An Analysis of Akwete Cloth Production in Nigeria by Woman

AKWETE CLOTH
AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE THAT IGBO WOMEN PLAY IN CONTRIBUTING TO LOCAL

ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT THROUGH AKWETE CLOTH PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA
Abstract
I, Mamello Bolofo, 217292380, understand that plagiarism is wrong because it is
pretending that someone else’s work is my own. I declare that this assignment, is my
own work.
Where I have used the thoughts, ideas, words and intellectual property of others, I have
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Signed: Date:
Mamello Bolofo
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An analysis of the role that Igbo women play in contributing to local economic upliftment
through Akwete cloth production in Nigeria
whats is
Akwete cloth?
Role of
how is the Women in the
Akwete cloth Growth of the
weaved Traditional
Igbo Economy
Akwete cloth
what are raw

what are different
materials used to
motifs sused dby
manufacture or
Akwete cloth
produce Akwete
weavers
cloth
how is Akwete
cloth worn
Table of Contents
Context .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3
about Akwete material ................................................................................................................................. 3
Materials Used for Production the material ................................................................................................. 4
How is the material made or weaved? ......................................................................................................... 4
How is the material used and utilized? ......................................................................................................... 5
Themes and Patterns used on the production of the material .................................................................... 6
role that Igbo women play in contributing to local economic upliftment through Akwete cloth
production..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Bibliography .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 1 finished product of an Akwete material ......................................................................................... 4

Figure 2 Akwete fabric being woven by skilled artisans. .............................................................................. 5
Figure 3 shows how Akwete cloth is worn ................................................................................................... 5
Figure 4 Themes and Patterns used on the production of the material ...................................................... 6
Figure 5 The Akwete weaving community is run by a women-led co-operative ......................................... 7
Context
Cultural materials are believed to function agents of socialization. The Akwete material of
Indoki individuals was investigated thus as realize associate improved mechanism towards
developing rural touristy within the space. The meant objective was to assess its suitableness or
otherwise, as a way of financial condition reduction, particularly among girls and youths
supported repositioning Akwete ancient weaving business for traveler charm. A qualitative
methodology, SWOT analysis, and world town theory were expounded. Results gathered from
an interview conducted showed that there would be important improvement when the
prevailing cultural resources are expeditiously utilized, infrastructures an improved upon for
rural touristy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria through, and development of higher for
weaving, thereby aid in financial condition reduction and authorization of ladies and youths in
the region. However, potential weaknesses like the usage of domestically invented handlooms,
tolerance within the job by youths (men or women), poor demand of the merchandise,
European impact, etc. were highlighted as factors militating against the improvement of
Akwete weaving business and its touristy potentials. The write-up could be a pragmatic step
towards the achievement of financial condition alleviation and promotion of touristy within the
space.
Introduction
Apparel is one of the fundamental needs of each individual living on the planet. In Igbo land
different endeavors to fulfill this need had occurred. One of these was what utilized the bark of
trees for garments. Barks of trees were sliced and beaten to make it high and adaptable for use
to cover one's exposure. This was a non-woven material. Another push to create garments
utilized non-spun strands, for example, the raffia palm fiber. At the point when these materials
were gathered they were altogether beaten, destroyed and crushed until they were delicate
and stringy. A short time later, they were handled into pieces of textures for use in covering the
body.
about Akwete material

Akwete fabric alludes explicitly to the material woven in the Ndoki town of Akwete in Ukwa
East Local Government Area of Abia State. It initially known as 'Akwa Miri', which means
'material of the water' or towel. Akwete fabric is an interesting handwoven material created in
Igbo land. The conventional Igbo weaving as exhibited in Akwete forms sisal-hemp, raffia and
spun cotton into completed items. While the coarse raffia materials are utilized by disguises
and in the past as headgear for warriors among different uses, the hemp material was utilized
to weave towels, robes, and purses. The more agreeable and bright spun cotton is utilized to
weave material for ordinary wearing. The Akwete material is a hand-woven texture from the
Akwete region, close to Aba in Abia State. This weaving custom is viewed as old as the Igbo
country.
Figure 1 finished product of an Akwete material
Materials Used for Production the material

The materials utilized in the generation of Akwete fabric are as per the following, loom, heddle,
blender or sword, yarn or twine or metal spatula, rope, transport and wax. Ladies typically tie
the material as a fold over skirt like wrapper with a shirt of lightweight machine-made texture.
The fabric is generally woven two by two and the Igbo ladies wear the two wrappers on open
events, the first attached to arrive at the lower leg and the second one to mid-calf length.
While the Men utilize the texture to sew customary shirts prevalently known as jumper, Wokor,
or Etibo. These they wear over pants for extraordinary events. The material may likewise be
woven in littler variants that could be utilized as draperies, pad, table, platform, or bed
blankets.
How is the material made or weaved?

Crude materials used to make Akwete fabric incorporate fleece, cotton, silk, raffia (a kind of
palm), hemp and tree rind. The four primary examples in Akwete material include:
 Etirieti, which is fairly plain and made up of generally stripes and squares
 Akpukpa, an energetic example that is regularly obtained by outsiders
 Ahia, a somewhat intricate structure that is constrained by the quantity of heddles (a rope
or wire that the string goes through).
 Ogbanaonweya, a mind boggling design utilized most by the Akwete people group itself.
There are two sorts of loom, horizontal for men and vertical for ladies, however traditionally,
ladies dealt with the Akwete material making. In the beginning of fabric weaving, the men of
Igboland angled and the ladies made the fabric from nearby materials.
Ladies who make Akwete material as a rule start doing as such at a youthful age. The Akwete
people group considers material weaving to be a blessing you're brought into the world with.
Little youngsters start weaving material when their arms are long enough to work the linger
and make segments that range from 15-to-30 inches wide. As their arms develop and reinforce,
they weave materials up to 50 inches’ wide.
Figure 2 Akwete fabric being woven by skilled artisans.
How is the material used and utilized?

Akwete fabric is are worn two by two in what's known as a "here and there" style, one material is folded
over the midsection and another under the arms. Be that as it may, Akwete ladies some of the time
utilize only one extremely wide fabric to frame a dress.
Akwete fabric is additionally customarily utilized in disguises or other significant occasions, for example,
weddings, chieftaincy services, and funerals. The especially coarse material clutches expound
embellishments and colors well. Nonetheless, the milder, progressively agreeable rendition made for
the most part of cotton is worn calmly in ordinary circumstances.
Figure 3 shows how Akwete cloth is worn

Themes and Patterns used on the production of the material
Akwete weavers guarantee that there are over a hundred themes in presence. It's accepted
that the plans are uncovered to the weavers by the divine beings. Along these lines, every
weaver has unwritten copyright for their structure which no other craftsman is allowed to
duplicate. The themes are named after their appearance and frequently assume a job in
economic wellbeing. A few plans are saved for eminence, for example, the tortoise theme
called 'Ikaki'. With slow and purposeful developments, the tortoise is considered to have ruler
like characteristics. On the off chance that a non-illustrious wore this plan they would be
rebuffed or sold into bondage. At that point there is the 'Ebe' structure which is viewed as a
defensive charms perfect for pregnant ladies and warriors.
With regards to designs, there are four principle ones utilized in Akwete fabrics. There is the
plain 'Etirieti', which is comprised of stripes and squares. The energetic 'Akpukpa', the complex
'Ahia' and in conclusion, the multifaceted 'Ogbanaonweya'. In contrast to the Kente and
Barkcloth that was made by men, Igbo ladies generally dealt with Akwete weaving. They would
start when their arms were long enough to work the loom. It can take a long time to weave one
of these wide perfect works of art.
Figure 4 Themes and Patterns used on the production of the material

role that Igbo women play in contributing to local economic upliftment
through Akwete cloth production
Ladies weavers, just as brokers managing on woven fabrics, had some beneficial outcomes in
the general public. Through their endeavors, different structures of fabrics were accessible at
the business sectors in Igbo land. This instilled in the individuals the way of life of apparel their
bodies, rather than moving about uncovered. In Igbo land, Weaving was a suitable wellspring of
salary. Income from weaving helped the ladies to attempt extends in light of a legitimate
concern for their families and networks. A few weavers helped their spouses monetarily in their
ranch works. They likewise helped in preparing their kids in schools and setting up great houses
for their families.
The accessible proof shows that lady’s jobs in the Igbo economy extend from very dynamic
interest in farming development and nourishment preparing to assembling and showcasing.
During the 1930s, Leith-Ross was dazzled enough to state that The provincial managers came to
Nigeria with western sexual orientation generalizations.
Their treatment of Nigerian ladies depended on thoughts regarding lady’s delicacy and reliance.
Western instruction was proposed to create great spouses and moms and to empower ladies to
run issues at home, as the job of ladies was viewed as in the household circle. In customary
Igbo society, in any case, the idea of a full-time housewife was obscure, and in the provincial
time frame, Igbo ladies kept on working outside the household circle, as in the past.
Figure 5 The Akwete weaving community is run by a women-led co-operative
Conclusion
From the above discourse, the respectable and irreplaceable jobs of ladies in the development
of the Igbo economy throughout the hundreds of years become clear and uncovering. In for all
goals and purposes of each part of the economy, ladies assumed some powerful jobs in
sustaining and building up the assets and financial possibilities of Igbo land to lucky statures.
The generation procedure, just as the business systems of the economy, saw consistent and
exceptional development under the urgent quality of the womenfolk. A few factors were
answerable for this. The tireless and persevering character of the Igbo ladies was a significant
factor.
Igbo culture including the religion made arrangement for opportunity of development, love,
just as opportunity for anybody to attempt any authentic monetary exercises. This shaped the
premise of the aggressive soul among Igbo ladies. It was this soul that gingered the ladies to
dive into different financial endeavors with a decided soul of progress and brilliant
accomplishments. With the above mentality, combined with the idea of the financial condition
the Igbo got themselves, the ladies made monster walks in the major monetary segments of
Igbo land to be specific farming, neighborhood ventures, and artworks and business from the
pre-frontier to the post-pioneer periods.
Bibliography
Aronson, L. 1980. Patronage and Akwete Weaving. African Arts, 13(3): 62. https://www-jstor-
org.libproxy.cput.ac.za/ 5 July 2010.
Davis, M. 1974. Akwete Cloth and Its Motifs. African Arts, 7(3): 22. https://www-jstor-
org.libproxy.cput.ac.za/ 10 October 2019.

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AKWETE CLOTH

AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE THAT IGBO WOMEN PLAY IN CONTRIBUTING TO LOCAL

what are raw

Figure 1 finished product of an Akwete material ......................................................................................... 4

about Akwete material

Figure 1 finished product of an Akwete material

Materials Used for Production the material

How is the material made or weaved?

How is the material used and utilized?

Figure 3 shows how Akwete cloth is worn

Figure 4 Themes and Patterns used on the production of the material

Figure 5 The Akwete weaving community is run by a women-led co-operative

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