Clothing and Identity: Ga Deities and Spiritual Responsibilities

Abstract

This paper examines the components of clothing among the individual priests/priestesses of the various Ga deities. Nortey (2008) and Field (1962) have made some notable inroads in this research area, however, no/little attention has been paid to the dress code of the individual priest/priestess. Again there are no distinctions or clarification with clothes relating to the training period and ordination of these servants, as well as costumes designated for festive occasions, healing, worship/veneration of their gods and their day-to-day activities. This paper addresses these gaps through interviews and participant observation. Data were collected from people of selected Ga communities, especially Teshie, Tema and Nungua. The article argues that each Ga deity is symbolized with specific costumes and accessories and thus, requires the servant to be adorned accordingly, regardless of his/her sex. The use of specific clothing items also empowers the priest/priestess spiritually during healing. This article adds to the seemingly scanty literature on Ghanaian costume history, to improve teaching and learning and to enhance creative development among students, lecturers in the arts, ethnographers, sociologists, costumiers and stage/film/video directors. It also suggests that costume designers should check the clothing background of each deity, to avoid creating stereotyped priests/priestesses.

Keywords: costume, deity, clothing, servant, priest/priestess, Ga