Innovative weave structures integrating Asante kente weave designs into the northern fugu fabric weaves

Abstract

Ghana’s traditions of weaving include the Kente, the fugu traditions as well as the kete. The Kente is identified as woven by the Asantes with other versions created by the Ewes in the Volta region (kete), while the fugu fabric is the work of some Northern ethnic groups. The traditional weaving is wide spread among many ethnic groups. The traditional weaving industry in Ghana is an example of such industry which has seen little change over a period of time. Some attempts have been made in the past to bring some changes to the traditions of weaving in Ghana. This project is an additional effort to suggest some changes to the way traditional weaving of the kente and the fugu fabrics are done by introducing an Innovative Weave Structure. This was done in order to contribute to the concept of national unity and cohesion which is continually being forged through academic discussions and socio-political media engagements. The project sought to, integrate the weave structures of Northern fugu fabric and the Ashante kente into a common weave structure. The approach of the study was qualitative research method and practice-based research approach, which is original research undertaken with a view to gaining new knowledge partly through practice and the results of that practice and instrument used to collect data were mainly interviewed (one-to-one) and participant observation with players in the traditional weaving industry and then some secondary data. The scope of the study covered selected indigenous weaving centres in the Ashanti and Upper East Regions of Ghana. The population of the study was limited to nine weaving centres in both regions mostly weavers from Bolgatanga craft village, Namoo, Yeliwungo, Bonwire, Adanwomase, Bepoase, Ntonso, Tewobabi and Wonoo. The concepts under investigation included research into various types of woven fabrics in the two regions that is kente and fugu fabrics. The findings of this study suggest that the researcher