Assessment and production of alternative garments for widowhood rites in the Builsa traditional area of the Upper East Region of Ghana

Abstract

Costume design for widows in societies is a trickle down phenomenon from one ancestral generation to another. In Builsa tradition, women have undergone Widowhood Rites creating disaffection in terms of the dress code they wear. On the basis of this, the study aimed to investigate the historical evolution of the current costume and (sew garment and accessories). For this reason, the study adopted the practice based and descriptive survey technique to ascertain responses regarding the evolution of the costume. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample one hundred and twenty (120) respondents for the study. The main data collection instruments used were questionnaire and observation. The study found that the shea tree components including leaves, fruits, shea butter and bark were predominantly used by ancestors of the Builsa people as widowhood costume. Specifically, the leaves constitute the most pronounced Costume adorn by women during Widowhood Rites celebrations. Therefore, these components were identified and printed on hand woven “fugu” fabric to reflect the colours of the shea tree components and its accompanying accessories. The study recommends that traditional leader should adopt the design for mass production so that widows can have access to them any time they are in need. The designs should also be adopted and used by widow to bring about sanity and also preserve the nudity of widows.