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: 28 December 2021.

What is your name?

Kwadzo Avortri.

How old are you?

52 years.

Where do you live?

Nogokpo.

What is your major occupation?

I do farming, which is seasonal but weaving is my second major occupation.

How long have you been weaving?

I have been weaving for the past 30 years.

Why did you choose kete weaving as a major occupation?

This is because it is a generational job left behind by my forebears, and it is also lucrative.

How did you learn the craft?

I learnt the craft from my father, through observation and practicing.

What type(s) of kete do you weave?

I weave design kete, kpe-evee vↄ and afevↄ such as takpekpe le Anloga and haliwoe

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

Sometimes I weave on order, other times I sell my product at Agbozume market. I also send some through middlemen to Kumasi, Kejetia market.

If you weave on order, describe the process.

In most cases, part payment is made before the job begins. After the work is done then, the rest of the money is paid by the customer. Sometimes I collect full payment before the job begins.

What raw materials do you use in weaving?

I use yarn: cotton and silk.

How do you acquire the yarn for kete weaving?

I buy it at Agbozume market and retail stores at Nogokpo.

Do you use the yarn kadada in weaving?

Yes.

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

Ɖoɖovi, awusaba, and tekpakpe.

Why do you adopt those designs?

They are the ones usually ordered by customers.

How did you get to know the designs and patterns?

I learnt some from my friends through observation. Also, I got to know about some when I was doing kete weaving in Nigeria.

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

They are about 15 years and over.

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

They are very popular and can be seen in every part of Agbozume. Some people around Agbozume wear them but not often. They wear them during times of Sometsutsuza (festival) or during installation of chiefs, and in marriage ceremonies.

Have you invented any design or pattern in kete?

No. But I know Nana Kwadzo, who invented a design in 2006. This design has no actual name but is in the form of a tree with branches and leaves. He made the design based on a request from a customer. After the first piece was sent to the customers, about 20 male and female full pieces were ordered and some of us assisted him to finish the work on time. After that, other people adopted that design. It means that there was a positive effect after his innovation. He is still alive and lives in Accra. Unfortunately, I do not have any sample of the design.

Do you know any women weavers?  

Yes, women like Mary Avortri, about 2 years in the business; she is at Nogokpo. Hodetsi Nancy, also at Nogokpo, has been in the business for about 20 to 30 years now. Similarly, Mary Hodetsi has been in the weaving business for about 20 years.

What should we know about kete designs and patterns and their development over the years in Agbozume?

Most weavers develop new designs based on pictures they see in books, newspapers and magazines. Also, weavers develop new ideas based on current situations or issues trending. Example, there is a design called Obama developed at the time the former US president was elected into power. There is another one called “free education” which also emerged at the time Free Senior High School (SHS) policy was introduced by the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of Ghana.

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

Yes, at places like Nogokpo, Kugbagokope, Sonuto, and Atiʋuta.

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

There is the problem of frequent increase in the price of yarn. The prices of our kete do not correspond with the frequent increase in the price of yarn. This is affecting our business, at times making it difficult for us to break even.

Also, there is no international market for us. We solely depend on Agbozume market which sometimes disappoint us.

In your opinion, how should those problems be resolved?

Government and cooperate organizations should assist weavers by stabilizing the prices of yarn or better still establish a wholesale yarn factory or store in Agbozume to enable us stay in business.

In addition, we need an international market on the internet to augment the Agbozume marketplace. This will make it possible for foreigners to know about our beautiful Agbozume kete. There are great design innovators who also needed to be recognized.

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

The industry still exists because it is a major source of employment to majority of the people in Agbozume area. It is better than staying idle.