Though We Carry Gunpowder, We Smoke Tobacco

This study explores the organisation of complex cultural production in informal spheres. It does so by examining how 9 Kente production firms in Bonwire and Agotime-Kpetoe rural areas of Ghana’s Asante and Volta regions organise production. Based on analysis of accounts collected from 19 respondents during an eight-day fieldwork in the respective areas, the study demonstrates that cultural production is situated in social sphere and conforms to social rationalities. The research shows that in the absence of formal institutions, amidst uncertainties, firm-owners rely on social trust and social institutions to manage production process and dissuade delegation problem. Further, the study demonstrates that the existence of fraternal bonds is the most pertinent feature accounting for how production is organised. From the findings, I argue that cultural production is embedded in both economic and social context. As such it is vital for the field of cultural economics in its conception of cultural industry to accommodate the role of institutions in social realm have on the production and the industry as a whole.