List of Latest Engagement Dresses for Couples in Ghana
The Ghanaian cultures and traditions recognize marriage as one of the ways to create long-lasting bonds between two or more families and eventually societies. In the past, a father would betroth his daughter to a friend or make a pact to make his child marry him, in order to maintain wealth, good relationships, etc. in the families.
Unlike the western culture, marriages happen differently in Ghana. Even in this modern age, where a shift in religion and culture has caused Ghanaians to accept the western way of marriage, thus; proposal, where the man gets on one knee and puts an engagement ring on the finger of the woman, as a promise to marry her, followed by a white wedding. Engagements are done differently in Ghana. Marriage has become a fusion of western and Ghanaian culture, beautifully undertaken by a couple to commemorate their love.
When a man and a woman find themselves in love, old enough, and financially capable to marry, no matter their Ghanaian ethnicity, they engage before any form of court, white ceremony, or others.
The man who is viewed as the one taking the woman’s hand will inform his family, who will in turn delegate elders of the family to follow him to the woman’s home, purposely to ask for their traditional requirements to be met in order to “take” their daughter away.
When everything succeeds between both families, they proceed to set a date for the engagement ceremony, and among many things, the couple will have to show up clad in beautiful clothing that will entice guests. Not only that, their clothing on that day will show their wealth and prestige, hence every couple tries to bring out their best. Even in this age of social media, it is extreme.
If you are looking to marry anytime soon or even in the nearest future, consider the list below:
The Timeless Kente Style
The cloth is s festive attire, worn chiefly by Ghanaians in the southern part of the country. The Akans, Ewes, and Gas wear their kente in different styles and designs for other occasions.
There are kente designs for funerals, naming ceremonies, and all other public ceremonies including weddings.
Putting on a locally woven kente cloth is portrayed as royalty, due to its stylishness and colorful designs, and if it is adorned with transnationals, pearls, and crystals, it gets some extra points. Aside from its status symbol, all the kente colors are sartorial devices, with every color used depicting something. gold means status/serenity, yellow; fertility, green; renewal, blue; pure spirit/harmony, red; passion, black; union with ancestors/spiritual awareness.
Usually, the couple rocking the Kente attire for their engagement, have the male wearing it as a body covering, with shorts underneath, with some beaded bracelets and necklaces, and could even crown it with a pair of Ahenema (traditional slippers).
The woman sews a long skirt and blouse (slit and Kaba) with it, or wears it as a covering like a man, but with a matching cloth covering her chest to feet, as she carefully lays the kente on it.
Whichever way you would like to wear it, just accessories it and you will feel and look like royalty on your engagement day, and of course, the talk of the town.
The Elegant Gong gong gong (Smock)
People from the Northern part of Ghana are known for wearing the smock. It is their main traditional clothes made with hand-loomed strips.
In different ethnicities in the Northern belt, it bears different names. The Dagbanis call it Bingmaa, Mamprusis; Bana, Mosi; Fugu, Bakatari by southerners, Dansika in Frafra, and a lot of different names. This shows how diverse and inclusive smock fashion is and also how it is instrumental in the traditional fashion industry.
Its unique design mimics the ‘dondon’drum of the Dagomba, with two ends being boarder with slimmer middle which are stitched together to make the smock.
The smock is used for so many occasions including engagement ceremonies in Ghana and it is not only worn by people from the north since Ghanaians tolerate and accept each other’s culture.
One can choose to sew the smock any style befitting an engagement ceremony, but the few trendy styles are;
The male can sew the Nigerian Agbada style with it, with little accessories, or sew a short smock style and per it with some neat pair of pants to go with it, coupled with a cloth-sewn slanted traditional hat made of the same smock.
On the other hand, the woman can choose to sew a carefully designed body-fitting long skirt and blouse with it or sew a blouse and wrap the rest of the smock around her waist, covering her lower half. For an engagement ceremony, matching accessories are always a plus 100.
Aristocratic African Lace
Lace garments back in the 20th century Africa were used as a status symbol. If one can purchase and sew laces for special occasions, they were counted among the rich, influential, aristocratic, or even royalty. This garment has held on to this ‘title’ to date, and wearing one for an engagement is certainly putting you on a pedestal.
It is made with the Eyelet embroidery technique, where stitches are made from a common point and pulled together. Lace designs are mostly flowery, in different shapes and styles.
These days, beads are sewn into it either by production or by seamstresses for women this gives it an even more royal look. It can also be designed with feathers and fur to give it s more dramatic look.
Usually, the women prefer to sew dresses with lace and cover their heads with matching scarves, popularly known as Duku or Gele. For men, a slouch or slanted hat is always a good choice.
Laces may be expensive, but it gives you value for your money and are definitely a facelift.
The Go-to African Print
It is called by different names in different cultures around Africa. In Nigeria, they call it Ankara while Ghanaians call it Ntoma.
They are industrial-made fabrics, colorful and beautiful yet affordable. In Ghana, brands like the timeless GTP, ATL, Hightarget, Wooden, etc. design these gorgeous fabrics which are highly affordable and can be used for all occasions.
One thing that stands out with this industry is how they name their fabrics for different occasions and do well to also inculcate Ghanaian symbols and designs in them to give a more cultural feel.
Choosing to wear a carefully designed, quality African Print for your engagement ceremony is a highly accepted idea.
Just like the other dresses, you can choose to sew it as Kaba and slit for the woman, while the man covers himself with a whole 12 yards of it.
Meanwhile, for simpler choices, the man can sew a shirt out of it and pair it with neat pants, while the lady also sews a dress with it. Remember, accessorizing is always necessary for engagement ceremonies.
Newlook Kaftan
Kaftan is usually worn by Ghanaian for work and special occasions in different styles and embroidery designs, however, it is an unusual design for women on their engagement, due to its simplicity and official feel.
But, you can dare to stand out, by opting for a neatly sewn kaftan, with beautiful designs for your big day and you will look splendid and simple.
