Kente cloth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kente cloth, known locally as nwentoma, is a type of fabric made of interwoven woven cloth strips and is native to the country of Ghana, where it was first developed in the 12th century.
[edit] Etymology
The "kente cloth" is of the Ashanti people. It is a royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance. Kente was the cloth of kings. The king (Asantehene) controlled the use and production of Kente--whether for his household, officials or political allies. 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.
In Ghana, Kente is made by the Asante and Ewe peoples and is the best known of all African textiles. Kente comes from the word kenten, which means "basket." The Asante peoples also 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 charcterized 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.
[edit] Traditions
A variety of kente patterns have been invented, each of which has a certain concept or concepts traditionally associated with it.[citation needed] For example, the Obaakofoo Mmu Man pattern symbolizes democratic rule; Emaa Da, novel creativity and knowledge from experience; and Sika Fre Mogya, responsibility to share monetary success with one's relations.[citation needed]
Similar traditional varieties of cloth are known to various tribes throughout West Africa by various names.[citation needed] In the West, they are often all called 'kente'.[citation needed]
[edit] External links
- Akan Cloths - Part of Marshall University's 'Akan Arts' project, this site describes kente and several kente patterns
- Kente Cloth weavers - AfricanCraft.com provides a free service to publish web sites for African artisans, several Kente cloth weavers from Ghana are listed on this page.
- African Clothes and Fabrics
- Kente Weavers of Ashanti - Web video about traditional kente weaving, produced by Andy Carvin.
- Midwest Trade Group - Website trading Kente cloth stoles.
