AGBOZUME KENTE WEAVERS ASSOCIATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

*For our purpose, Agbozume area comprises Sόme, Klikor and neighbouring Anlo communities.

*The questionnaire relates to former kete weavers and weavers currently practicing the craft.

* The questionnaire was adopted in individual interviews without the presence of other respondents.

* Date of interview: 27 December 2021.

What is your name?

Afayome Christy Tsey-Ayra.

How old are you?

56 years.

Where do you live?

Atsiwuta Tsey-Ayrakope.

What is your major occupation?

Trading, but I do kete weaving to supplement my trading business.

How long have you been weaving?

30 years.

Why did you choose kete weaving as your major occupation?

I like it. Then also I realized it is lucrative.

How did you learn the craft?

From my mother.

What type(s) of kete do you weave?

Tritriku, takpekpe le Anloga, and “free education.”

Do you weave on order, or you sell the product at Agbozume market?

I do both.

If you weave on order, describe the process.

I take full payment before the work begins, because of disappointment I suffered from customers. Some customers will renege and run away. That is why I decided not to take part payment.

What raw materials do you use in weaving?

Cotton and miran yarn.

How do you acquire the yarn for weaving?

I buy them from Agbozume market and stores around Atiʋuta.

Do you use the yarn kadada in weaving?

No, I do not know much about it.

What types of designs and patterns do you weave in kete?

Kokoku and steps.

Why do you adopt those designs?

They are the ones I can do easily.

How did you get to know the designs and patterns?

I get them through WhatsApp, and from friends.

How old are those designs and patterns that you weave in kete?

About 5 to 6 years.

How popular are they? Do people of Agbozume and neighbouring areas wear kete with those designs and patterns?

They are very popular and people around Agbozume wear them.

Have you invented any design or pattern in kete?

No.

Do you know any other women weavers? 

Yes, people like Rita Akuvi Tsey-Ayra; she has been in the business for about 20 years now.

Gloria Fomani, my own daughter who has been weaving for about 10 years.

Is kpe-evee vɔ woven today in Agbozume and neighbouring areas?

Yes, areas like Atiʋuta and Nogokpo.

What challenges do you face in practicing your craft? How do you deal with them?

I faced the problem of fatigue. For relief, I take pain killers and rest.

Are there any obstacles discouraging the kete industry in Agbozume area?

High cost of yarn while the price of kete in the market remains always the same for a long time.

In your opinion, how should those problems be resolved?

Government should come in and control the prices of yarn.

Why do you think the kete industry in Agbozume and neighbouring areas has survived up till now?

It is part of our culture. Also, it is a major source of employment for the people.