Tailors

Muslim men tailors mainly cater to a clientele of men who are Muslims or of Northern ethnicity. Those with stalls or kiosks inside Kumasi Central Market have a relatively clean and quiet section towards the back of the market, near other Muslim-associated sections. They pray together each day and one more learned tailor acts as their prayer leader. Muslim women seamstresses more often work at home or in kiosks near their homes, for a female clientele.

Many tailors and seamstresses of all ethnicities work throughout Kumasi, both inside and outside the organized markets. Customers bring in cloth that they have bought elsewhere and discuss how they want it sewn. The tailor measures them and buys thread, buttons and other trim to match. He charges for his labor depending on the complexity of the design. Some tailors make ready-made clothing for sale in the market. This is especially common for men making women's dresses.

Elaborate embroidery is an important ornamentation for formal clothes for Northern men and women both. The first embroiderers came from Hausa communities in Northern Nigeria, where embroidered gowns mark political connections. They sewed by hand, or with single-stitch treadle or handwheel sewing machines. Now most embroiderers use electric machines with embroidery attachments. Some men who cannot afford their own sewing machines specialize in hemming or buttonholes.

Twi Interviews:

Alhaji Rabiu Abubakr

Let Me Try Little by Little (2006)

As soon as we know how to do something, then you bring your child and tell us to take him and teach him that work. Sometimes I charge him; sometimes I do it for free.

Hausa Interviews:

Imam Alhaji Rabiu Abubakr

Muslims Do Not Behave Like That (2006)

You are supposed to live in mutual respect and kindness with your neighbor, if you have one, whether that neighbor is a believer or a non-believer