Conservation of African Craft through Art Entrepreneurship: Case Study of Kente Craft.

Abstract

This article discussed how Kente cloth has been able to remain relevant despite the influence of civilization. Kente is a symbol of African identity which significantly supports the economic development of Ghana. Although this craft is an age-long Ghanaian textile craft, it has defied the negative impact of civilization on most African indigenous crafts. The study focused on the value of arts and crafts to African nations’ economies. İt was intended to draw attention to the factors that have sustained the Kente craft so as to serve as a sprinngboard for the preservation of other African crafts. The article was approached with a review research design method using primarily secondary means of data collection. It was observed that Kente cloth designs have been conserved and transformed into everyday objects which is been patronised by both indigenous and foreign cultures. Kente designs are more visible in the international market than other African traditional cloths. This visibility is traceable to the joint efforts of art entrepreneurs, Kente weaving communities and the government. It was recommended that art entrepreneurs in other African countries should create a platform to learn from their Ghananian counterparts.

Keywords

• African craft
• conservation
• kente
• art entrepreneurship

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