Clothing accessories: a vehicle for promoting the Ewe cultural symbolism in Ghana

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Date
MARCH, 2016
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Abstract
The Ewe ethnic group among many other ethnic groups in Ghana have a cultural identity which is embedded in their symbols. Most of these cultural symbols are derived from their proverbs and life events. There are present modes through which these symbols are promoted yet, most Ewes are oblivious to the existence of these cultural symbols. This can be attributed to the low efficacy of the present modes for promoting the Ewe cultural symbols. It is for this reason that the researcher sought to identify various Ewe cultural symbols and use these symbols in the design and production of clothing accessories which would serve as an effective means of promoting these symbols. The objectives set for the study were to identify and describe existing proverbial symbols and proverbs within the Ewe culture, to generate some Ewe proverbial symbols from selected existing Ewe proverbs as well as to design and produce clothing accessories embellished with selected Ewe proverbial symbols. The qualitative research approach, employing the descriptive, case study and library research methods was used to gather data from 114 respondents. Interviews, participant observations and questionnaire aided in data collection. The data retrieved were analysed, discussed and interpret. Per the study, eighty- five Ewe cultural symbols were accessed from respondents within the Klikor- Agbozume community and its surrounding villages as well as from literary works. The names and meanings of the symbols were collated into a chart. An additional fifteen proverbial symbol was generated by the researcher from Ewe proverbs. From the data collected in the course of this study, the researcher found out that the majority of those who were conversant with the symbols were the traditional rulers and elders. Most of the younger ones were oblivious to what the Ewe proverbial symbols were. The researcher also realized that an outstanding percentage of local craftsmen comprising of kete weavers, local architects, carpenters and dressmakers, who used the symbols in their works did not know the relevance and meanings of Ewe cultural symbols. iv The researcher therefore recommends that a chart of the Ewe cultural symbols made should be displayed in museums, libraries, cultural and social centres for educational purposes. Product designers are encouraged to translate more symbols into other artefacts aside clothing accessories to help in the promotion of the symbols.
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A Project Report submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF Philosophy in Integrated Art (Fibres and Fabrics Technology) Faculty of Arts College of Art and Built Environment.
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