Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
The NFL player that wears traditional African wear to football games
His name is Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Today, we’re going to go through the top 10 looks which has the western press asking what he’s wearing next and the African press thanking him for uplifting his ancestors tradition.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, is an American football linebacker. He plays for the NFL team Cleveland Browns. Jeremiah grew up in Hampton, Virginia with his Floridian mum and Ghanaian dad.
Despite being born in the United States, Owusu-Koramoah tries to embody his ancestors every day.
Let’s have a look at how he has become the poster child for African representation by going through our Top 10 favourite African looks from Jeremiah’s game days this season.
10: Coming in at number 10 is the traditional Ghana embroidered kente look, dubbed the Obama Kente fabric. Its so colourful and vibrant it really catches the eye. The name Obama kente was given to it when Obama! yes the former US president was gifted it when he visited Ghana in 2009. This kente is normally put on for occasions. Big personalities like the king of Ashanti sometimes puts it on per the occasion. This kente can also be called “Otumfour”, after the king of Ashanti. A fabric fit for royalty
9: coming in at number 9, Jeremiah’s second look takes direct inspiration from the Saharan nomads where Hausa Men of the far north traditionally wear a long tunic and long embroidered robes. There are many names for it but most know this attire as a daraa or boubou in this region. It’s paired with a head wrap with the appearance of both a veil and a turban. This unique head wrap style is said to originates from the belief that the head wrapping and face covering wards off evil spirits but most can also agree that its basic function is to protect against the sun, as well as the frequent sandstorms of the region. Talk about Practical and chic
This particular attire is common among the Touareg , Fulani, Hausa people covering Northern Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Mauritania .
8: coming in at number 8 Jeremiah pulls up next with this Senegalese look called Ndiakhass. The idea behind this looks from the baye fall people is the use and stitch of different fabrics coming from different areas. It’s a fun multicolour cloth which helps with the visual representation story of Joseph and the multicolour coat gifted by his father in the bible.This looks really takes on an artistic side of African wear Because it’s fun, colourful and reflects the beauty in african fabrics.
7: coming in at number 7 Jeremiah wears this checkered look which is somewhat poetic in the sense that Jeremiah is of Ghanaian decent and as Ghanaian the pattern screams a “Ghana must go” bag. A reach? Perhaps. But it was a phrase coined by the Nigeria people towards Ghanaian migrants as they left in a very specific patterned plastic travel bag. Jeremiah seems to have a concoction of symbolism within this look. The head wrap and face cover from the travelling Saharan nomads makes a return. And he displays a Ghana adinkra symbol on his chest called Gye Nyame means “except for God,” It’s from the idea people should not fear anything except for God or only God can. This fit really come with some knowledge and a harmonious collaboration of different cultures including his very own
6: coming in at number 6 Jeremiah shows up in the men’s mini agbada, bubu, kaftan style which seems to be recognised as the traditional wear of the Yuroba people called Aso-Òkè paired with the matching Fila cap. Meterial aside, This particular look has its own unique touch in a few countries just like the Senegal, Gambian, Nigerian and Ghanaian Jollof wars, we’re not getting involved. So if this look is similar to one in your tribe and country , represent that flag in the comments below.
5: coming in at number 5 is this forest green full abagda paired with black smart shoes to match the black shirt and tie putting a little twist to the look.
Agbada is a traditional robe of the Yoruba men of West Africa. It comes with an innercloth of different lengths and bottoms in a form of native trousers paired with a native caps like you see here.
Agbada is somewhat similar to the grand boubou/ Babanriga, (rega) but is different in looks, style, shape, fabrics and materials used and are quite distinguishable. Agbada usually features native embroidery but there will be variations based on the country you come from
4: Coming in at number 4, the inspo for this look continues with this purple Banbanriga and boubou style attire. You can also class this as the Nigerian Agbada in shape.
The look is usually worn by elders, traditional and religious leaders, and other inviduals in the society. It
became widespread among West African Muslims with the migration of Hausa, Fulani long-distance traders and Islamic preachers in and around Muslim regions of West Africa
21 авг 2024
