Abstract:
The Kete cloth is a product that is exclusive to Ghana, being fully hand woven and highly
symbolic. This weaving tradition has gained popularity in renowned communities
situated in the Volta, and other parts of the country. Kete as it is known among the Ewes
in the Volta region has a unique ability to evoke powerful emotions and symbolizes some
of the fundamental human ideas ever imagined in Africa, within Ghana. This research
seeks to discover the concepts of aesthetics, appreciation and criticism among the Ewe
Kete weavers hence its implications for Art Education. Both quantitative and qualitative
research designs were used for the study; relevant data for the study were collected using
interviews, observation and questionnaire from customers of Kete, art specialists,
students, opinion leaders, and weavers from the weaving communities in the Volta
region. Data were collected, described, interpreted, and analyzed using SPSS (Statistical
Product and Service Solutions) conclusions drawn and recommendations made for
implementation. The outcome of the study revealed that, there are basically two varieties
of Ewe Kete cloth which are Ʋusε and aɖaŋuvͻ; the weavers have their own criteria of
aesthetics, appreciation and criticism; and these are areas of study in Art Education.
Unfortunately, these somehow are neglected in the teaching of art programmes in schools
as a result of the influence of western culture on Ghanaians and students alike. As a result
of this, a gap has been created and in order not to produce educational misfits in the
Ghanaian societies; education of the people must be centered on the culture and the needs
of the people receiving it.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Music Education, School of
Creative Arts, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of degree of Master of Philosophy in (Arts and
Culture) in the University of Education, Winneba.
SEPTEMBER, 2016
