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| the weaving loom where every weaving process takes place |
philosophy, ethics, oral literature,
moral values, codes of conduct
and religious beliefs through
ceremonial weaving of special
patterns and colors called
“Kente.” Samples of Kente cloth
date back to the 11th century —
700 years ago!
Kente cloth is hand woven on a
horizontal loom. Strips about
four inches wide are sewn
together to make larger pieces
of cloth. Yarn for the cloth is
traditionally spun from cotton or
silk. Various colors have
different symbolic meanings (see
below) and different
combinations of silk, cotton, and
colored yarn carry different
levels of prestige. There are
more than 300 types of cloth
design patterns. Each design has
a name and a meaning; weaving
the designs with different colors
affects the meanings.
“Kente cloth” has its origin with
the Akan people. It is a royal
and sacred cloth worn only in
times of extreme importance.
Kente was the cloth of kings.
Over time, the use of kente
became more widespread,
however its importance has
remained and it is held in high
esteem in the Akan family and
the entire country of Ghana.
In Ghana, kente is made by the
Akan people (including the
Asante, Bono, Fante and
Nzema). Kente is also produced
by Akan groups in Cote d’Ivoire,
like the Baoule and Anyin, who
trace their ancestry back to
Ghana before the rise of the
Ahsanti EMpire. Lastly, Kente is
worn by other groups like the
Ewe and Ga who have been
influenced by Akans. It is the
best known of all African
textiles. Kente comes from the
word kenten, which means
“basket”. The Akan peoples
refer to kente as Nwentoma or
“woven cloth”.
The icon of African cultural
heritage around the world,
Asante kente is identified by its
dazzling, multicolored patterns
of bright colors, geometric
shapes and bold designs. Kente
characterized by weft designs
woven into every available block
of plain weave is called
adweneasa. The Asante peoples
of Ghana choose kente cloths as
much for their names as their
colors and patterns. Although
the cloths are identified primarily
by the patterns found in the
lengthwise (warp) threads, there
is often little correlation between
appearance and name. Names
are derived from several sources,
including proverbs, historical
events, important chiefs, queen
mothers, and plants.
Meanings of the colors in Kente
cloth (a):
black—maturation, intensified
spiritual energy
blue—peacefulness, harmony
and love
green—vegetation, planting,
harvesting, growth, spiritual
renewal
gold—royalty, wealth, high
status, glory, spiritual purity
grey—healing and cleansing
rituals; associated with ash
maroon—the color of mother
earth; associated with healing
pink—associated with the female
essence of life; a mild, gentle
aspect of red
purple—associated with feminine
aspects of life; usually worn by
women
red—political and spiritual
moods; bloodshed; sacrificial
rites and death.
silver—serenity, purity, joy; assoc.
with the moon
white—purification, sanctification
rites and festive occasions
yellow—preciousness, royalty,
wealth, fertility
