My Loom and Me: The Role of the Handloom in a Weaver’s Identity Creation

Handloom artistry dates back to the seventeenth century in Africa. In Ghana, handloom is used produce traditional Kente textiles, which form part of country’s identity. This research focuses on Bonwire, Ghana a weaving community Ashanti region that specialised textile. However, modernisation and globalisation are seemingly threatening this industry, as new trade law allowed imports printed Kente-inspired textiles from Europe, America Asia. chapter artisans involved handweaving process Ghanaian by investigating role identity weavers. Weaving with has long-standing tradition thus exploring implications subsequently weavers will be explored. qualitative enquiry draws 20 semi-structured interviews process, explore their Initial findings highlight art using infused into culture Bonwire. The have taken represent identity, without handloom, it appear though they no