TITLE:
Identification of Symbols Used as Motifs in Toghu Production, a Cultural Heritage of Grassland People in Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Bitoh Evodia Ndifor, Nkemaja Dydimus Efeze, Salihu Maiwada, Gwari Williams Bako, Saliu Ahmed Rafai
KEYWORDS:
Toghu Cloth, Cultural Heritage, Symbols, Significance, Motifs
JOURNAL NAME:
Art and Design Review,
Vol.11 No.2,
May
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: The choice of symbols as a motif is very important and remains a powerful tool to convey messages behind a design. This study aims to enlighten
designers, scholars in the field of fine
arts, instructors of fashion clothing and textile, historians, vendors and consumers on the selection
criteria of various symbols embodied as motifs on the adorn toghu cloth. Through audience interviews,
exploration of archives, Internet sources and descriptive research methods, the
authors have identified fifty symbols. The majority of the symbols used as motifs on toghu clothes were obtained in the
national museums, while others were a collection from Ghana and Nigeria. Their
significance was determined to be not
limited to their aesthetics, but also served as a tool of communication of traditional wisdom, unity of purpose, feelings,
distinguishing of persons, preservation of
cultural values in the society and cross-cultural exchange amongst
ethnic groups and across the borders. Some of the symbols from foreign cultures were found incorporated as
motifs on toghu clothes, therefore, enhancing the apprehension of grassland cultural heritage and
cultural sharing. To sum up, the findings from this research will ease the work of designers,
scholars, teachers and creative industries during exchange activities at any level, including: teaching, trade fairs,
open-door days, cultural festivals and other exhibitions. Also, it would assist
consumers in making better choices.