The Pottery-Making of Dangi and Kukuo: Ideological and Functional Perspectives

The main purpose of this study was to examine the pottery-making ideologies and functions of Dangi and Kukuo in the Upper West and Northern regions of Ghana respectively. The indigenous potters in these communities creatively produce variety of pottery wares with astonishing philosophical concepts irrespective of foreign influences. The ideologies that underpinned the art of indigenous pottery-making in Dangi and Kukuo had not received enough scholarly attention in academia. It was for these reasons that the researchers had to conduct a study to unearth the hidden ideologies and functions associated with the art of pottery-making among the two cultures to help rekindle the loss of faith of most Ghanaian elites of their indigenous cultural values. The research was guided by the framework of cultural ecology theory, also known as human environment relationship theory. The study employed qualitative research approach. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to select ten ‘master potters’ for the study. Direct observation, interviews, photography and examination of artefacts were employed to gather information from the master potters regarding the concepts associated with pottery-making in both communities. It was revealed among others that, Dangi and Kukuo pottery-making ideologies were highly connected and inseparable from their social life, served as an avenue for the preservation and promotion of their cultural values and societal norms such as: beliefs, tradition and artistic skills of the potters. The study recommended among others that; Dangi pottery-making could be suitable for the establishment of potential cultural tourism. Therefore, agencies like the Municipal Assemblies, Ministry of Trade and Industries, and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts could collaborate to establish cultural tourism in this community. In another development, that of Kukuo pottery-making could be re-engaged to help improve the economic life of the people.