Otofo is worn as part of a puberty rite performed by the Ga people of Ghana, marking the initiation of teenage girls into womanhood. Beyond its role in that ceremony, the costume is also used to perform the Otofo dance itself, a tradition that continues to be passed down within the community.

Closely linked to it is Kpatsa Otofo, considered the principal traditional entertainment music and dance of the Dangme and Ga-Adangme people of southern Ghana. Historically, the dance has been associated with puberty rites and rituals, and according to community tradition, it is believed to have first been performed by dwarfs.

The dance itself is defined by sideways and forward shuffling movements, built around short, brisk steps performed with the body slightly bent, as the dancer moves diagonally and backward across the floor.

Traditions like Otofo offer a window into the depth and diversity of Ghana’s cultural heritage, alongside the many customs practised across its different ethnic communities.