Identification of Buganda bark cloth and production of contemporary textile decor

Abstract

In their history, Baganda have always taken advantage of natural resources with bark cloth as one of the plant products they have fully utilized. This study was aimed at assessing the selected Baganda bark-cloth that would increasingly promote the culture awareness of the material culture that can be used in contemporary spaces like hotels. The study was carried out under the tittle identification of Baganda Bark-cloth and production of contemporary textile decor". The purpose of the study was to identify the bark-cloth types of the Baganda and to produce contemporary textile decor. The researcher observed that communities in Bukomansimbi district have continued to plant mituba trees and bark-cloth making for their monetary survival and cultme conservation. The research was conducted under the following objectives; to find out the existing bark-cloth types of the Baganda, to identify the existing bark-cloth types of the Baganda and to produce contemporary textile decor from the selected Baganda bark-cloth types. A descriptive research design was employed in the study. Data was collected using interviews, observation, studio exploration and photography. Findings revealed that there four categories of Baganda bark-cloth currently existing and that all the other varieties are derived from them. The study explored with the selected bark-cloth categories in the production of decor items for a hotel room. The contemporary decor produced were a coffee table, lamp shades, wall hangings and a bark-cloth pile woven carpet. Baganda bark-cloth can no longer be confined to only traditional use; it can also be economic and cultural as well. The study resolved that Baganda bark-cloth when presented in decor statuses can preserve some of the endangered natural fibers and also bridge the gap for the ever diminishing and expensive material sources used in the Ugandan and global textile industry.