Traditional headscarves as a vehicle for cultural communication among the Asantes of Ghana

Traditional headscarf is a visible form of personal adornment among the Asantes of Ghana. Despite its immense cultural significance as a cultural communication tool, its diverse styles, formative techniques, and cultural iconography have not received much attention in the scholarship of Asante’s history and culture. Phenomenological research method under qualitative research approach was employed using triangulated data collection tools of interviews, observations, and photographs. A thematic method of analysis that included reading, organizing, transcribing, creating themes, coding, and brief quotes was employed. Semiotic theory was applied as a theoretical lens to carefully document the formative techniques of selected Asantes traditional headscarves while shedding light on their cultural significance among the Asantes. The results show that headscarves convey societal standards, personal feelings, and status; styles such as Besen, Gyae me/gyae me haw and Adeatomani represent values and emotions are categorized into groups that convey emotions, identification, grief, and life lessons. The study tasked cultural institutions to stir up efforts to preserve this important aspect of the fashion history of the Asantes of Ghana due to the influence of foreign fashion trends.