A Ghanaian smock is a plaid shirt that is similar to the dashiki, worn by men in Ghana.[1] The smock is also called a fugu or a batakari.[2] The smock originated in the northern region of Ghana, see external links for photos.
The smock and Kente cloth are the national dress of Ghana. Kente cloth originated in the southern region of Ghana.
The smock is made of handloomed strips of Kente fabric that are three to four inches in width. The strips are sewn together by hand or machine giving the smock a plaid appearance. Most smocks have embroidery on the neckline. The smock is worn with a kufi cap. However, chiefs in Ghana wear the smock with a red fez hat.
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Historically, the smock was rarely seen in the West. As recently as the 1990s, immigrants from Ghana were the only individuals seen wearing the smock. All of that changed as the popularity of films produced in Ghana increased among Black Americans and Caribbeans. In recent years people of African descent have started wearing smocks to churches, mosques, African festivals, and Kwanzaa celebrations in major Western cities like New York and Kingston, Jamaica.
A man is seen wearing a smock in the opening scene of the Jackie Appiah movie, I Knew Nothing Till You Taught Me.