During my early years in Ghana, I was intrigued by the sight of kids wearing vibrant costumes and scary masks while dancing at traffic lights every December. My curiosity led me to discover the rich tradition behind these “Fancy Dress” performances.

One day, I decided to approach one of the dancers, asking about the origins of their costumes and whether they could show me where the magic happens. This sparked the beginning of my project in Tema. On May 18th, 2023, I visited Tema and was introduced to “Father” Bernard, the designer, and Francis, the leader of the Supremacy team—one of the 23 Fancy Dress groups in Tema, representing a massive community. I began documenting the creation of their costumes, which remain a closely guarded secret until the grand parade.

Through this project, I wanted to unveil the splendor of the Fancy Dress Festival (also known as Kakamotobi or Ankos Festival) not merely as a documentation, but as an exploration of the deeper layers of identity, community, and self-expression. The festival becomes a canvas where tradition meets innovation, as the beautiful garments—adorned with symbols and motifs—speak to the enduring spirit of the Ghanaian people.

The Fancy Dress tradition is much more than a parade, it also gives rise to dance and costume competitions, particularly in places like Winneba and Swedru, where teams rehearse all year long in anticipation of this massive celebration.

In December 2023, during the festive season, I traveled to Takoradi, Swedru, and Tema (other parades are taking place in Saltpond in August and Winneba in January) to capture images of the parade. It was an extraordinary experience to finally witness the explosion of life, pride, joy, and culture that had captivated my imagination for so many years.

This project pays homage to the profound significance of the Fancy Dress Festival of Ghana’s rich cultural identity. It brings together various cultural aspects—dance, fashion, religion, music, and history—in a celebration that reflects the kaleidoscope of a nation.

Anne-Laure Guéret