akwete cloth weaving

The Akwete cloth is a hand-woven fabric from the Akwete area, near Aba in Abia State. God in his infinite wisdom assigned a unigue identity to us Africans which is reflective in our culture- the rich cultural heritiages we have been blessed with, of which Akwete fabric weaving craft is one, and a mode of dressing that is uniquely ours. The predominant ethno-linguistic group in this area are the Ebira of Central Nigeria. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The traditional Igbo weaving as demonstrated in Akwete processes sisal-hemp, raffia and spun cotton into finished products. Akwete cloth as it is rightly named is a hand woven cloth produced by the people of Akwete – Ndoki in Abia State of Nigeria. Kente cloth is one of the African most popular and beloved pieces of clothes. © 2020 The Designers Studio is Proudly Powered by The Craft Atlas is a map to the curious and the common. Different types of weaving apply different methods in which these threads are inter-woven which affects the characteristics of the cloth. || This Akwete cloth combines an 'ikaki' design with several other patterns in a linear grid arrangement, the overall effect of which resembles a strip weave. Dates from circa 1960-1970 and is in excellent condition. called Akwete cloth was n ot and is not woven only by the Akwete and, therefore, that the pr oper name o f the product should be Ndo ki cloth. Akwete: This small town just north of the city of Port Harcourt is one of the last centres of a once much wider tradition of Igbo women’s weaving. It’s believed that the designs are revealed to the weavers by the gods. Arriving in the town, you are immediately confronted with a statue of a traditional weaver. Due to its lucrative nature, they required a certification of ownership that would prevent neighbouring villages from capitalizing on it. This, along with the cloths vibrant colours and creative designs, helped spread the cloth’s fame. Anyone who’s been to Africa will attest that it’s a highly animated land of color and soul. Different coloured threads and two shuttles used for weaving. Weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. Jones. Akwete weavers claim that there are over hundred motifs in existence. It is possible to find modern versions elaborately made entirely from rayon, silk or polyester. This hand-woven fabric is used in both male and female clothing, but the patterns and colors differ according to gender, status, and region of Africa. In addition, Ekweme (2002) documents that Akwete fabric made a landmark appearance in 1963 when it … Socio-cultural importance : Because of the dexterity of the weavers who demonstrated evincingly great mastery of technique and beauty of design, the art of Akwete-cloth weaving was erroneously believed to have been introduced from Okene in Kwara state where a similar but highly developed style earlier existed. According to Lisa Aronson, the author of African Women in the Visual Arts, the myth was created in order for Akwete women to maintain control of the craft. Akwete town is the headquarters of Ukwa East local government area of Abia state, Nigeria.Akwete is located 18 Kilometers northeast of the oil-rich city of Port Harcourt and 18 Kilometers southeast of the commercial city of Aba.Akwete is an important community of the Ndoki people they belong to the Umuihueze II clan through direct descendency from the first son of Eze Adokiari called Ihu. Examples include, […] The first versions of the Akwete were made from cotton on a broad loom called ‘nkwe’. It is an industry owned by women only. Akwete cloth weaving is said to be as old as the Igbo nation. Then, the weaver uses a weaving stick to separate the odd and eve warp thread before she winds the weft thread onto a long narrow stick which is passed from side to side.’. A wom-an's weaving is 40 to 50 inches wide and is woven on a full size wall loom. They retained some of their pre-colonial crafts such as cloth weaving of which the Akwete fabric is a good example and has gained both national and international prominence in recent times. Akwete cloth from the 1960s. Consequently, girls are taught how to weave Akwete cloths like this from a very young age . As they grow, they weave from 15-30 and 30-50 inches wide. Cotton and rayon combinations give a multicolored, brocaded look. The Igbo began to trade the fabric for goods from international traders and the Sahara, as well as, other regions of Nigeria. Inspired to create accessibility and knowledge of the Kenyan fashion brands, TDS was created to search, tell their story and bring them closer to the consumer. Akwete cloth is a unique hand woven fabric of Igbo women from Akwete in Abia State, Nigeria. Unlike the Kente and Barkcloth that was made by men, Igbo women traditionally handled Akwete weaving. | Photo by Lisa Aronson. See more ideas about african textiles, woman weaving, museum collection. Fabrics are woven to be single faced or double faced, that is the motifs show on both sides. The Designers Studio connects you to the world of Fashion & Design in Kenya. out West Africa for its unique weaving. Inspired to create accessibility and knowledge of the Kenyan fashion brands, TDS was created to search, tell their story and bring them closer to the consumer. There’s the horizontal loom used by male weavers and the vertical loom for women weavers. Akwete is a small town in Abia State, Eastern Nigeria. She then added some creative innovation to the design to create the Akwete known today. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Consequently, girls are taught how to weave Akwete cloth such as this from a … Weaving has been an age long profession of women globally. The traditional Igbo weaving as demonstrated in Akwete, processes sisal-hemp, raffia and cotton into finished products. Earth colors seem to predominate traditionally, but the contemporary access to imported dyes and colored cotton thread has broadened the spectrum. Some Rights Reserved CC-BY-NC-SA by British Museum. The Akwete community considers cloth weaving to be a gift you’re born with. KEYWORDS: Akwete, Weaving, Poverty, Alleviation, Tourism INTRODUCTION Akwete cloth is made from Ukwa East Local Government Area, Abia state, Nigeria. Using hand woven textiles made in Abia Sate, he fashions modern interpretations of dresses, skirts, shorts, suits and jackets. In more recent times, you may also have spotted Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in the fabric as well. Akwete Cloth. Measurements: 75 ins x 51 ins, 192 cm x 130 cm. Okene Cloth is a woven cloth, woven at the loom in Okene by the Ebira people. Chinasa Chukwu of Weruzo  gravitated towards the cloth because sustainability and cultural preservation is vital to her brand. History of Akwete Weaving Technology The Akwete fabric is named after the community (Akwete) where it is produced which is located in Ndoki clan, Ukwa Local Government Area of Abia State. The future belongs to those who believe in the fabric as well, that is worn a! At one end than the other circa 1960-1970 and is easily recognisable worldwide by. Popularity grew in the beauty and reality of their dreams choosing to invest in what they:. 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