The President of Ghana His Excellency John Dramani Mahama Fugu during his state visit to Zambia has set social media buzzing, but not just because of the visa-free arrangement between the two country.
The President of Ghana His Excellency John Dramani Mahama wore a blue and white traditional Fugu (also known as Batakari) that went viral. He was welcomed by the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema. When Zambians saw his outfit, the online conversation quickly shifted from diplomacy to dress codes, they mocked it by calling it a “blouse”. 
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The Reality: It’s Not a Blouse, It’s a Fugu
What was mistaken for a “blouse” is the Fugu, a prestigious traditional attire worn by people of high status and class.
If anything, it shows Ghana’s president is intentional about promoting the local garment industry both within and beyond Ghana. He definitely appreciates the rich diversity of African heritage, as he tends to wear Ghanaian fabric and outfits a lot.
Did You Know About the Fugu?
The African fugu, known as batakari in the Asante Twi language, is a traditional handwoven men’s garment originating from Northern Ghana but has become widely accepted across the country.
‘Fugu’ is derived from the Moshie word for cloth, while the Dagombas refer to it as ‘bingba’.
In the 19th century, the batakari was used as a war dress for the Ashanti military, crafted from cotton and embellished with leather pouches and metal cases that housed talismans, believed to impart bulletproof qualities to the wearer. The flared bottom allows for easy movement, like mounting horses and engaging in combat.
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