After exploring the story of shea butter, you’ve seen how purchases can directly support local artisans. Tamale and Northern Ghana are rich with other traditional crafts, each carrying its own history and skill. This guide takes you beyond the generic market stalls to find authentic, high-quality textiles, leather, and jewelry, ensuring your souvenirs are meaningful and your money reaches the makers.

1. Textiles & Weaving: Wearing the Fabric of the North

The vibrant patterns you see are not just fabric; they are stories and status woven into cloth.

• The Fugu (Smock): This is the iconic, loose-fitting tunic worn by men across the North. A hand-woven fugu is a masterpiece. Look for complex embroidery on the neck and chest, often telling a story or representing proverbs. The best quality ones are made from thick, hand-spun cotton.
  • Where to Find Authentic Pieces: Visit the Center for National Culture in Tamale for a selection from various cooperatives. For a direct experience, the village of Tingoli (about 45 minutes from Tamale) is renowned for its master weavers. You can watch the process on traditional looms.
• Gonja Striped Cloth: Distinctive for its bold, colorful stripes, this cotton fabric is traditionally associated with the Gonja people. It’s used for smocks, wraps, and home decor.
• Batakari (War Shirt): A historically significant garment made from strips of hand-woven fabric, lined with leather amulets (gris-gris) for spiritual protection. Authentic ones are rare and valuable; most you’ll see are decorative replicas.

2. Leatherwork: The Art of the Savannah

The nomadic heritage of the region fosters exceptional leather craftsmanship.

• Traditional Leather Bags & Pouches: Made from sturdy, locally-tanned goat or cow hide, these bags are both beautiful and durable. Look for intricate tooling and hand-stitching.
• Saddles & Footstools: Reflecting the importance of horsemanship in Dagbon culture, you can find miniature replica saddles or leather-covered footstools as unique decorative items.
• Where to Find It: The Bolga-Basket and Leather Cooperative near the Central Market has a good selection. For a workshop visit, ask a local guide to take you to a leatherworking family compound in the Lamashegu area, where you can see artisans at work.

3. Brass & Beadwork: Adornment with Meaning

Jewelry here is rarely just decorative; it signifies ethnicity, social status, or spiritual belief.

• Brass Jewelry: Using the ancient lost-wax casting method, artisans create intricate rings, bracelets, and pendants. The “fertility doll” pendants are a classic symbol.
• Glass Bead Jewelry: Old Venetian trade beads (highly prized) and new glass beads are woven into stunning necklaces. The colors and patterns often have specific meanings.
• Where to Find It: The Cultural Centre is reliable. For a wider, curated selection, visit African Heritage Shop or Tumaava’s Artisanal Collective. Be wary of very cheap, mass-produced items being sold as handmade.

🛍️ The Ethical Shopper’s Quick Guide

Craft Type	What to Look For (Authenticity)	Where to Buy Directly	Price Range (Approx.)
Hand-Woven Fugu	Thick, uneven texture; intricate hand embroidery.	Tingoli Village weavers; Cultural Centre cooperatives.	GH₵200 – GH₵600+
Gonja Cloth	Bold, colorful cotton stripes; firm feel.	Central Market textile section; Cultural Centre.	GH₵50 – GH₵150 per strip
Tooled Leather Bag	Smell of real leather; imperfect, hand-done stitching.	Lamashegu workshops; Bolga Leather Cooperative.	GH₵80 – GH₵300
Lost-Wax Brass Ring	Slight imperfections; weighty feel; unique designs.	Cultural Centre; curated craft shops in town.	GH₵30 – GH₵120

How to Shop with Respect & Purpose

• Buy Direct, When Possible: Purchasing from a cooperative, known workshop, or the Cultural Centre ensures a fairer cut goes to the artisan than buying from a generic market re-seller.
• Appreciate, Don’t Appropriate: Understand the cultural significance of what you’re buying. A batakari is not just a “cool shirt.” Ask questions and listen to the stories.
• Bargain Fairly, Not Fiercely: Haggling is expected, but do it with respect. Remember that a fair price pays for skill and time. The difference of GH₵10 means little to you but may mean a lot to the artisan.
• Pack Smart for Home: Leather and shea butter can smell strong initially. Pack them in separate zip-lock bags. Textiles can be gently hand-washed in cold water before first use to set the colors.

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Shopping for crafts in Tamale is a hunt for authenticity. It rewards the curious and the patient. By seeking out the true makers, you bypass the souvenir clutter and bring home a piece of Northern Ghana’s soul—a story of skill, tradition, and resilience that you can wear, use, and cherish.

Have you found a special artisan or craft during your travels? Share your discovery in the comments!
What should we explore next? Our series could go deeper into the history of the Dagbon Kingdom, or perhaps provide a seasonal guide to festivals and events in the North. Let us know what you’re curious about!