July 1Ghana's Republic Day celebration is one of the most striking in West Africa, due to the fact that the popular attire includes the brightly colored cloth known as the kenti . Although at one time each tribe's kenti had a distinctive pattern, weave, and color combination, today most are orange or yellow with a hexagonal pattern. Men wear it draped over one shoulder and around the waist, while women may wear it as a long skirt.
July 1 is the day on which Ghana became an independent republic in 1960. The people also celebrate March 6 as Independence Day—the day in 1957 when British rule ended and Ghana became the first state in the British Commonwealth to be governed by black Africans.
CONTACTS:
Embassy of Ghana
3512 International Dr. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-686-4520; fax: 202-686-4527
www.ghanaembassy.org
SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, pp. 40, 110
NatlHolWrld-1968, p. 100