts for the palace.

Courtesy of Ata Muhammed (August 2011)

Huge Crowds

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The route in mid-parade, with people watching from houses and unfinished buildings.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Brass Band

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A uniformed group singing with their brass band.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

See and Be Seen

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Two wealthy locals greet each other in their festive attire.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Cultural Tableau

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Children show off local produce and clothing, riding in front of a chief with Islamic high style green robe and turban and a companion in wild silk.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Rich Combinations

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These chiefs combine Islamic talismans with white and embroidered robes over handwoven smocks typical of Ghana's Upper Regions.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Elderly Chief

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An elderly chief surrounded by his supporters in northern smocks.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Guards with Hats

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This set of guards wears elaborate basketry hats typical of the far north of Ghana.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Preparing to March

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Uniformed members of an ethnic group assemble before joining the parade.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Grand Smocks

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This chief and his companions display the most lavish possible examples of hand-woven smocks from the Upper Regions.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

On the Carpet

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This chief brought two young attendants onto the carpet with him.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Veiling the Car

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The light cloth under this chief's flowing robe conceals most of the car.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Postcolonial Helmet

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The ornate green helmet of this chief, like the silver helmet worn by the Zongo Chief, elaborates upon the British colonial pith helmet.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Three Coordinated Chiefs

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These three make an impressive appearance in coordinated scarlet and gold robes on richly decorated horses behaving well.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Traffic Congestion

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The slow pace of movement often forces delegations to a standstill.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Most Traditional

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This compact delegation includes all the highest status elements: horse, gold umbrella and concealing embroidered robe.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Nobles with Son

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This noble carries his young son in front of him on the horse. The guard, with the saffron turban, carries a silver spiral lance.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Line of Horsemen

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Riders in white robes wait for their chief to move on.

Courtesy of Ata Muhammed (August 2011)

Father-son Team

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The crowds can make horses nervous, so riding has some danger.

Courtesy of Ata Muhammed (August 2011)

The Asantehemma's Entourage

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Those accompanying the Asantehemma wear Islamic-themed attire.

Courtesy of Ata Muhammed (August 2011)

Outshining her Truck

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This notable woman rides on her own rented truck, wearing a flamboyant Yoruba-style headtie.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)

Notable Woman

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This woman notable arrives in style near the end of the parade.

Courtesy of Ata Muhammed (August 2011)

Riding in Comfort

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This dignified woman sits on a mattress made of pillows on the car roof.

Courtesy of Carmen Paz (August 2011)