Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Here’s a thoughtful and culturally informed funeral fashion in Ghana, blending traditional insight with modern fashion commentary, We have the right to take your baby away, Travelling and pads, and Polo Beach Club

Here’s a thoughtful and culturally informed funeral fashion in Ghana, blending traditional insight with modern fashion commentary. In Ghana, funerals are not just about death—they're about honoring life. The fashion seen at these events is a form of visual storytelling: about the deceased, the family left behind, and the culture that holds it all together. It’s a way of showing that grief, though heavy, can be borne with dignity and grace. Fabric and Symbolism Kente: Though often reserved for joyous occasions, some mourners wear dark-coloured Kente patterns—especially if the deceased was a royal, elder, or someone of high status. Adinkra Cloth: This is perhaps the most symbolic funeral fabric. Originally hand-stamped with symbols that represent proverbs and values, black and dark red Adinkra cloths carry deep meaning. Symbols like “Eban” (safety/security) or “Dwanimen” (humility) are commonly featured. Lace and Satin: Contemporary funeral fashion among urban Ghanaians now includes Western-inspired black lace dresses, tailored suits, and satin gowns. These often come in custom cuts, keeping the traditional spirit but adding modern flair. Accessories: Understated, But Significant. Headwraps (Duku): Women often wear matching headwraps tied in dramatic styles. These are not just decorative—they're symbolic crowns of mourning and respect. Jewelry: Gold jewelry is rare at funerals unless the event celebrates an elder. Simple pearls, black beads, or silver accessories are preferred. Men often wear beads or symbolic rings. Shoes: Modesty is key. Simple leather sandals or closed shoes are preferred. In some regions, especially among the Ga, people may even go barefoot for certain rites. Modern Twists on Traditional Mourning Wear; Ghana’s younger generation is finding ways to honor tradition while expressing individuality. Tailored jumpsuits, structured blazers, and custom-made dresses are now common at funerals in Accra, Kumasi, and other urban centers. Influencers and fashion designers have even begun to showcase “mourning couture” on social media, proving that even in grief, Ghanaians dress with intention and identity. So next time you find yourself at a Ghanaian funeral, know this—every thread, every colour, and every fold of cloth means something.

We have the right to take your baby away. I just found out that Denmark has a law which allows the government to take away your child, your baby, if you fail “the parenting competence test”. I can understand that when an idiot delivers you want someone else to take care of the child, but apart from clear idiots, who again would fail that test and have to give her new born baby away? Right now there are protests going on because some feel that the test is not suitable for certain minorities who socially have different criteria, norms than the average Dane. So for the others it's ok? Your child must be brought up in a certain way? These Scandinavians have ways of thinking which are scary, Sweden used to forcefully sterilize women who did not fit the norm from 1936 to 1976. Greener pastures?

Travelling and pads. It is the holiday season and some of us are travelling far. Quite some excitement, tickets, bookings, packing of luggage, money, a whole lot of things. And if your monthly flow is nicely regular you know what to expect and when. No, you don’t. Emotions can influence the regularity of your flow and some get 2 flows during a 3 weeks holidays. So better pack sufficient pads into your suitcase, they don’t weigh much, and put some into your hand luggage. Then you don’t have to explain to the hotel receptionist with sign language and gestures that you are looking for a shop that sells absorbente per donne, or damenbinden, or servietttes periodiques.

Polo Beach Club. Number one, La Rd, Labadi beach hotel, Accra. They make quite some noise in the media, the latest ones being the inauguration of a Malian Bógólan mural, and a court case with the Labadi Beach Hotel for trespassing and noise making. We went to see the Bógólan wall. One parks some distance away from the first entrance because near the entrance area is under a court injunction or so, and one is then transported with one of these Indian motorized rickshaws behind some different beach bars to the real main entrance. Here one is welcomed and asked for the reservation and the male then undergoes a body search, ladies do not carry bombs or weapons in this place. And whilst the reservation I made couldn't be found, and although the place is virtually empty on this Tuesday evening the hostess insists and keeps us waiting for a reason I do not understand. Finally we are seated and I ask for a menu but I have to scan a QR code. Which does not work. Anyway, if you go to Polo Beach Club make sure you have data. And a reservation. And the name of the person who accepted the reservation. The waiter helps us out, he has the menu on his phone. So we order. To be told they don't have what we order, the menu on the waiters phone is outdated. We order a pizza Margarita, an absolute classic, and shredded beef mango. But it is a bit difficult to order without a menu, especially if one shot of vodka comes at 50 GHS but they don't have that, and the next one goes for GHS 100 per shot, and water goes for 30 GHS a bottle, and it is not clear if that includes taxes or not. The shredded beef was OK, the pizza not bad but not a Margarita, which comes with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves and a thin crispy bottom. This visit cost me 660 GHS, which I felt was far from worth it, though the wall was nice. Champagne at 14000 GHS a bottle and searches for weapons really made me wonder what sort of people are the regular visitors here. On the way back we were told that that rickshaw driver's shift had ended at 9:30 pm, not too good news if you then have to do about 500 yards on a gravel path, on your new 3 inch heels.

Lydia...

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