The Role of Women in Kente-Style Weaving Communities in Anambra State

Strip-weaving traditions in Anambra State, though distinct from the Ghanaian Kente tradition with which they share technical similarities, represent an important component of the South East geopolitical zone's material culture, and women play complex and evolving roles in these production communities. This study examines the specific contributions and experiences of women in strip-weaving production communities in Akwete and Nnewi in Anambra State, investigating their roles in production, marketing, and knowledge transmission. A qualitative research design is employed, combining ethnographic observation with semi-structured interviews conducted with 30 female weavers, 10 male weavers, and 8 market traders. The study documents the gendered division of labour within weaving households, the economic outcomes achieved by women weavers, their agency in design decisions, and their access to training and market networks. The theoretical framework draws on feminist craft studies, gender and development literature, and the indigenous knowledge transmission scholarship. The South East context of Anambra State introduces specific considerations about how Igbo gender norms shape women's participation in the commercial aspects of craft production. Recent literature on West African weaving communities has identified both expanding economic agency for women weavers and persistent barriers related to access to credit, market information, and leadership roles in craft associations. Findings are intended for women development organisations, the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs, and craft development institutions. Keywords: women, weaving, Akwete, Anambra State, gender and craft