Assessment of Indigenous and Contemporary Smock Weaves of Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region of Ghana

• Main Authors: Raphael Kanyire Seidu, Ebenezer Kofi Howard, Benjamin Kwablah Asinyo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Africa Development and Resources Research Institute (ADRRI) 2017-08-01
• Series: Journal of Arts and Social Sciences
• Online Access: https://journals.adrri.org/index.php/adrrijass/article/view/355

Traditional weaving of smock weaves in Ghana has been the preserve of the North and an art skill handed from generation to generation. This art of weaving has gained recognition in some areas such as Daboya, Yendi, Tamale, Paga, Bawku, Wa and Bolgatanga with notable colour significance and naming characteristic features. This paper seeks to identify the distinguishing characteristics between the indigenous and contemporary smock weaves in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region of Ghana. It assesses the names and colours of selected indigenous and contemporary smock weaves and establishes the extrinsic and conceptual changes that have occurred over the years. As a case study based on ethnographic perspective of research, a smock market survey was conducted at smock and weaving centres in the Bolgatanga Municipality using observation and interview for data collection. Critical examination of the selected smock weaves accessed for the study and supported by interview responses from the custodians, producers and marketers of the weaves revealed that weavers now use varying warp coloured yarns aside red, blue, black, white which are epitome of indigenous smock weaves to attract wider consumers especially the youth. The weavers also used metallic embroidery yarns to enhance the aesthetics appeal of the smock weaves. The study recommends integration of symbolism in contemporary smock weaves and the documentation of smock weaves produced in the north for cultural identity, posterity and value addition for economic development.