Main Article Content
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to examine the pottery-making ideologies and functions of Dangi and Kukuo in the Upper West and Northern regions of Ghana respectively. The indigenous potters in these communities creatively produce variety of pottery wares with astonishing philosophical concepts irrespective of foreign influences. The ideologies that underpinned the art of indigenous pottery-making in Dangi and Kukuo had not received enough scholarly attention in academia. It was for these reasons that the researchers had to conduct a study to unearth the hidden ideologies and functions associated with the art of pottery-making among the two cultures to help rekindle the loss of faith of most Ghanaian elites of their indigenous cultural values. The research was guided by the framework of cultural ecology theory, also known as human environment relationship theory. The study employed qualitative research approach. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to select ten ‘master potters’ for the study. Direct observation, interviews, photography, and examination of artefacts were employed to gather information from the master potters regarding the concepts associated with pottery-making in both communities. It was revealed among others that, Dangi and Kukuo pottery-making ideologies were highly connected and inseparable from their social life, served as an avenue for the preservation and promotion of their cultural values and societal norms such as: beliefs, tradition and artistic skills of the potters. The study recommended among others that; Dangi pottery-making could be suitable for the establishment of potential cultural tourism. Therefore, agencies like the Municipal Assemblies, Ministry of Trade and Industries, and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts could collaborate to establish cultural tourism in this community. In another development, that of Kukuo pottery-making could be re-engaged to help improve the economic life of the people.
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References
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References
Adjei K., Asante, A. E. & Adu-Gyamfi V. E. (2015). Life, Death and Eternity: The Role of Pottery in Some Cultural Practices among the Akans of Ghana. Online International Journal of Arts and Humanities. 4(4) 55 – 61. Retrieved from: http://www.onlineresearchjournals.org/IJAH
Asante, E. A., Adjei K. & Opoku-Asare, N. A. (2013). The Theoretical and Socio –Cultural Dimensions of Kpando Women’s Pottery. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences 3(1), 60 – 72. Retrieved from http://www.iiste.org/Journals/
Amissah, E. K. & Afram A. P. (2018) A Comparative Study of Bonwire Kente and Daboya Benchibi. Lupine Publishers.1(5)-2018. DOI: 10.32474/LTTFD.2018.01.000121.
Asamoah-Mensah, H. (2013). Ceramics as Product of Technology and Art: a Case Study of Archaeological Remains at Yikpabongo. (published Master’s thesis). University of Ghana Logon, Lagon, Ghana. Retrieved from: http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh.
Ayiku, R. K. (1998). Symbolic Meanings in the Ghanaian Arts: A Step towards Developing Cultural Literacy. (published Master’s thesis). Concordia University Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Retrieved from: https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape7/PQDD_0017/NQ43588.pdf
Cohen, L., Manion L. & Morrison K. (2018). Research Methods in Education (8th edition). Routledge.
Creswell, J. W. & Creswell J. D. (2018). Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Fifth Edition. Pearson.
Creswell, J. W. (2012) Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research.4th Ed. Pearson.
Dzegblor, N. K., Vicku, C. D. M., & Barfi-Mensah H. (2017). Domestic Pottery Forms, Names and Functions Among the Eʋe of The Volta Region in Ghana. International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies. 4(1) 55 - 62. Retrieved from: https://1library.net/document/q7rgpooy-domestic-pottery-forms-names-functions-volta-region-ghana.html
Essel, O.Q & Acquah, E. (2016). Conceptual Art: The Untold Story of African Art. Journal of Literature and Art Studies. (6)10, 1203-1220. DOI: 10.17265/2159-5836/2016.10.009
Gijanto, L. (2014). Ceramics in West Africa. DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-3934-5_9856-1.
Koster, M., Hulst, M. & Vermeulen, J. (2016). Ethnographic Research. .Research Gate. Doi: 10.1081/E-EPAP3-120051222. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate. net/publication/304212339
Kusimi, J. M., Ayivor, J. S., Kusimi, B. A., Donkor, A. K., & Kyeremeh, K. (2020). The Lifecycle of Pottery Art Processes and Production in Mpraeso, Ghana. 1 – 25. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1080/00043389.2020.1805849
Lapka, M., Vávra, J., & Sokolickova, Z. (2012), Cultural Ecology: Contemporary Understanding of the Relationship Between Humans and the Environment. Journal of Landscape Ecology 5(2):12-24. DOI: 10.2478/v10285-012-0050-z
Nanashaitu, U. (2017). An Appraisal of Traditional Yoruba Pottery and Potters. Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 5(6).17-25. Retrieved from: www.eajournals.org
Peters, E. E. (2016). Implication of Early Pottery Practice by Women in Nigeria: A Focus on Women Pottery Practice in Akwa IBOM State. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 6(9). 760 – 764. Retrieved from: http://www.ijsrp.org/ research -paper-0916.php?rp=P575843.
Saako, M. M., Nkumbaan, S. N., Sormiteyema, C. B, & Ayoung, A. D (2014). Birifoh Belief System: Perspectives from Birifoh-SilaYiri, Upper West Region, Ghana. ResearchGate.4 (3), 86 – 99. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Showing-the-earth-shrine-in-Birifoh-Sila-Yiri_fig3_278679209
Steward, J. (2015). Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite. Encyclopædia Britannica.
Tabatabaei, S. Z. (2016). Ethical issues during ethnographic research in residential homes: A personal experience. Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology. 5(2) 121 – 128. DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.johe.5.2.121.