Culturally Influenced Garment Designs: Focused on Ga-Adangbe Cultural Elements in Ghana

Abstract

This paper describes the creation of garment designs influenced from Ga-Adangbe cultural elements as a personal practice of the author Elsie Rebecca Osei conducted in an art studio context at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology located in Kumasi, Ashanti Region-Ghana. These cultural elements aided in developing interesting fabric designs using dyeing and embellishing techniques before being translated into fashion garments. The professors engaged with the project were Mrs Akosua Amankwa and Prof. Charles Frimpong who guided the direction to be taken in order to achieve the goals set out for the Masters in Fine Art degree. Most of the work for the project was done in the studio together with the supervisors who were critics and a source of encouragement in the completion of the task, guiding every stage of this project. A conceptual model was developed to aid in the practice-based research approach where procedure and findings are stated to influence the field of practice. Empirical field findings were obtained from Agortime and Ga Mashie and Jamestown. Ga Mashie and Jamestown are the two main towns of the Ga people (also known as native Accra) which is made up of the seven quarters of the Ga indigens namely, asɛrɛ, gbese, otublohum, abola, sempe nleshi alata, akanmaje and agortime. This was used to inspire in the making of the garments. The population studied was made up of chiefs, selected elders and indigens of the suburbs of Agortime, Ga Mashie and Jamestown. The purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents of the study. The seven quarters of the Ga people have mantsemei (chiefs) who are the heads of influential patrilineages that have land rights within the quarters. Patrilineage members usually know the clan (we) or major lineage from which they come, which membership is now expressed in their surnames. Relevant procedures and final garments resulting from the studio-practice are presented. The possibility of studio-practice provides students the opportunity to explore the use of other cultural elements in the designing of their fabrics and garments, a situation that seeks to make such cultures appreciated and popular.