Table of Contents
Where did kente originated from?
Ghana
Kente cloth comes from a textile practice that originated in Ghana centuries ago. The fabric has come to symbolize cultural affiliations from West Africa across the diaspora, but legend has it that a spider spinning a complex web inspired the earliest kente techniques and designs.
What is the story behind the Kente cloth?
The origin of kente cloth Kente cloth comes from the Asante, or Ashanti, peoples of Ghana and Ewe peoples of Ghana and Togo. Tutu named the cloth “kente,” meaning basket, and adopted the fabric as a royal cloth for special occasions.
When was Kente cloth first created?
True kente cloth as we know it may have been developed sometime in the 17th century. According to tradition, the art form was actually developed in the Ghanaian town of Bonwire by two brothers, Kurugu and Ameyaw.
Who traditionally weaves the Kente cloth?
Kente cloth is also worn by the Ewe people, who were under the rule of the Asante kingdom in the late 18th century. It is believed that the Ewe, who had a previous tradition of horizontal loom weaving, adopted the style of kente cloth production from the Asante—with some important differences.
Who were the first to weave the Kente?
The origins of the Kente cloth go back 400 years to West Africa, in what is now modern day Ghana. While its invention is often attributed to the people of the Ashanti Tribe, the Kente cloth may have instead been invented by the people in the Ewe Tribe, who later shared the tradition with the Ashanti.
Why is kente cloth so special?
Kente cloth is special on many levels. Around the world, the unique patterns and colors are easily identifiable as a representation of West African culture. This gives each Kente design its own unique, symbolic value. Kente cloth may symbolize the wearer’s status or mark a festive occasion.
Why do black graduates wear stoles?
The idea of wearing Kente Stoles during graduations originated with the Pan African Movement in the 1950s. James Trotman came together to create the ceremony as a way to celebrate their students’ graduation. At the ceremony, selected students would wear a Kente Stole during their graduation ceremony.
What religion did the Asante Empire practice?
Ashanti Empire
| Ashanti Empire Asanteman (Asante Twi) | |
|---|---|
| Common languages | Ashanti (Twi) (official) |
| Religion | Initially Akan religion, later also Christianity |
| Government | Monarchy |
| • 1670–1717 (first king) | Osei Tutu |
Where did Kente Kente cloth come from what country?
History of Kente Kente is no ordinary cloth and is easily recognisable worldwide. The method of producing kente, called strip weaving, has existed in West Africa since the 11th century.
Where does the word Kente come from in Ghana?
This fabric is worn by almost every Ghanaian tribe. Kente comes from the word kenten, which means basket in the Asante dialect of Akan. Akans refer to kente as nwentoma, meaning woven cloth. It is an Akan royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of kings.
Why was Kente important to the Akan people?
Akans refer to kente as nwentoma, meaning woven cloth. It is an Akan royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and 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 by southern Ghanaians.
What does the word Kente mean in Ewe language?
In the Ewe language, the syllables “Ke na te”, describe the action of weaving Kente cloth, with “ke” translating to “open” and “te” translating to “press”, the motions that are repeated hundreds or thousands of times to weave Kente Cloth. Some argue those syllables may have been corrupted over time into just “Kente”.