One of the finest local hand woven fabrics in the world is produced in Nigeria by the Akwete Community hence its name AKWETE CLOTH.  With cutton or silk trade, the Akwete woman ingeneously and creatively combines different colours to produce beautiful hand woven cloths in various designs and patterns, using here locally made loom and other locally fabricated materials.  The Akwete cloth is used by fashion concious women as wrapper for high society ceremonies.  It is sewn into traditional attires and worn by men of taste for special outings.  it is also used to produce designer shoes, handbags, ties, cusion/car seat materials, etc. 

The cloth derives its name from the ancient town of Akwete where it is produced.  Akwete is the headquarters of Uka East Local Government Area of Abia State of Nigeria.  being a craft traditionally handed down to the Akwete women only, the young Akwete girls are schooled in the art of cloth weaving from the tender age of five (5).  As such, she grows up with a craft that makes her ally to her husband when she gets married in boosting the family income.

But today things are no longer the way it used to be with this age-long enterprise.  Akwete cloth weaving appears to be steadily loosing its popularity and appeal among the yonger generation of Akwete women. WHY?