Blouse Item Number: 2590/2 a from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Blouse that is part of a three part outfit with skirt (2590/2 b) and headwrap (2590/2 c). The fabric has a repeating pattern of blue flowers or pinwheel shapes in the background, and rows of red, blue and white squares with an elephant in blue outline within them, along with text in English. These squares alternate with red text written in Twi. Blouse is sleeveless with a wide neck ruffle, tapering waist and flared bottom. It is lined with white cotton fabric.
History Of Use
Factory-printed cloths like this one commemorate or publicize special events. Consumers purchase the cloths and have them tailored into fashionable attire. Cloths are printed to commemorate a variety of events such as visits of dignitaries, funerals, university and church openings, the formation of women’s groups, beauty pageants, or New Year’s parties. Cloths may also be printed during and after elections to advertise political candidates. Some commemorative cloths are worn only for the special occasion for which the cloth was printed. The cloth is carefully stored away afterwards as a keepsake.
Factory-printed cloth is a product of both African design and European technology. African people have worn this type of cloth for over 150 years. It was originally printed in factories in Europe and then marketed in Africa, but today most of the cloth is designed and printed in Africa.
Iconographic Meaning
Cloth designed to commemorate the victory of John Agyekum Kufuor and the New Patriotic Party in the Ghanaian national election. Kufuor’s campaign slogan, “asee ho”, can be seen on the cloth.
Narrative
Factory-printed cloth made in Ghana (blouse made in Vancouver). The symbols and colours for the cloth were chosen by the previous owner, A. Busia, who was the first vice chairwoman of the NPP. After the cloth was collected for MOA, it was brought to Vancouver and tailored into a three-piece outfit by Vancouver tailor Kesseke Yeo. He fashioned the kaba (blouse) and slit (skirt) into a style similar to the way some women in Ghana wore this cloth for the elections of 2000.
Item History
- Made by Amma Busia (Technician), Kesseke Yeo (Maker) and Printex (Manufacturer) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada between 2001 and 2004
- Collected by Michelle Willard in Accra, Ghana during May 2001
- Owned by Amma Busia before 2001
- Owned by Michelle Willard before May 16, 2002
- Received from Michelle Willard (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source) on May 16, 2002
What
- Name
- Blouse
- Identification Number
- 2590/2 a
- Type of Item
- blouse
- Material
- cotton fibre, polyester fibre and dye
- Overall
- height 64.5 cm, width 70.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Ghanaian
- Creator
- Amma Busia (Technician), Kesseke Yeo (Maker) and Printex (Manufacturer)
- Field Collector
- Michelle Willard
- Previous Owner
- Amma Busia and Michelle Willard
- Received from
- Michelle Willard (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Accra, Ghana
When
- Creation Date
- between 2001 and 2004
- Collection Date
- during May 2001
- Ownership Date
- before 2001 and before May 16, 2002
- Acquisition Date
- on May 16, 2002
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 2590/0002 a