CULTURAL AND SYMBOLIC INTERPRETATION OF SELECTED WAX PRINT DESIGNS ON GHANAIAN FABRICS

Abstract

Although Ghanaian textiles have undergone several phases of ascension and declining, they are still significant in the culture of the people. Fabrics in Ghana are not only chosen for their aesthetic outlook but rather have certain cultural and symbolic interpretations which are in line with their names. The younger generation might lose certain key components of the culture with regards to fabrics and their names. They therefore choose designs and wear without knowing their cultural interpretations and the kind of signals and messages they are sending across. These names and meanings are only known to few and therefore need some form of scholarly documentation. The study made use of qualitative research methodology. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents for the study. Interviews were conducted and participant observations made at the various shops to gather data for the study. The study concluded that Ghanaian fabrics have unique names in relation to their composition and designs. Fabrics chosen based on the message the wearer want to send across, mood of the wearer or occasion and its significance are enormous. It is recommended that stakeholders in textile education and fashion should give prominence and attention to Ghanaian fabrics and the cultural and symbolic interpretations of their names.