Culture and Aesthetic Sensibilities of Ekiti People Through the Iconology of Epa Headrests (Published)
Art is usually a means of documenting peoples’ tastes, thoughts, and attitudes, which depend on their philosophies, past experiences, and current happenings within the society. In the same vein, the forms on Epa masks showcase the background culture of Ekiti people, as well as their worldview in relation to rewards for pragmatism, through the celebration of influential personalities. Therefore, this paper looks at the variations of forms on Epa mask headrests, aiming to extract its producers’ philosophies, aesthetic sensibilities, and core values, for a better understanding of both the images and the background culture. It concludes by highlighting many early customs showcased in Epa headrests that are no longer practiced in the communities today, eroded by acculturation and the introduction of new ways of life.
Keywords: Aesthetics, Culture, Ekiti people, Epa, Iconology
Socio-Cultural Significance of Bonwire Kente and Daboya Benchibi (Published)
Benchibi and Kente are traditional woven fabrics ingeniously crafted with two different design concepts. Benchibi is produced by the people of Daboya in the Northern part of Ghana whilst Kente is a product mainly of the middle and southern part of Ghana with Bonwire as its traditional centre in the middle part of the country. The study aimed at analysing the socio-cultural significance of the two traditions. The study fulcrums on the qualitative research and employed observation and interview. The study analysed the socio-cultural characteristics of the two fabrics traditions, using descriptive method of analysing data. The purposive sampling technique was employed to select eight people, two (2) weavers and two (2) opinion leaders from each of the study area. The research revealed that both woven traditions are embedded with socio-cultural significance that embodies various characteristics such as values, morals, history and philosophies of the areas noted for the production and use of the fabrics. The study revealed that Benchibi and Kente have different beautiful crafted style in terms of weave, designs and materials used, which play very significant roles in the socio-cultural behaviour of the two traditions. The study concluded that both weaving cultures play very distinguished social and cultural roles in the lives of the people of the respective areas. It is therefore recommended that the physical features, aesthetic and artistic components of these weaving traditions need rigorous documentation to help in recording the social and cultural life of the people through fabric weaving.
Keywords: Aesthetics, Benchibi, Kente, Socio-cultural, Traditions
The Effects of Gestures used in Adowa and Kete Performance with Particular Reference to Akans in Ghana (Published)
This paper looks into the effects of gestures used in Adowa and Kete Traditional Dances in Ghana in line with their meaning. The motive behind this investigation was to give the youth excellent platform to appreciate the gestures in Kete and Adowa ensembles, as a way of promoting their cultural identity. Data collected for this investigation was analyzed by using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. There were two major sources for the data collection; primary and secondary. Kumasi cultural center was visited during one of Ad[[ K[se[ festival and some pictures were taken on Kete and Adowa performances. Some pictures were also searched from the internet to serve as the secondary data for the project. These pictures were used during interview with the respondents. Some literature were reviewed on Kete and Adowa dances as well. The data were then transcribed and relevant portions were analyzed. The Visual Semiotic theory was used as theoretical framework. This theory deals with the interpretations of signs. Per the analysis it was identified that, the sixty one and above years aged group were the only group of people who understood these gestures. Though the youth and the middle age group can describe the gestures alright, appreciate its aesthetic nature but don’t understand the meaning.
Keywords: Adowa, Aesthetics, Gestures, Kete, Semiotic, interpretations