Nineteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Wax prints (Ankara/Ntoma) have become a fashion trend in the global modern space currently. Historically, Wax Prints have been part of African material culture since the 19th century. Women who joined the trade developed a system of naming these prints and turned it into a mode of conversation among each other. My research investigates the sources, theories and inspiration behind the names and what roles their meanings played in society and how that has evolved. This naming system is very crucial because it juxtaposes material culture with a non-verbal way of communication. As such, it is important for modern wearers to understand the philosophies behind them. This study collects sixty wax prints and examines their contribution to storytelling in today’s society. Key questions explored by the study are as follows: How did women and girls use clothing forms and patterns to address both serious and lighthearted issues in their communities and how are they interpreted in different spaces today such as theater, social justice movements and basic schools? We explore these questions in an organized workshop during which we introduced wax prints to children between the ages of 9 and 15 in a basic school as inspiration to produce essays and art works. The findings suggest that wax prints speak beyond their designs and colors. Hearing what they have to say opens up conversations and ignites creativity.