ANALYSIS OF THE VARIABLES INFLUENCING THE AVAILABILITY OF HAND-WOVEN FABRIC AT OGBO ABADA BRIDGE HEAD FABRIC NICHE MARKET, ONITSHA, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

Africans have traditionally relied on the creation of handcrafted fabrics as a way to identify culturally and to shield their bodies from undesired elements. These fabrics represent many ethnic groups and customs. The handwoven fabric of Nigeria is not merely an art form; it is a language that predates colonialism, preserving the identity and social standing of the various ethnic groups inside the country. Nowadays, people import large quantities of machinewoven fabrics at a lower cost since speed and cost-effectiveness are priorities in our world. Some Nigerian handwoven fabric traditions, like Aso oke, are battling to survive the flood of mass-produced fabric from foreign factories into the Nigerian market, while others, like Akwete and Akwa ocha, are also in grave danger. The lack of hand-woven Akwete and Akwa Ocha fabric at the Ogbo Abada, Bridge Head Fabric Niche Market in Onitsha, Anambra, one of Nigeria's largest Fabric Niche Markets according to study findings, is evidence of this threat. The study aims to investigate the variables influencing the availability of hand-woven textiles in Onitsha, Anambra State's Ogbo Abada Bridge Head Fabric Niche Market. Purposive sample field research was used in this qualitative study. Photographic documentation of hand-woven cloth offered in the market was done, and vendors were questioned to find out the obstacles they face, where they acquire their textiles from, and what customers like. It was found that the majority of hand-woven textiles available on the market are Aso oke, which is derived from southwest Nigeria, and an Akwa ocha variant, which is sourced from Okene in Kogi State. According to the survey, the majority of vendors selling handwoven fabrics are unaware that handwoven fabrics are made in Akwete, Abia State, or even in neighbouring Delta State. Subsequent research revealed that the Akwete and Akwa ocha fabric weavers are unable to meet personal demands because most of the work is done by hand and by a small number of highly trained weavers. The study therefore recommends that the South East governments should set up skill-learning facilities for handwoven textiles that are outfitted with modern technologies that can improve hand-woven cloth production and increase its appeal to the younger demography.