ABSTRACT
The study examined traditional weaving as a popular craft among many ethnic groups in Nigeria and also reviewed related literature on the subject matter. It surveyed Ondo traditional hand woven fabrics and identifies alaari, sanmiyan, etu, ogungunelu and petuje as the major traditional ones used in Ondo. The study is also aimed at modifying the Ondo traditional hand woven fabrics by adopting the traditional weaving techniques, with the view that, they could be adapted to suit fashion trends in contemporary Nigerian society. The research designs adopted were the descriptive survey and scientific research strategies, while the study samples comprised thirty (30) traditional weavers, two hundred and fifty (250) Ondo traditional hand woven fabrics users and two hundred and fifty (250) potential users (youth) of the modified hand woven fabrics. Well structured questionnaire and photographs were the two instruments used for data collection. Data collected were subjected to analysis by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The descriptive statistics, of percentage, mean and standard deviation were employed to analyse the data collected. The findings of the study indicate that, the traditional value attached to Ondo traditional hand woven fabrics is in the areas of: quality and name, prestige, durability, colour, traditional design, usefulness, high premium (money), culture, use for commemoration of events, purchasing, re-using and recycling and sustainance for posterity. Based on the weighted average, that is, the overall mean value of the weavers? perception, which is 3.9 out of the 5.00 maximum value that is obtainable and 79.3% when converted to percentage, it can be inferred that, the weavers have positive perception about the modified Ondo traditional hand woven fabrics produced by the researcher. Also based on the weighted average, that is, the x overall mean value of the perception of the potential users which is 4.10 out of the 5.00 maximum value that is obtainable and 82% when converted to percentage, it can be inferred that, the potential users have the same positive perception about the modified hand woven fabrics. The study concludes that, modified hand woven fabrics, when combined with other suitable factory made fabrics like plain Ankara or Linen and sewn into different fashionable contemporary styles like: gown, skirts and blouses, tops, buba and Sokoto are suitable for use by male and female as casuals, formal and ceremonial wears. Also, the uniqueness of the hand woven fabrics will make them acceptable and even red carpet choice for all categories of people.