Ewe culture, arts, design

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 i...