Onwuakpa, L. E. (2019). Design of Fashion Accessories Using Akwa-Ocha Motifs and Symbols

Akwa-Ocha which connotes 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 or past events, 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. Thus, contemporary trend in global fashion conciseness has influenced Akwa-Ocha in its application of fashion accessories. Akwa-Ocha motifs and symbols function as carriers of cultural heritage and identity of the Aniocha people. This paper therefore focuses on the use of Akwa-Ocha motifs and symbols for the design of fashion accessories using available local materials. 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.