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Kente & Ghana
Kente
Kente is one of the most significant expressions of Ghanaian culture and one of its major cultural exports to the world.
Origin & History
The Cloth of Kings
About 375 years ago two brothers – Ameyaw and Kurugu - from the Bonwire village, in the ancient Asante Kingdom in Ghana, inspired by a spider weaving its web, wove a strip with geometric patterns of a plethora of colours. It came to be called called "kente", from the Akan word “Kenten” which means "basket", as it brings forth a weave similar to that of the basket. The design was of such beauty that it became "the fabric for the robes of Kings" in Ghana.
Kente is woven in narrow strips of cloth, then sewn together to create drapes for men's garments as well as for women. This precious fabric is now one of the most popular fabrics from Africa, and Bonwire (in the Municipal District of Ejisu - Juaben in the Ashanti Region, Ghana) is still the most famous centre for the weaving of Kente.
Kente is woven in narrow strips of cloth, then sewn together to create drapes for men's garments as well as for women. This precious fabric is now one of the most popular fabrics from Africa, and Bonwire (in the Municipal District of Ejisu - Juaben in the Ashanti Region, Ghana) is still the most famous centre for the weaving of Kente.
Kente
Birth Place Of Kente
Kente
Kente Fashion
People in kente
Each geometric pattern in Kente cloth design holds a specific meaning: a name; a piece of oral literature; philosophical concepts; moral values; a human behavior; and attributes of plant and animal life. The collection of different patterns on a single cloth holds another symbolic meaning.
Kente traditional colours were originally derived from the organic sources of roots and leaves of the trees. According to Akan tradition, black represents Africa, red means the blood of their forefathers, yellow represents gold and green means the forest. Gold is also the royal colour, a symbol of well-being, glory and spiritual purity. Blue stands for peace, harmony and love. Brown is the colour of Mother Earth and is associated with healing. Green represents vegetation, growth and spiritual renewal.
Kente traditional colours were originally derived from the organic sources of roots and leaves of the trees. According to Akan tradition, black represents Africa, red means the blood of their forefathers, yellow represents gold and green means the forest. Gold is also the royal colour, a symbol of well-being, glory and spiritual purity. Blue stands for peace, harmony and love. Brown is the colour of Mother Earth and is associated with healing. Green represents vegetation, growth and spiritual renewal.
Create Your Own Kente Cloth
Pull down on the loom bar.
Kente Fashion
Bonwire Kente Village
Kente weaving
Kente Cloth
Kings in kente
Wedding Ceremony
Family in kente
Kente Cloth Graduation Stole
Kente: Symbol of Pan-Africanism
