Ghana’s Obroni Wawu Festival Celebrates Secondhand Fashion
A gathering of fashion designers, artists, models, photographers, and thrift vendors from all over the world takes place at Accra’s Rawlings Park for the annual Obroni Wawu festival. This event, launched in 2022, is a tribute to Kantamanto Market, the epicenter of Ghana’s thriving thrift and upcycling movement. The festival, named after the term “Obroni Wawu” which means “dead white man’s clothes,” highlights the importation of secondhand clothing into Ghana. Organized by the Community Engagement and Community Business Incubator (CBI) teams in collaboration with Kantamanto Market leaders and associations, the festival aims to showcase Ghana’s commitment to sustainability. Additionally, it fosters connections with similar secondhand markets in other parts of the Global South.
Legacy of Sustainability
The Obroni Wawu festival serves as a platform to promote Ghana’s legacy of sustainable fashion practices. By celebrating secondhand clothing and upcycling, the event emphasizes the importance of reducing waste and embracing eco-friendly fashion choices. Through showcasing the creativity and innovation within Ghana’s fashion industry, the festival inspires individuals to rethink their consumption habits and opt for more sustainable alternatives.
Global Collaboration
With participants from various countries coming together at Rawlings Park, the Obroni Wawu festival fosters global collaboration in the realm of sustainable fashion. By connecting with secondhand markets across the Global South, the event creates opportunities for sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences. This exchange not only enriches the cultural fabric of the festival but also paves the way for future collaborations and partnerships in the sustainable fashion industry.
Sources: DW
