Zaria Embroidery: Stylistic Approach and Implications for the 21st Century Art Education in The Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

The art of embroidery has evolved, but the traditional approach is still relevant among the people of Zaria. Despite the advent of  embroidery machines, the Hausa practises the manual method of the art extensively. This paper focuses on Zaria embroidery, its stylistic  approach and its implication for the 21st Century art education, especially at Ahmadu Bello University. This study is instigated by the observation that there needs to be more exposure to embroidery designs in the Textile and Fashion Design section of the Department of  Industrial Design, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Data is collected using random sampling, questionnaires, and interviews to investigate  the styles and forms of embroidery in Zaria, its distribution, entrepreneurship, design methods and also the preference of users. The  paper recommends that the curriculum of the art of embroidery (computerised and manual) should be reviewed to harness its  contemporary potential.