Design of Fashion Accessories Using Akwa-Ocha Motifs and Symbols

Abstract

Akwa-Ocha, which literally means white cloth, is basically an indigenous hand-woven cloth that is produced by the Aniocha people of Delta state. The cloth which contains surface decorative motifs and symbols is used for various festive occasions among the people. Akwa-Ocha motifs and symbols and their functions reveal the people’s history, religion, and social behaviours. Nigerian traditional elements such as the Akwa-Ocha motifs and symbols feature in the changing landscape in the design of fashion accessories in Nigeria. How has Akwa-Ocha responded to global consciousness in its application of fashion accessories? How well have the heritage, the motifs, and symbols on Akwa-Ocha functioned as carriers of cultural heritage and identity of the people? This paper therefore focuses attention on the use of Akwa-Ocha motifs and symbols for the design of fashion accessories. The exploration of Akwa-Ocha motifs and symbols for the design of fashion accessories for obvious reasons include creating an identity, checking the emphasis already placed on foreign fashion accessories, creating awareness and projecting one of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritages.

Key Words: Akwa-Ocha, motifs, symbols, fashion accessories, and cultural heritage.