Incorporation of traditional symbols of Upper East region into fugu fabrics

Abstract

This research sought to produce fugu fabrics with traditional symbols of Upper East Region incorporated in them. The qualitative research method and the studio based research design were adopted for this research project. Both the purposive and the random sampling methods were employed in this research which made it possible to reach the respondents. Yarns of various colours such as brown, blue, white, yellow, green and cream are the main materials used in construction of the fugu fabrics in the plain weave structure with stripes. This was followed with the application of the traditional symbols through the use of a digital embroidery machine, after the symbols were transformed into embroidery stitches on the computer with CorelDraw. This research discovered that the people of Upper East Region have not documented their traditional symbols. They have totems that they used as symbols of identification. Another major finding of this research is that fugu fabrics contribute a lot to the cultural and socio-economic lives of the people as they use them for funerals, festivals and marriages and it also helps them earn good living through occupations such as weaving of the fabric, sewing and sale of smocks. In a nut shell, the modified fugu fabrics produced have rendered the fabrics more attractive and added more meaning and value to them. The researcher recommends that the various clans adopt the symbolic fugu fabrics for the performance of their traditional ceremonies. This will serve as a means of showcasing their trich culture and raditional symbols.