Artistic Values of Kusakͻkͻ or “Cloth Giving” Initiation Rites of Avatime in the Volta Region

The woman is an important figure in the development of Avatime community. People of Avatime recognize and value the role of women in society and therefore mark the transition of a female from girlhood to womanhood by giving them cloth. The problem is that many artistic values are embedded in the celebration of this transition called kusakͻkͻ initiation rites, yet they have not been described, discussed or documented, therefore they could be misplaced. Moreover, appreciable amounts of vital information embodied in kusakͻkͻ initiation rites are not being taught in the schools of Avatime. Sadly, the rich cultural heritage embodied in the artistic values which should be preserved have not been documented to put the area in the spotlight of the world. This research adopted a qualitative approach, specifically ethnography, to collect data through observation and interviews. The main findings are that, the Avatimes mark the passage of their girls into womanhood by performing series of rituals known as kusakͻkͻ. Numerous artistic values are evident in the rituals. Artistic values are demonstrated in the use of ritualized visual and performing arts including Textiles (costume, ritual cloths, kente, loincloth,), Pottery (ritual pots, ritual bowls, the heaves), Sculpture (ritual stools, special wooden paddles, wooden ladles, wooden trays, drums), Jewellery (beads, ear rings), Basketry (baskets, specially made ritual straw brooms), Calabash art (ritual calashes, calabashes for measurement), Leatherwork (special sandals oheneba, hand bags, belts, etc.), Body art (hairstyle, body painting, hair gear), Photogenic artery, Metal Art, Music (melody), Dance (boogie), Verbal art (poetry recitals, appellation), Drama (excitement)The performing arts serve as symbols of identity and means of communication. Recommendations were that there should be collaboration between the pastors and the custodians of Avatime traditional area to erase the notion that there are sacrilegious beliefs and superstitions embedded in kusakͻkͻ rites. It is also recommended that more group ritual activities be encouraged and done once a year for school going girls and workers to participate during school holidays and weekend respectively. Control measures should be instituted to curb promiscuity in the area.  Finally, it is highly recommended that this document should be incorporated in the Art Education Curriculum to put the values of kusakͻkͻ in the spotlight of the world. . Keywords: Artistic values, womanhood, transition, cultural heritage, initiation rites

Consumers’ Preferences for Wax Prints for Ceremonial Occasions in the New Juaben Municipality

Wax prints play an important role in ceremonies and they have a significant communicative value, indicating status of an individual. Different fabric types of wax print fabrics, and different colours and designs are worn by consumers for different ceremonial programmes, including naming, marriage and funeral ceremonies. The study aimed at examining examine consumers’ preferences for wax prints for ceremonial programmes. It included the fabric type of wax prints preferred by consumers for ceremonial programmes, the design of wax prints preferred by consumers for ceremonial programmes, and the colour of wax prints preferred by consumers for ceremonial programmes. The study adopted a cross sectional and descriptive study designs. A total of 100 respondents were sampled for the study. Accidental sampling was used to sample respondents for the study. Interview schedule was used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were used to describe the data. The study found that the main factor for the preference of fabrics from particular wax prints for certain ceremonial programmes was the communicative function of fashion, and while consumers preferred wax prints of high social class and relatively more expensive to outdooring and wedding programmes, they preferred wax prints of low social class and less expensive wax prints for funeral programmes. Designs and colours in wax prints had influence on the selection of fabrics by all the respondents for ceremonial programmes. The study recommends that textile manufacturing companies should consider the function of fabrics in the selection of their colour and designs for particular fabrics. Keywords: Wax prints, ceremonial occasions, fabric colour, fabric design

The Effect of Fabrics and Designs on the Physical Comfort of Children Clothes in the Accra Metropolis

Safety and comfort are considered as top priority when selecting fabrics for manufacturing children’s apparels. Delicate skin of children reacts to certain fabrics which make them less comfortable to wear. The study aimed at examining the effects of fabrics and designs on the physical comfort of children clothes. The study adopted a descriptive study design. A total of 100 respondents, 30 fashion designers and 70 parents and guardians, were sampled for the study. Simple random sampling was used for the fashion designers, whereas accidental sampling was used for the parents and guardians. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data. Crosstabulations were also used to examine the relationship between variables. The study found that more parents considered the appearance of their children before other factors such as safety and comfortability. However, majority preferred cotton fabrics to be used for their children’s apparels. A majority of the fashion designers did not know that children’s skin reacts to certain fabrics. The main factors considered by the fashion designers in the selection of fabrics for constructing children’s apparels were colour, design, and purpose of apparels. The majority of the fashion designers adopted a number of safety measures, such as linen of apparel, light-weighted zippers and use of few buttons, to enhance the comfortability of children’s apparel. The study recommends that the NVTI, and the Ghana Fashion Designers Association should educate fashion designers on the reaction of children’s skin to fabrics from certain sources. The NVTI in collaboration with the Fashion Designers Association of Ghana should sensitise or train fashion designers on safety measures in apparel making through improved finishes. Keywords: fabrics, designs, safety, comfort, children, clothes, apparel