Ukwon African (?) hat

[Jim McDougall]

Interesting item of cultural heritage, and while of course may be seen as simply a hat, it also reflects important heritage, status and often certain tribal and even religious symbolism. The Fulbe tribes are nomadic herders and often enter many regions in West Africa but are primarily situated in Ghana/Ashanti.

These hats are called NGOPPO in the Fulfulde language , and of course were for protection from sun in their travels and herding activity, but gained the more iconic status through being ubiquitous and of course personalizing.

I once knew a Fulani man named Amadou, who was one of the most friendly and delightful men I ever knew. In Ghana, where he was from (he always termed his people Fulani) along with rich cultural heritage, there is a most important code of conduct called pulaaku, in which the key elements are patience, self control and respect for others.
Amadou was a perfect example of this, I never saw him not smiling, polite, courteous, and pretty much the epitome of this code.

How great if only this code were more inherent everywhere

The picture is of their majesties Laamiido Osman and Sarauniya Ameenata of Ghana-Ashanti. Note the ngoppo (hat) on wall upper right.