Kente Cloth
From Folklore to Fashion Trend
Kente cloth weaving is a textile practice that originated in
Ghana
centuries ago when that region was known as the Ashanti Kingdom. It is
woven by hand on a loom, like the one pictured above, in which strands
of dyed thread are pressed together in a pattern similar to basket
weave. That pattern is where the name comes from, as the word
kenten
means "basket" in Twi, a language spoken in southern and central Ghana.
What makes it unique is that there are hundreds of patterns of varying
complexity and color that the weaver designs that convey a message or
have a distinct meaning. Historically, it was only worn by Ghanaian
royalty and members of the court. Over time it became the attire of
choice for special events such as weddings, baby naming ceremonies and
funerals.
Today authentic kente cloth is still being produced and can be quite
expensive due to the craftsmanship. However, with the introduction of
printed fabric, kente designs are being mass produced making it common
to see the prints in everyday wear as well as accessories like bow ties,
shoes and handbags.
Learn more here
- Legend states two men were inspired by the web designs of a spider named Ananse who taught them the art of weaving 🕷
- It became the national cloth of Ghana when the country gained it's independence from Britain in 1957
- Bonwire, Ghana is the town where kente originated and remains the leading center of kente cloth production
- A majority of kente cloth weavers are men