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?

Mawuli Zotorglo.

How old are you?

31 years.

Where do you live?

Bayikↄ.

What is your major occupation?

Kete weaving.

How long have you been weaving?

About 20 years.

Why did you choose kete weaving as your major occupation?

I was born in the midst of kete weavers, then also kete weaving is the major source of employment among the people in my locality.

How did you learn the craft?

I was taught by my father.

What type(s) of kete do you weave?

Batakari kete, kpe-evee and silk design kete.

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

I sell my product at Agbozume market.

What raw materials do you use in weaving?

Yarn: miran and cotton.

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?

Ɖↄnuku (net), yiga and Obama.

Why do you adopt those designs?

They are the types customers requested.

How did you get to know the designs and patterns?

I got to know them through the help of friends.

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

They are a bit old; they have been in existence for about eight years.

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

Very popular and people from Agbozume do wear them.

Do you know any women weavers? 

Yes, Emily Dzirado; she has been in the business for about 30 years.

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

I do not have any idea.

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

Yes, in my area Bayikↄ and Kashito.

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

Tiredness, especially waste pains. I do take pain killers and good rest for relief.

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

There is the high cost of materials especially the common yarn which is cotton. Then also, middlemen called bojaboja extort weavers under the pretense of helping them communicate with customers in the course of selling their products. These are the two main obstacles weavers face in the market, especially the issue of middlemen. We are passionate about this and would be grateful if anyone can intervene and help weavers.

In your opinion, how should those problems be resolved?

Good, this is what I have been waiting for because it seems nobody cares about the plight of kete weavers in Agbozume. First, we would be glad if government can subsidize the cost of buying the yarn to help us stay in business. Also, we want the market to be free from middlemen as early as possible; in fact, we are sort of tired of their activities in the market.

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

It is because kete weaving is the major source of income for majority of people in these areas.