Unveiling the art and crafts of raffia weaving: A cultural theory and instructional model development

Abstract

The study unveiled the art and craft of raffia weaving and its economic significance. It seeks to answer the following objectives: visualize the production process of buri strips and the tools used; document the steps of raffia weaving; analyze the aesthetics of raffia designs; determine the weavers’ status and income; and develop a theory and an instructional model. This qualitative study utilized ethnographic and grounded theory designs. Complete documentation of the intricacies of raffia weaving was conducted. Verbatim accounts from audio-video transcripts were sorted, coded, and analyzed. Reliance on the art and craft of raffia weaving is dependent on the environment’s buri resources. Raffia’s art and craft of weaving reflect perseverance in times of adversity, adaptation to change, and dedication to one’s craft. Through enculturation and government assistance, aspiring weavers improve their craft and get sustainable income. The development of the Quadrant Theory of Cultural Dynamism (QTCD) and the Contextualized Raffia Instructional Model (CRIM) serve as outcomes that may prepare academics to use the dialectical approach to instruction. QTCD is one of the holistic approaches to cultural globalization, asserting to bring out peripheral culture in the mainstream. Using CRIM as an instructional process, teachers and learners engage in 21st-century learning competencies that promote national cultural identity and pride.