Beauty Queen Ashlei Watson Showcases Bark Cloth, Busuti at Miss Global 2022 in Indonesia

Ashlei Watson, who is representing Uganda as Miss Global Uganda 2021 for the crown of Miss Global 2022, has showcased traditional wear to market the country’s culture.

According to the beauty queen, the best way to showcase Uganda as the Pearl of Africa was through her traditional ensemble.

It was designed by Uganda’s designer, Agnes Agimo.

The traditional dress is a combination of both modern day fashion and ancient traditional Buganda folk wear.

It is made up of bark cloth (the outer layer of bark of a ficus tree predominantly grown in Bukomansimbi), busuti (gomesi) and the Kikoyi (underneath to firm the cloth), American satin, cowrie shells (first money used in Uganda and Africa at large) and decorative stones.

The 27-year-old American model who was born and raised in New York, is representing Uganda after adopting it as her country of heritage.

This year’s event is being held in Bali Indonesia.

Ashlei Watson previously won the Miss New Jersey Earth 2018 crown.

According to her, winning the Miss Jersey contest opened her heart up for mentorship.

Miss Global is an annual global beauty pageant for single women ages 18–35, the widest age range in pageantry.

Contestants compete for the crown of Miss Global on an international platform.

In February 2019, Miss Global held its 6th anniversary pageant in Manila, Philippines, which attracted more than 60 female contestants from more than 60 countries around the world.

As a result of a controversial ending held in Oxaca, Mexico, the competition was temporarily suspended after January 18, 2020.