Experience
Traditional weaving of kente is one skill that our elders ensure we learn from an early age. They believe that skills are very useful in making individuals responsible and even have a source of livelihood. From a young age, about 10 yrs I was priviledged to learn traditional kente weaving. At first when I started learning this skill, I was so excited because as children we were always enthused about how the weaving is done. Gradually, as I progressed in the skill and wove longer clothes, it was then realized that hardwork and a mindset for work is needed to be resilient and weave. This is so because when weaving, much energy is required to be able to stay inside the loom and work. Before stretching the cloth set-up in the loom, my guardians ensure that the place is swept nicely, all chores done and then I even take breakfast.
Before beginning to weave, I first needed to learn how to prepare the weaving thread which in the Ewe language is called "detsifofo". There is a small equipment that aids in rolling the weaving thread around a hollow bamboo known as 'wumedi'. All these were preparing me for the main weaving. From this stage, a progression was made to learn how to do the main weaving. This didn't take so long a time to do since I have observed my brothers weave for years. Even though much observation has already been made, the starting was slow before as time went on speed to weave came. The joy in learning this skill at first propelled me to always continue weaving everyday and it was memorable experiences.
Economic gains of traditional kente weaving
One of the elderly persons from whom I learnt this skill once told me of how the traditional kente market in Agbozume-Ghana was vibrant. According to him, those times they woved, buyers from different countries usually come around even to the communities to purchase the cloths. This he said made it a very lucrative venture such that even some folks outside the region but were natives returned to weave and never regretted those move. However, as this skill was learned, there were gains economically. After weaving the cloths, I take it to our usual tailor to sew the pieces together into a full cloth and then I fold nicely and then send to market. In the market, sales on some days was very good. It was joy selling and after buying some things needed to weave the next cloth some money is left with me. This money helped cater for some personal needs and reduced some dependency on parents. Economically, many of the folks especially males (youths) of my hometown have weaving as either a major or supporting source of income. This attracts customers from far and near and this way, sales of general goods in our market becomes superb.
Is kente weaving gender bias?
The work largely is male dominated not because it is gender biased but it is the nature of the work. This notwithstanding, there are now females who weave traditional kente cloths as source of livelihood not only for themselves but for the family. It is however rare to see women weaving kente since from of old males are the ones who do it because of the hardwork involved. Staying at one place in the loom weaving from morning till evening for like 5 or 6 days in a row is something not everyone can do. At times it even continues in the night when a target must be achieved before the next day. Females whose husbands weave do well to help their husbands with the threading and other essentials and eventually enter the loom when the husband moves out for a task.
Values and lessons from kente weaving
This work isn't for the lazy. The elderly know how important it is that the younger generation be groomed to be hard working and this is one of the strategies. As I did this, the mindset of growth and responsibility was being nurtured daily in that a lazy person will get tired of the work and quit. The hard working person learns resilience to apply in even other areas of life so he or she is not easily conquered. Sometimes as you weave, the buttocks itches and pains but you still have to work because if you don't you can't finish and sell.
Certain times, in weakness you still need to persist and this happens when the weaver is determined and focused. This way the work culture been inculcated in the individual is determination and it is very applicable elsewhere. It teaches you not to give up as long as the vision is clear, hopes must stay in focus too.
As you weave different styles and designs, you appreciate the rich taste of culture displayed in the cloths. It teaches in a special way how to uphold the greatness in our culture.
One of the key things the elderly do is to ensure as the young person weaves, the elderly does the selling and rewards the young person with some remuneration to encourage him. This instills discipline in the individual. As the person grows, he is then allowed to weave and sell on his own but then must ensure the business is kept going through good management of the income from sales. Gradually, the individual can then have his freedom and source of earning to depend on easing burden on whoever does the care taking.
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