Artifacts are an important representation of culture and show the dynamics and growth in it. The popularity of an artifact is subject to different criteria. First, the artifact has to represent a culture that can be identified by a number of people. For the popularity of an artifact, everybody must be appreciative of the fact that it represents a part of their culture. In another context, the artifact could represent a culture that is widely accepted or recognized through a vast population. Many people have to recognize the culture for it to be popular, not only in one place or in a group it represents, but through a multinational sphere. The artifact has to be something that is interesting and can capture the attention of many people. It has to be bold in its representation of the culture that it portrays. Also, a piece of artifact has to have a history in it. It has to remind people of the cultural journey that they have been through from the time the culture was formed into the contemporary world. The artifact should show how the culture has grown to be appreciated from its traditional set up to the modern world and the future for a particular culture it represents. How is the contemporary world receptive to the culture? The artifact should be able to address such a sentiment for it to be popular in the entertainment world. Also, it has to have a big impact in the circles to which it is represented for it to achieve popularity. For instance, if it is a song, it has to have a substantially big impact on the entertainment world for it to qualify as a popular artifact that represents a group of people. However, these criteria may only apply in cases where the artifact is in the field of entertainment. The same will not apply to artifacts that represent the histories of man, for instance, the ones in a museum. There are those that are popular either way because they showcase the deep heritage of society.
The cultural artifact identified is the Ankara fashion style. The Ankara is a representation of African culture and has been in existence since the indigenous African societies were formed (MIND.SPEAK.REVOLUTION, 1). The African Ankara was worn in celebrations and important gatherings in traditional African societies because it is a representation of the true spirit of Africanism, which is laughter and togetherness. The fabric consists of bold colors that are haphazardly mixed together to produce a different combination of colors. The main uniqueness in the fabric is the brilliant combination of colors (The Tumbler, 1). The combinations represent a community that exercised freedom and happiness in the fabrics they wore. Mostly the colors are boldly mixed together with popular earth colors to represent the value that Africans place on the earth and its greenness. To Africans, the Ankara fabric is not just a piece of clothing, but a continentally accepted symbol of deep heritage and identity. Traditionally, the importance of the fabric was reverberated through it being worn by royalties. However, the African society progressed through the representation of the presidency system, and the fabric was made available to the common folk, who still value it and wear it on important occasions. The world noticed the beauty of the fabric and its deep cultural meaning, which has led to international recognition from all spheres of the globe. The uniqueness of the African culture is portrayed through a fabric that is indigenous, beautiful and commands a lot of attention. One cannot mention the Ankara fabric without thinking of the African culture and spirit, and that makes it a perfect cultural artifact.
The Ankara material broke into the fashion international scene two years ago. All of a sudden, every designer in the United States, Turkey and some from as far as China wanted a piece of the fabric. The fabric crossed the African boundary into the international scene and is highly appreciated. African Americans identify themselves with the fabric because of the African spirit it represents, which is quite similar to their culture. The African American cultural history is similar to the African story, which makes them relate to the story behind the fabric. Celebrities such as Beyoncé Knowles and Rihanna have been spotted wearing the African print on a number of occasions. Because of such instances, the fabric has gained more fame in the African American societies. The fabric is befitting of such recognition because of its authenticity in cultural representation. It is one of the lesser pieces in fashion that are more than just clothes, but denote a deep meaning to the whole continent.
The most amazing thing about Ankara is that it has been received even in white circles. Designers such as Stella McCartney and Stella Jean have made the print famous in the white circles. More white celebrities are embracing the fabric and the African culture as well. People have come to understand that the fabric is not just a material, but has a way of life that must be embraced. For instance, Kim Kardashian, in an interview for the fashion talk show, cited the importance of the tradition behind the Africa print she was wearing. The Hollywood sensation said that the piece made her think deeply and read about the African culture in aspects of food, religion and other cultural representations. Gwen Stefani is also among the many people that appreciate the African fabric. The trends have led to dubbed statements and hash tags on social media such as “the only way is Ghana.” Ghana is one of the leading African Ankara producers in the continent and supplies most of the international designers with the fabric (The Only Way Is Ghana, 1). Through such fame in the international world, it is obvious that the African culture, which is represented by Ankara, is being appreciated in wider spheres. For instance, with such hash tags, the fashion lovers are often forced to learn about the Ghanaian culture and understand how it related to the Ankara. High fashion is all about Ankara now. Clothes that suit all weathers are represented in catwalks with fashion icons such as Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell appreciating the artifact.
The reason that Ankara has received international acclamation is not just because designers and celebrities have worn it. The originality makes it intriguing as a piece of cloth (Anderson, Deonna, 2). There are different representations of cultures from around the world. However, the Ankara is one of the few that is original. In fact, next to the Indian dressing, the Ankara is one of the world’s most culturally represented fabrics. It is original because it came from Africa and nowhere else. It depicts the originality and creativity in the African culture, which is now spreading all over the world. The fabric has also been revolutionized in the international clothing scene to incorporate contemporary modes of dressing and signifies the transition in the African traditional culture into one that can be practiced by other people as well. Initially, the fabric was used to make long gowns and what African termed as “respectful clothing.” The fabric has now been mixed with others from different parts of the world to form a more contemporary and modern accepted method of dressing that Africans have been receptive to. As such, the artifact showcases a culture that can grow, which is something that makes the international scene accept it. The flexibility of the fabric represents that of a culture that has overcome obstacles and broken into the international scene. For instance, just like the fabric has been mixed with material such as silk and chiffon, Africans have also incorporated aspects of the western culture into theirs. Also, through the international acceptance of the material, the western culture has incorporated aspects of the African culture into theirs. The Ankara, therefore, is what has brought both cultures together and opened the door for many other possibilities. Even though the fabric has been given many different names in the fashion circles, it still denotes an internationally accepted indigenous culture, which makes it a popular artifact. For instance, a popular magazine cited how Nigerians were angry that the African Ankara was being given names such as “floral dress” and “African print.” The issue was that the Nigerians were worried that people were undermining a material that has a lot of meaning in their home (XOjane, 2). They were worried that it would lose its identity and cultural depiction when it is subjected to such western phrases and modifications. However, what makes the fabric a popular artifact is its ability to retain an identity even in the contemporary forms of modifications. People will still remember Africa when they see the fabric, which makes it unchangeable.
The African Ankara represents a culture that is timeless, just like the fabric itself is. The material has been in existence for as long as the African society has. The culture however has potential of undergoing drastic changes in the future. The Ankara fabric will not only be worn or designed by specific people, but will become so popular that it will be worn by international common folk, just like it is in Africa. The only reason that the fabric has not been incorporated into the routinely dress code in the lives of many people internationally is because it is expensive. However, the above does not denote that ordinary people do not know about it. Once celebrated personalities wear something, it goes viral. Even in African societies, the fabric is more expensive than other pieces of cloth. The reason is that the fabric holds more value than outside people could imagine. It has meaning and symbolism that is priceless, and would otherwise not be sold were it not for the economic significance it possesses. As a result, when Ankara is exported abroad, only people from certain circles can afford it. However, in the future, the fabric is predicted as one of the most popular internationally embraced forms of dressing that will be embraced in the contemporary. Already, people in China, Turkey, and the United Kingdom are widely buying the material and making garments for designers who have been provided with a field day of uniqueness. Therefore, it is utterly safe to say that the African culture will receive more recognition because it is impossible to separate this artifact to what it represents.
Works Cited
Anderson, Deonna. "ANKARA FEST BRINGS AFRICAN CULTURE TO HOLLYWOOD." SUSPEND 1 Aug. 2013. Print.
"More Fun With Cultural Appropriation! This Time with Ankara Prints." XOjane 11 Sept. 2013. Print.
"Ankara Creative Designs." The Only Way Is Ghana. 1 Nov. 2014. Web. <http://theonlywayisghana.com/tag/ankara-creative-designs/>.
"Ankara Creative Designs." The Tumbler. 1 Aug. 2014. Web. <https://www.tumblr.com/search/ankara clothing>.
"What Makes Fashion African." MIND.SPEAK.REVOLUTION 9 June 2013. Print.
