{"product_id":"kakaamotobe-fancy-dress-carnival-in-ghana-9781793643094","title":"Kakaamotobe: Fancy Dress Carnival in Ghana","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eKakaamotobe is a Fancy Dress performance in southern Ghana, West Africa, where masqueraders dress in colorful costumes and wear fancy and fierce masks to dance energetically to drums or brass band music. Competitions held in two towns are intense annual events. This lively secular masquerade is a carnival form that has been practiced for over a century by coastal Fante people and many additional ethnicities. It explores the history, aesthetics, performance, and underlying messages of this masquerade with ties to other carnivalesque practices in the Black Atlantic. The use of elaborate costumes, masks, and brass bands expresses the impulse of youth to adapt traditional culture to the contemporary environment, rather than a desire to imitate outside cultures. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 312 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 24 June 2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Lexington Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKakaamotobe, a term that translates to \"to scare,\" holds a prominent place in the cultural landscape of southern Ghana, West Africa. It is a captivating Fancy Dress performance that involves masqueraders donning vibrant costumes and adorning intricate and fearsome masks. During holidays, particularly around Christmastime, these energetic dancers take to the streets, captivating audiences with their lively performances accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums or brass bands. Annual competitions held in two towns further amplify the excitement of this secular masquerade, drawing participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This vibrant and secular carnival form has a rich history, having been practiced for over a century primarily by the coastal Fante people, with many other ethnicities now participating in its celebration. Kakaamotobe serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of African culture and its ability to adapt and evolve while maintaining its core essence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile Fancy Dress may engage with global cultures through some of its aesthetics, it is important to recognize that the practice is profoundly African. The use of elaborate costumes, masks, and brass bands in Kakaamotobe is not an attempt to imitate external cultures but rather a reflection of the youthful impulse to adapt traditional culture to the contemporary environment. This dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity is evident in the way masqueraders portray their characters, often challenging societal norms and expectations. Courtnay Micots, in her analysis, argues that the outward appearance of folly in Kakaamotobe masks a more profound refashioning of power, identity, and modernity within the community. The masquerade serves as a platform for individuals to express their individuality, challenge social hierarch. and redefine their place in the world. Through their costumes and performances, masqueraders reclaim power, assert their identity, and embrace the complexities of modernity, contributing to the rich tapestry of African cultural heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 598g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 159 x 236 x 25 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781793643094\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Courtnay Micots","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":44102248825082,"sku":"9781793643094","price":117.81,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1646162419036_book.jpg?v=1646915544","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/kakaamotobe-fancy-dress-carnival-in-ghana-9781793643094","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}