Exploring the Socio-Cultural Relevance and Artistic Potential of Bambusa vulgaris in Ghana: A Sustainable Approach to Indigenous Craft and Design Innovation
Exploring the Socio-Cultural Relevance and Artistic Potential of Bambusa vulgaris in Ghana: A Sustainable Approach to Indigenous Craft and Design Innovation

Summary/Abstract: This study deconstructs the socio-cultural aesthetics of Bambusa vulgaris in Ghana, its use in art, as well as its economic and environmental value. A qualitative research approach via interviews, observation, and document study has been applied to collect data from the artists, cultural historians, and industry practitioners. The findings of the study conclude that bamboo is the quintessence of Ghanaian architecture, religious practice, and craft. Moreover, bamboo is increasingly used by contemporary artists for sculpture, fashion, and interior decoration due to its sustainability and multifunctionality. Economically speaking, bamboo businesses are expanding in a specific manner, primarily for furniture production and green handicrafts, providing wood craftsmen with an economical but eco-friendly alternative over wood. However, challenges such as inadequate formal education, conservation concerns, and ineffective policies all hinder bamboo’s maximum potential. The study examines institutional demands for assistance, disciplined bamboo craftsmanship education, and preservation culture in galvanising the use of bamboo in new sectors. Bamboo is an immediate cultural product for artistic output with strong economic, progressive and sustainable values. Ghana, having endured past hardship, can harness bamboo’s potential in driving sustainable development and innovation.

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