Ghanaian weaver Alice Banaaza presents fugu weaving in the United Kingdom
Ghanaian weaver Alice Banaaza presented traditional fugu weaving at the Chocolate Has a Name festival in Halifax, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. As MyJoyOnline reports, the event was part of The Untutored Mind: A Thing of Beauty programme.
The festival opened on 27 August 2026, while the exhibition and weaving demonstrations continued until 31 August. Additional events were held from 2 to 6 September. Banaaza began weaving work on 9 September at the Kokoo Museum in Halifax.
A living fugu tradition
During the demonstrations, visitors could watch fabric being created on a loom and learn about techniques and knowledge passed down between generations. The programme was supplemented by conversations with artists, workshops, public talks, educational sessions and an introduction to historical African textile works.
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Fugu is a traditional handwoven textile found primarily in Ghana's northern regions: Northern, Upper East and Upper West. It is made from narrow cotton strips woven on a traditional loom and joined into a large cloth. This fabric is used to make smocks, shirts, dresses and other clothing.
Promoting textiles in Ghana
In 2026, fugu received additional attention in Ghana following President John Dramani Mahama's state visit to Zambia in February. His fugu outfit became the subject of discussions on social media among some Zambian and Ghanaian users. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema praised the beauty of fugu and said he would order the clothing from Ghana.
Later, Ghana's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts declared Wednesdays National Fugu Day, urging residents of the country and friends of Ghana to wear fugu in various forms and designs. In May, Ghanaian musician and cultural activist Noella Wiyaala Nwadei became a fugu ambassador.
