Enhancing Bark Cloth for Fashion Designs Inspired by Banyankore Attire Replacing Fragile Fabrics: a Case of Katete Division in Mbarara City

Author(s)	Dr. Kirabo Fortunate, Dr. Mike Nandala, Dr. William Kayamba
Country	Uganda
Abstract	Bark cloth is one of Uganda’s oldest traditional textiles, deeply rooted in cultural heritage and particularly associated with the Banyankore people. Despite its historical and cultural significance, its use in contemporary fashion design has remained limited, partly due to challenges in texture, flexibility, and finishing compared to modern fragile fabrics that are commonly used but lack durability. In Katete Division, Mbarara City, fashion designers continue to rely on these weak fabrics, which wear out quickly and often fail to reflect indigenous cultural identity. This study therefore explores the enhancement of bark cloth for fashion designs inspired by Banyankore attire as a sustainable alternative to fragile fabrics. It investigates how bark cloth can be improved through design and finishing techniques to meet modern fashion demands while preserving cultural aesthetics. The research highlights the potential of integrating traditional materials into contemporary fashion practice to promote durability, cultural preservation, and innovation within the fashion industry.
Keywords	Bark cloth, Banyankore attire, fashion design, fragile fabrics, cultural heritage, sustainable textiles, Katete Division, Mbarara City, textile innovation, traditional fabric.
Field	Arts > Fashion
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-05-22

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Advanced International Journal for Research