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: 29 December 2021.

What is your name?

Mensah Ahiavordi.

How old are you?

51 years.

Where do you live?

Bayikor.

What is your major occupation?

Corn milling, but I also weave kete.

How long have you been weaving?

33 years.

Why did you choose kete weaving as your major occupation?

It is a source of livelihood.

How did you learn the craft?

I was taught by my father.

What type(s) of kete do you weave?

Aŋↄba, takpekpe le Anloga and kpe-evee vↄ.

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

I do both.

If you weave on order, describe the process.

After settling on the type of cloth, the customer and I negotiate an agreed price. I purchase the materials and weave the cloth and the customer collects the cloth and pay immediately.

What raw materials do you use in weaving?

Yarn: cotton and miran.

How do you acquire the yarn for kete weaving?

I buy it from Agbozume market.

Do you use the yarn kadada in weaving?  

Yes, I used it in the past.

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

The designs I weave do not have any particular names. One of them is “free education” and another is “Kuffour.”

Why do you adopt those designs?

Customers like them.

How did you get to know the designs and patterns?

I got some from my friends.

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

They are new designs.

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

Not very popular and people around Agbozume do not wear them.

Do you know any women weavers?

Emily Dzirado; she has been weaving for over 10 years.

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

Yes, places like Bayikↄ, Kpedzakↄfe and Daʋukↄfe.

What challenges do you face in practicing your craft?

I experience fatigue, and I take pain killers and also rest for relief.

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

There is the problem of high cost of yarn.

In your opinion, how should the problem be resolved?

Government and other authorities should help weavers to acquire yarn at affordable price.

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

It is a major source of employment for the people.