Batiking in Ghana 1

I just got back from a transformative four weeks in Ghana, West Africa! It was jam-packed with extraordinary adventures that I’m just starting to digest! Here’s a fiber related one. It will probably take a few installments.
Nearly everywhere in Ghana are women (often carrying large loads on their heads and babies on their backs!) wearing boldly colored batik dresses and head wraps. I tried not to stare but the intricate fabric designs, the complicated cuts of the dresses AND the ingenious way yardage was skillfully used to secure those babies was a visual treat. Some of that fabric was cheap fake batik imported from China. But I sought out where to buy locally made batik. I had been given the name of Mercy Asi Ocansey from a friend as the place to see the most beautiful and interesting hand made batik in the area. I finally found both she and her small shop in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Wow.

Mercy and I in her store

She is retired and the designs and fabric are now being created by her son, Daniel Tekper Baflo (much more on his amazing craft later!) She asked me to wear one of her batiked shirts for the picture. This photo does not do justice to the multilayered unique designs on all this fabric. Needless to say I left with a lighter wallet though it was agonizing to pick what yardage to buy.

Dan and his sister

I returned a few days later to work out a plan to be able to observe her batik workshop (outside of the city) and create some fabric myself. This involved lots of misunderstood English, laughter, many cell phone calls to “the boy” (her son, Dan) and polite price haggling. My friend and I left with very rough directions and a plan to travel there the next morning. I also, of course, had bought more fabric : ).

3 Responses to “Batiking in Ghana 1”

Linda elder Says:
August 27, 2013 at 11:51 pm | Reply
What a fabulous experience this must have been. Your work is so inspiring.
Susan Damone Balch Says:
August 28, 2013 at 10:09 am | Reply
Looking forward to hearing more!
Clarita Halle Says:
April 16, 2014 at 8:00 pm | Reply
I really take delight in your drafting this write-up. This is the time suitable
for us to develop, come as a nation and also discover practical ideas
on how we can keep moving this country in the right direction and
thus address the ongoing obstacles. Thanks a lot for
such insightful post.