Technology Adaptation and Its Effect on Asante Traditional Textiles

Abstract

The role of technology in textile design and production cannot be over accentuated. Since the inception of textile art in the Asante region of Ghana, the traditional textile artisans have depended largely on technology to design and produce their products. There is, however an observed shift in the kind of technology used by the indigenous textile artists in the design and production of their works. The gradual transfer of technology from very indigenous to contemporary ones has, to some extent influence the nature of designs and products done by the textile artists. As Textile Designers and Scholars in Art, it behoves on us to study how this review of technology has affected the indigenous textiles of Asante. This would ensure an effective documentation of the design transition of Asante's textiles. The study adopted the qualitative research method and used mainly interviews and observations as its research tools. Primary data were collected from producers of Asante traditional textiles, distributors of traditional textiles and knowledgeable elders of Asante culture and traditional textiles. The study revealed that in spite of the observed revision in the technology of traditional Asante textiles, the socio-political roles and symbolism of the traditional textiles have still survived. It is recommended that contemporary technology be carefully fused with the traditional ones to ensure that the Asante traditional textiles meet the international standards and yet not compromise on the cultural and symbolic values embedded in the artefacts.