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The Pottery-Making of Dangi and Kukuo: Ideological and Functional Perspectives
Article Number: SIS083521AI020924
2nd September, 2024
Author(s):
Moro, Kofi Asante-Kyei, Mercy Abaka-Attah
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 a 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 a 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, the Ministry of Trade and Industries, and
the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts could collaborate to establish
cultural tourism in this community. Another development, is that Kukuo
pottery-making could be re-engaged to help improve the economic life of the
people.