| dc.description.abstract | Creating body adornments rooted in the individual and specific cultures, and integrating them in
contemporary designs that come with global fashion of attires and body adornments which are
influenced by the Western designers - is the greatest design challenge of African artists. Whereas
the indigenous motifs are embedded with meaning intended for that particular community, are
colourful and can be a symbol of identity, Africans are torn between the local (usually considered
as for the poor) and the imported- “already made” (usually considered high quality and trendy for
the rich) yet, Western visitors who come to Africa look for African items such as beads, baskets,
mats, pots and carvings. The study developed bridal adornments inspired by traditional exterior
decoration motifs of Banyankole in South Western Uganda. The trajectory of this study was that
the Banyankole have kept okuhingira(the giveaway ceremony) as an important function yet, body
adornments used during okuhingira, do not clearly depict the Kinyankole culture. The study
analyzed five Ankole motifs, developed designs of bridal adornments from two selected motifs
which were tested for appropriateness with five brides and one salon. Finally, three sets of bridal
adornments were produced and put on market.
Key words: contemporary designs, bridal adornments, Ankole | en_US |
