INDEX NO: 07080203

NAME: PIOUS DZIFA DOMINIC

TOPIC: A STUDY INTO KENTE WEAVING (BONWIRE)

SUPERVISOR: MR. COLLINS FORDJOUR

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

“Kente cloth” is a royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance. Kente
was the cloth of kings. Over time, the use of kente has become more widespread, however
its importance has remained and it is held in high esteem in the Akan family and the entire
country of Ghana. It is the best known of all African textiles. Kente comes from the word
kenten, which means “basket.” The Asante peoples refer to kente as “Nwentoma” or
“woven cloth”.

RESEARCH QUESTION OF THE STUDY

A number of people find it difficult indentifying the meaning of the colours and the design
in the kente cloth.

Despite the significance of colours and designs, many people simply select strips that they
find esthetically pleasing or appropriate for a special occasion.

The researcher chose to use the exploratory research for the study. From that, the
production of the book would help identify the symbolic meanings of the colours and the
geometric designs in Kente cloths.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the research was to help students and tourists acquired the great
impacts of Kente culture, the symbolic colours and the geometric designs of Kente
portrays.

The minor research objectives seek;

• To identify the symbolic meaning colours in the Kente cloth.

• To define the designs in Kente cloth and their meaning.

• To establish finance for Kente weaving in Bonwire through tourism.

• To determine kente cloth as an African ceremonial cloth.

• To conclude to the world that Kente is an African Cultural heritage.

METHODS USED

The methods used for the research was the Internet, Books, Focal group discussion (FGD),
Interview, Questionnaires, Sampling (Random) and Analysis (Holistic).

RESOURCES

The following resources were used by the researcher to gather the information; laptop or
desktop computer, pen drives, excel, backups, access to some organization and funding
(from parents, about one hundred and fifty Ghana cedis).

TIME SCALE

The time scale used for the study was from 7th January – 14th January, 2011 (Proposal), 14th
January – 21st January, 2011 (Chapter One), 28th January – 4th February, 2011 (Chapter 2),
18th February, 2011 (Chapter 3 “Discussion”), 28th February, 2011 (Chapter 3 “Proper”), 4th
march, 2011 (Chapter 4 “Discussion”), 18th march, 2011 (Chapter 4 “Proper”), 15th April,
2011 (Chapter 5 “Discussion”), 29th April, 2011 (Chapter 5 “Completed”), 13th May, 2011
(First draft “Front matters and End matters”) and 3rd June, 2011 (Bound copy).

REFERENCE OF THE STUDY

The reference to the study was the Author Date system of referencing.