The Role of Beaded Garments in Ghanaian Traditional Marriages
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t70121Abstract
This study examines the role of beaded garments in Ghanaian traditional marriages, focusing on their cultural, symbolic, aesthetic, and socioeconomic dimensions. A qualitative research approach was adopted, involving purposive sampling of 26 participants comprising eight (8) bead jewellers, eight (8) bridal fashion designers, and five (5) couples. Data were collected through direct observation and semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Findings indicate that contemporary beaded bridal garments extend beyond aesthetic adornment to serve as forms of visual communication. Bead colours, motifs, materials, and patterns convey meanings related to wealth, royalty, prosperity, purity, spirituality, protection, fertility, peace, marital stability, cultural identity, and social status. The transformation of beads from conventional jewellery into extensively beaded bodices, corsets, overlays, and gowns demonstrates the creative adaptation of indigenous material culture to contemporary fashion. The study further reveals that beaded bridal fashion contributes to a local fashion value chain involving bead producers, traders, designers, artisans, and consumers which participants associated with opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, and youth economic empowerment. Contemporary beaded garments also enable brides to negotiate cultural heritage and modern identity by combining indigenous symbolism with modern silhouettes and construction techniques. The study concludes that the evolution of beaded garments reflects cultural continuity, adaptation, and innovation rather than a departure from tradition. It recommends systematic documentation of contemporary beadwork practices, integration of indigenous beadwork into fashion education, support for local artisans, and stronger protection of intellectual property associated with Ghanaian bead designs and motifs.
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