Krobo Dipo Dress Fashion Trends in Contemporary Ghana

Abstract

Dipo rite is, perhaps, one of greatest legacies of the Krobo people in Ghana which has undergone major transformations and modifications. People believe this cultural practice has no significance in modern Ghana. Primarily, because, Dipo dress fashion and custom has generally been understudied. Therefore, this research was conducted to build a documentary on dipo dress fashion trends from classical to contemporary times. The paradigm of the research is qualitative which employed guided interviews, observations, photographs and documentary reviews as primary and secondary data collection instruments. The respondents gathered for the study were sampled purposively and later put into strata in these categories: three (3) Traditional rulers/People knowledgeable or in touch with the Dipo custom, three (3) photographers, twelve (12) Authors who have commented on Dipo dress fashion and two (2) Fashion designers. The study revealed four major Dipo dress fashion stages with various trends under it: tying of strings, cleansing initiation, victory initiation and dress up. The researcher realized that modern values were inherent with dipo dress fashion trends therefore recommending to dipo custodians that traditional and modern practices should be promoted and rebranded to make the ceremony evergreen and accommodating.