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: 30 December 2021.

What is your name?

Agbota Yehowa Kportikla

How old are you?

50 years.

Where do you live?

Sonuto.

What is your major occupation?

Kete weaving.

How long have you been weaving?

About 40 years.

Why did you choose kete weaving as your major occupation?

Kete weaving is a major occupation left behind for us by our forefathers.

How did you learn the craft?

I was taught by my father through observation and practice. I started by spinning yarn for my father and my uncles. Then later, they asked me to start practicing whenever they were resting.

What type(s) of kete do you weave?

Haliwoe, Fiawoyome, Ahiakpoemita, Atsimorta and Novi.

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 would receive part of the money before the work starts. The rest of the money is paid to me after the work is completed.

What raw materials do you use in weaving?

Fⴢkpavi yarn and cotton.

How do you acquire the yarn for kete weaving?

I buy it from Agbozume market.

Do you use the yarn kadada in weaving?  

Yes.

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

Loƒodo, sikakpabe, suklikpe and ashi.

Why do you adopt those designs?

It depends on what the customer wants.

How did you get to know the designs and patterns?

I learnt most of them from my father and also some from my friends.

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

Over 30 years.

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

They are really popular and few people wear them.

Do you know any women weavers?

Yes, women like Ami Remember; she has been in the business for the past 5 years.

Also, Abla Dorgbefu who has been weaving for about 6 years now.

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

Yes, places such as Sonuto, Kpedzakope and Srohume.

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

General bodily pains, particularly waste pains. For relief, I use pain killers.

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

Frequent increases in the prices of yarn, yet the prices of our products remain the same for a very long time.

In your opinion, how should those problems be resolved?

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

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

It is because kete business is a major source of livelihood for many people.

What is the importance of Agbozume market in the kete industry of southern Volta Region of Ghana?

The market is of little significance to kete weavers. This is because the market has become a money-making machine for a few people who claim they are middlemen. They extort money from weavers under the pretext of language barrier. Not until these men are removed from the market, some of us can never sell our products at Agbozume market again.