Eurgh. We're going to have to talk about Sistah Fulani, aren't we? Ok, let's go. Marlene Headley is a British Chancer of Caribbean origin, caricaturing African culture + heritage, right down to a made up name & in the process revealing a lot about British condescending ignorance
Let's start with the name "Ngozi Fulani" 🙄🤡. Ngozie is an Igbo name, meaning Blessing. In Africa, we don't just go about willy, nilly picking names out of a hat. Every name has a meaning, revealing exactly which part of Africa you are from, whether you are male or female, etc
Most times when I hear an African name, I can tell you what part of the continent they are from: South, West, East, etc. Why has a Woman from Barbados appropriated a Nigerian Igbo name, then paired it with a name of a tribe? That was my first inkling there was something off.
The Fula/ Fulani people are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Sahel and West Africa, widely dispersed across the region. They are also predominantly Muslim Most Nigerian Igbo's are Christian. Catholic, to be precise. Generally, those two tribes do not intermarry.
Also, most Fula people don't generally have the name of the tribe as their surname? Additionally, whilst dreadlocks are becoming more popular, it's more likely to be widely seen in Caribbean, than African nations. And don't insult us, Marlene's attire was NOT "African" 😳.
African attire is beautiful, colourful. Sometimes accompanied with magnificent headgear. Not some drab, leopard print dress easily found in any English high street store, combined with some cowrie shells probably sourced from ebay. Let's be frank, Africa represents!
The Cowrie shells and the outfit would have told any African, this woman aint "African". Invite a Ghanaian to Bucks Palace, I guarantee you, you will see some Kente, AND some Beads or Gold. Nigerians too have some amazing couture, and so do many African nations.
@MsGiveZeroFox Very very true I've seen some African designers of even Western inspired formal dresses that are shockingly beautiful. The standard in Africa seems to be quite high especially for formal dress.