Head Cloth Item Number: 2590/2 c from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Cloth is part of a three piece outfit with blouse (2590/2 a) and skirt (2590/2 b). The head wrap is a piece of unsewn fabric with 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.
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, however the symbols and colours were chosen by the previous owner, A. Busia, who was the first vice chairwoman of the NPP.
Item History
- Made by Amma Busia (Technician) and Printex (Manufacturer) in Ghana during 2001
- 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
- Head Cloth
- Identification Number
- 2590/2 c
- Type of Item
- cloth
- Material
- cotton fibre, polyester fibre and dye
- Overall
- height 214.0 cm, width 119.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Ghanaian
- Creator
- Amma Busia (Technician) 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
- Ghana
- Collected in
- Accra, Ghana
When
- Creation Date
- during 2001
- 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 c