Computer Simulation of Marghi Cultural Symbols as Source of Unified Motifs for Textile Design and Production

Source abstract

This study explores the application of computer simulation techniques to transform Marghi cultural symbols into unified motifs suitable for textile design and production. The Marghi people of northeastern Nigeria possess rich cultural heritage expressed through symbolic art forms that risk erosion due to modernistion and limited documentation. Employing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and digital simulation techniques, this research digitises and synthesises key Marghi symbols traditionally found in war weapons, marriage accessories, musical instruments, and agricultural implements. A mixed-methods approach combining ethnographic research and survey design was adopted, with data collected from 399 respondents in Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State. Visual observations and oral interviews revealed 70 distinct motifs, from which 20 were purposively selected and developed into 10 unified textile designs using CorelDraw X7. The digitally printed fabrics were evaluated for cultural authenticity and aesthetic appeal. Results indicate that 65% of respondents were unfamiliar with Marghi cultural symbols, yet 82.7% emphasized the importance of preservation. The Dala pattern achieved the highest overall acceptance rating (94.9%), followed by the Knundai basket pattern (93.3%). The study demonstrates that digital tools can effectively bridge cultural preservation and modern design innovation, enabling scalable and aesthetically rich reproduction of traditional motifs while maintaining cultural significance.