Narrative Study of Female Kete Weavers in Agbozume

Abstract

The kete (woven fabric) industry in Agbozume has been one of the indigenous craft centres that has been in practiced from generation to generation in the Volta region of Ghana. The craft has contributed immensely to the economic and socio-cultural development of the area. Both male and female play enormous roles in the industry.  Like many other indigenous crafts practiced in Ghana, the males dominate and are projected more than their female counterparts. Very little is known about the immense contributions females are making to the development of the industry, the society and Ghana at large.  This research work, therefore, attempts to explore and identify female kete weavers in Agbozume and its surrounding villages. It also traces the origins of the female weavers with special reference to how they acquired the kete weaving skills, the prospects of them surviving in a male dominated industry, and the role they play in terms of marketing their products. The study is a qualitatively based, which enable the researchers to understand the socio-cultural set-up by the people. The research tools employed were: interview, observation and photography. The purposive sampling technique was employed to select fourteen (14) female master weavers for the study. (For the purpose of this paper, eight (8) are presented). Their kete weaving activities were narrated individually and was presented in a narrative form. The study unearthed, that, females do not only play supporting role to their male counterparts  when it comes to kete weaving, but also practise the trade just like the males do.  This presupposes that, should they be given the necessary support, it will attract more females into the industry and employment would increase to generate more income to reduce poverty in the area.  Studies such as this would promote the many ways in which female Keke weavers are involved in the production and promotions of this indigenous craft.

Keywords: kete, (woven fabric), female, weavers