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?

Christopher Zotorglo

How old are you?

44 years.

Where do you live?

Akashito.

What is your major occupation?

Kete weaving.

How long have you been weaving?

Over 25 years.

Why did you choose kete weaving as your major occupation?

It is the only source of livelihood in my community.

How did you learn the craft?

I learnt it from my father.

What type(s) of kete do you weave?

Kpe-evee vↄ, design kete and Afevↄ.

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

I weave on order.

If you weave on order, describe the process.

I take full payment before the work begins. I have decided to do this because of my experience in which a customer took the cloth and decided not to pay the rest of my money.

What raw materials do you use in weaving?

Yarn: cotton and miran.

How do you acquire the yarn for kete weaving?

I buy it at Agbozume market.

Do you use the yarn kadada in weaving?

Yes.

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

Pyramid, bullet and cutting cake

Why do you adopt those designs?

They are the ones customers prefer.

How did you get to know the designs and patterns?

I get them from friends.

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

Very old, about 10 years.

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

They are popular, but people around this area do not wear them.

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

Yes, at areas such as Akashito and Bayikor.

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

I face the challenge of fatigue, especially waist pains; I use pain killers and take rests from weaving.

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

There is the problem of low prices for our products, while the price of yarn increases almost every week.

In your opinion, how should those problems be resolved?

We are appealing to either government or cooperate organizations to come to our aid by providing avenues for us to get the yarn at reasonable prices to enable us remain in business.

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

Kete weaving is a major source of employment in this area. That is why it is still surviving.