Wiyaala’s Recognition As Fugu Queen Boosts Demand For The Textile

Angela Kuffour
By
Wiyaala’s Recognition As Fugu Queen Boosts Demand For The Textile
Wiyaala
Ghanaian musician Wiyaala was crowned Fugu Queen and Tourism ambassador for her many years of promoting the Northern textile worldwide. 

At the ceremony, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie hailed Wiyaala for her dedication and showcasing Ghanaian fashion in her performances across the world. 

Months after the recognition, Fugu or Batakari as known in some other parts of Ghana has received significant attention from both Ghanaians and foreigners. The outfit which was occasionally worn during festivals, funerals and other celebrations is now considered a symbol of Ghanaian traditional fashion. 

Young people are using it in their daily fashion routines and patronizing it like never before. 

3Music TV Editorial hit the Accra Art Center amidst the recent popularity of the textile to explore how Wiyaala’s recognition as Fugu Queen is influencing the trade. 

According to a trader of Fugu at the Arts Center, the crowning of Wiyaala as Fugu has not only popularized the textile but also boosted its trade. He acknowledged that although Wiyaala was officially recognized, other northern music stars like King Ayisoba and Sherifa Gunu who have over the years worn the textile in their crafts have also contributed to its success. 

The trader also mentioned the influence of President Mahama after declaring Wednesdays as Fugu days as another factor selling the textile. 

“Ever since we started using fugu, since the 17th century, we've been selling it, but we don't get much marketing. But when John Mahama, the president, said we should be wearing fugu every Wednesday, the market has increased a little bit. And Wiyala also promotes fugu and one of our sisters Sherifa Gunu too,” the trader said. 


“Because when people see them on shows, TV, and they talk about fugu, they also feel like to get fugu,” he added. 

The Fugu vendor also advised other Ghanaians to patronize the textile to make it widely known than it already is.

“We as Africans, as Ghanaians, we need to patronize what we have and make the world to know what we have. And it's very quality, authentic, and it represents us as black people,” he said. 

Fugu, which used to be worn by people from the Northern part of Ghana for centuries, is now a global fashion piece. 
From casual to official wears, it fits every occasion.

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