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2013 Special Congregation (IDL)
(2015-12-11) Ellis, Prof. W. O.
The state of kete development in the Volta Region
(Taylor and Francis, 2020) Opoku, Josephine; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3042-3357
Kente has gained considerable prestige in terms of recognition among all African textiles. Amidst its popularity, kente or kete cloth has experienced several transitions from its initial form through to its current state. The study presents an account on the developmental phases of Ewe kete cloth in the Volta region of Ghana. The study which was carried out in Agotime-Kpetoe and Agbozume in the Volta region employed purposive sampling to identify a group of weavers, elders, and the chief of Agotime. Interviews and observation were used as tools in collecting data on various aspects of the study. Analyzed data revealed that kete development has encountered some historical influences as a result of migration from other communities. There has also been a shift in design trends from traditional ideologies to customer-centered concepts and preferences, and the consequence of the occurrence of foreign materials in the production of the kete cloth. This study recommends ways of preserving Ewe kete weaving culture and the establishment of regulatory bodies to check the quality standards of kete products.