Socio-Cultural and Economic Importance of Kete Weaving in Agortime Traditional Area, Ghana

Abstract

Aims: The study investigated the socio-cultural and economic importance of Ewe Kete cloth to the people. It aimed at finding out how the Kete weaving developed as a vocation in the Agortime traditional area, the socio-cultural and economic significance of Kete weaving to the people and how the Kete weaving was incorporated into the teaching and learning processes in the various educational institutions in the Agortime traditional area. Study Design: The study employed the quantitative approach using descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: This study was conducted among the weaving communities in the Agortime-Kpetoe traditional area from February 2019 to November 2019. Methodology: The simple random sampling technique was used to sample the 100 male Kete weavers. Self-designed questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. Reliability analysis of the questionnaire showed high reliability with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.86. The quantitative data were descriptively analyzed and presented in tables as frequency counts and percentages using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The study revealed that Kete weaving industry is a source of employment, income, clothing and socio-cultural identity to the people. The findings of this study revealed that Kete weaving and usage features prominently during lessons involving Basic Design and Technology, Religious and Moral Education as well as Social Studies in schools within Agortime-Kpetoe traditional area. Conclusion: It was recommended, among others, that financial institutions in the North Dayi District should provide credit facilities and financial support services to Kete weavers and sellers to enable them expand their industry and business activities. Also, the North Dayi District Assembly in liaison with the Small Scale and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Commission should provide credit facilities and financial support services to Kete weavers and other rural crafts to pave way for sustainable rural development.