Why wearing a fugu hat upright in the presence of Yaa Naa is a crime

The Secretary for the Smock Makers Association, Mohammed Ali Abdul Somed, has explained the rationale behind the positioning of fugu hats by people who wear them.

According to him, every style has a peculiar meaning and reasoning behind the position of the hats.

Particularly adorned by the people in the Northern region, fugu fashion speaks volumes about their culture and way of life.

Abdul Somed speaking on GhanaWeb TV, on People & Places, explained that the hats could be worn with their tails tilted to the left, right, back, upwards and front.

According to him, wearing it upright signifies the authority of a chief above all present for an occasion aside from God.

He continued that, sub-chiefs in the region can have that look when they are alone but would face consequences when they wear it to any function since it reflects disrespect for the Ya-Naa.

“Savelegu Naa can wear it when alone. In the presence of Yaa Naa, they can’t wear their hats upright. If they flout that rule, it means that, directly or indirectly, they are insulting the Ya-Naa,” Somed said.

"A typical Dagomba man who knows his tradition will not wear it this way when he is with Yaa Naa,” he added.

As the Dagbon land has resolved all conflict-related issues and is at peace, anyone found wearing his hat tilted to the left signifies that he is a man of peace and therefore, abhors troubles.

However, if the hat is tilted to the right, it tells people that, the individual is self-dependent.

Also, a hat slanted backwards signifies royalty of the individual or a chief yet to be crowned.

If a local is seen rocking his fugu hat slanted to the front, it exhibits his braveness in all aspects of his life.

“When I wear it this way, it means I don’t fear anybody. That means I don’t have any co-equal. In terms of riches, juju, children, wives, money, I have no co-equal,” he added.

The smock makers also noted that certain names are adopted for the smocks after they have been worn by certain public figures.

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