MOTIFS AND MOTIFS: ADAPTATION OF AKWETE-IGBO WOVEN MOTIFS AND ULI-IGBO PAINTING MOTIFS ON FABRICS AS TEXTILE PRINTS FOR CONTEMPORARY FASHION

Abstract

Most cultures around the world possess cultural heritage that has been passed down from one generation to another. This heritage is expressed through various forms such as clothing, painting, body decoration, architecture, music, folklore, dance, food, and language, among others. Africans also express themselves through their cultural heritage. For instance, in Nigeria, many ethnic groups showcase their identities through diverse cultural practices, many of which remain vibrant to date. The Igbo people of South-Eastern Nigeria possess a rich and vibrant culture that reflects their worldview. This is evident in their dress, traditional hand woven fabrics, wall and body painting traditions, carving, language, food, and folklore, among others. In their cloth weaving and body and wall painting, symbolic motifs are used to represent aspects of Igbo culture. However, these practices are in urgent need of sustainability, which forms the basis of this study. This study posits that combining these motifs to produce designs for printed fabrics could significantly enhance their preservation. The research adopts a qualitative approach and employs design-based practical experimentation in the studio. Data were collected using a historical approach, as well as from samples of Akwete fabric and Uli as sources of design inspiration. Samples of printed fabrics incorporating a combination of these motifs were subsequently produced. The findings reveal that weaving and painting motifs are suitable for application in printed textile design and should be further explored by textile and fashion designers, as this innovation contributes to the diversity of African textiles. In conclusion, these printed designs have the potential to preserve and promote these cultural traditions while enhancing their sustainability.