The country that comes to mind when we are reminded of this bright-colored, woven fabric is none other than Ghana. The spider is known as Anansi, and stands for tricks and wisdom. Kente can be found in age-old Asante’s shrines to the deities as a prevalent marker of their spiritual power. N’Diyea stressed that the “tangential” question behind Brandon’s post was “Who owns kente?” She asked whether it was the African world, the government of Ghana, the Asante people, Asante royalty or the weaver. However, there are conflicting claims about the true origin, evolution of the hand-loom strip weaving and the meaning of the name Kente/Kete. There is no certainty about the exact origin of the cloth and its name. The Shocking Origin, Meaning and History Of Royal Fabric. According to the book, African Textiles, the narrow loom was brought in the Seventeenth Century from Gaymann, a location in present day Ivory Coast. Although kente cloth does have ties to slavery, it is more widely recognized as a modern symbol of pride in African American culture and pride in cultural ties to West Africa. The Kente cloth itself is so special and is accorded to a great deal of respect. KENTE JEWELRY. Kente cloth is a traditional handwoven fabric that comes from the Akan peoples of Ghana. In the Facebook post, Brandon acknowledges kente cloth’s historical ties to the slave trade; however, he ignores the broader cultural significance the cloth has to West African and African American culture. A word for word meaning for the cloth that life is not a smooth journey. ... Odo Mfampade3 Special I | Kente Cloth. Kente cloth has its origin in the Ashanti kingdom, and was adopted by people in Ivory Coast and many other West African countries. As you may have understood by now that the modern take on Kente has also made it affordable, so it is no longer reserved just for royalties. The Asantehene adopted it as a royal cloth and encouraged its development as a cloth of prestige reserved for special occasions. Many Boomer parents would argue that their millennial sons and daughters don’t know much about their roots and traditional norms or the past that shaped them. Rated 0 out of 5 The Asante supplied British and Dutch traders with slaves in exchange for firearms, which they used to expand their empire. Posted on May 5, 2017 January 19, 2018 Author Kodzo Lloyd. Kente cloth has its origin with the Ashanti Kingdom of Ghana. A popular legend claims creators of kente cloth presented the cloth to Asantehene Osei Tutu, the Asante kingdom's first leader. Hence, it is safe to say that Kente is not only unique for its design but for both weaving and sewing as well as colors. It’s hand made wooven process is what makes it rare and expensive. From Native beadwork to urban graffiti, students can find the 'heritage algorithms' of their interest, learn their connection to STEM principles, and develop designs of their own creation. Posted on May 5, 2017 January 19, 2018 Author Kodzo Lloyd. However, once the trade took off, there was no stopping as to how weavers popularized it. Hidden Meanings. Kente, known as nwentoma in Akan or Kete in Ewe, is an indigenous Ghanaian textile, made of interwoven cloth strips of silk and cotton. It might be valid for a lot of things that we have readily incorporated in our lives and swayed away from the past. According to NDiaye, the colorful patterned fabrics known as kente can be traced back to the Asante people of the Akan kingdom in what is now Ghana. The Ghanaians use this home-made local dye as the colors produced do not fade away. The final and the primary step is the weaving itself. Kente cloth has its origin with the Ewes of the Volta region of Ghana, and was adopted by the Akan people. The kente cloth is a hub of vibrant and lively colors. The brother started working on their masterpiece and, after the hard work of many days, ended up with a beautiful piece of fabric that was so unique and woven with a single thread just like a spider’s web. WORD OF THE DAY. Similarly, the cloth designs are just as powerful cultural symbols that are the genuine product of Ghanaian history and philosophy. The colors of the cloth each hold symbolism: gold = status/serenity, yellow = fertility, green = renewal, blue = pure spirit/harmony, red = passion, black = union with ancestors/spiritual awareness. History of Kente Cloth. By. In West Africa, however, this technique was modified for cheaper and easier production, making it availa… The world entered a new decade a few months ago. Over time, the use of kente became more widespread. Folklore Behind the Origin of the Kente Cloth. So the Ashanti legend lore goes as: “In the 17th century, there were … But as the production increased and more people became accessible to the cloth that they could trade it, Kente became a royal mascot for Ghana and has been known especially ever since.”. Share. Kente cloth has been a cloth of royalty. The elitist myths of 'savages' and 'white trash' led to today's bigotry. Jul 30, 2017 - Recently I did an "Art Around the World" Unit and fell in love with Kente Cloth from Ghana. Kente is a brightly colored, banded material and is the most widely known cloth produced in Africa. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012. Get all your original kente for all Occasions at Asante-Kente.com. “My way of thinking about it is that it honors the creativity, the ingenuity, the skill of the people who actually make the kente," she said. Kente Cloth! Nana Tamakloe - November 23, 2014. Although kente cloth is now identified with the Akan people in West Africa, and particularly the Asante Kingdom, the term originates with the neighboring Fante people. Ashanti folklore includes a story where weavers invented kente by seeking to replicate the patterns of Anansi the spider. It is safe to say that like the ten years that went by, the upcoming ten years will be the game changer in every aspect of our life from lifestyle to travelling and much more. N’Diyea rejected the idea kente signifies slave traders and stressed how it's become a symbol of pride for African Americans over the last 50 years. It is an iconic visualization of history, philosophy, ethics, religion, and social values. Democrats honor George Floyd with moment of silence. Tutu named the cloth “kente,” meaning basket, and adopted the fabric as a royal cloth for special occasions. Advertisements. The Asantehene adopted it as a royal cloth and encouraged its development as a cloth of prestige reserved for special occasions. The origin of Kente is explained with both a legend and historical accounts. Kente is no ordinary cloth and is easily recognisable worldwide. “The significance of the Kente cloth is our African heritage, and for those of you without that heritage who are acting in solidarity,” Bass told reporters. Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and other Democratic lawmakers were draped in scarves made from a cloth of colourful geometric Ghanaian designs called kente. South Ghana is the home of Kente woven cotton and silk cloth, Kente is of Ghanian origin but every African loves this hand woven work of art due to the beautiful colors and neat patterns, Kente fabric doesn’t really scream “hand woven” because of the precision in the weaving process. Kente cloth comes from the Asante, or Ashanti, peoples of Ghana and Ewe peoples of Ghana and Togo. According to the BBC, by the end of the 18th century, the region exported an estimated 6,000-7,000 slaves per year. Almost every Ghanaian has a garment of kente cloth. Kente cloth comes from the Asante, or Ashanti, peoples of Ghana and Ewe peoples of Ghana and Togo. Produced on a special loom, it is modified to create narrow strips of cloth. Kente cloth designs vary, with the different designs, colors, and patterns each having their own special meanings and stories. Suriname's Maroon people are the descendants of escaped African slaves. Once the weaver has enough number of long, narrow, and unique strips, the strips are then sewn together to make a full-sized clothing piece. Definition of kente cloth. My father and half-brothers were born in Ghana, and my family has shaped my understanding of kente cloth. Rep. Karen Bass, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, defended the legislators' use of kente cloth after the June 8 event. Majorly known for the infamous Ghanaian Kente Cloth, the country is widely acclaimed. It is an Akan royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of kings. In Ghana, the Akan ethnic group refers to kente as nwentoma, meaning "woven cloth". Each design has a specific name and significant meaning that reflects cultural values of … Now not only is the fabric spun, weaved and sewn using a machine, but it is also cut to be shaped into accessories like wallets, handbags, and modern halter tops, printed t-shirts, and dresses. The cloth is now universal to all tribes in Ghana and remains a national treasure and heritage. Historical accounts trace the origin of Kente weaving to early weaving traditions in ancient West African Kingdoms that flourished between 300 A.D. and 1600 A.D. “Yesterday the Democrats wore kente scarfs and knelt down for their photo op. — called also kente. WhatsApp. Ewe kente cloth (detail), 1920-40, Ghana, cotton, 339 x 198 cm (The British Museum) Historians maintain that kente cloth grew out of various weaving traditions that existed in West Africa prior to the formation of the Asante Kingdom. Although you might now know the name, the kente cloth is used globally. Pinterest. In contrast, the alternate synthetic dyes from China or Japan do fade away, reducing the quality of the fabric. So you must still be wondering that it is after all just a cultural symbol, something historically relevant for the people of Ghana, so what? 0. A legend has it … It is a royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of kings. The kente fabric is made of inter-woven silk fabric. It is an iconic visual representation of the history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious belief, social values, and political thought of West Africa. The unmistakable blends of colored threads woven together into beautiful patterns is the hallmark of kente cloth. Kente cloth is believed to have been produced as early as 1000 B.C. Fashion is one such industry that stems from the past. But Kente cloth also reflects the history of the Ashanti people, from the emergence of the various Ashanti kingdoms to the development of the slave trade up to … Over time, the use of kente became more widespread. Obviously, Kente cloth doesn't come from Wakanda — Black Panthers do. Now anybody who can afford it can wear it. Tutu, who lived from 1660 to 1712 or 1717, unified several small Asante kingdoms to create the Asante empire. Centuries-Old Anlo/Ewe - Asante Relationship: Kente cloth is closely related to Adinkra cloth, which has symbols stenciled into cloth and is associated with mourning. It's made of silk so the affluent wore it. : colorfully patterned cloth traditionally woven by hand in Ghana. It is also one of the major reasons why Kente is now a globally popular piece of clothing fabric. The origin of kente is in the Akan empire of Bonoman. My father and half-brothers were born in Ghana, and my … “It's complicated because there’s a lot of evidence that people from all social groups and classes were enslaved,” N'diyea told USA TODAY. DESIGNS FOR WOMEN. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus wore kente cloths in September to honor the 400-year anniversary of the first Africans brought to the colonies. Yes, the original Kente was black and white and much mundane to people’s dismay. Kente is more than just a cloth. The Kingdom of Ashanti royalty (currently prevalent throughout Asanteman) – “Kente, known as nwentoma in Akan, is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth.” Originally as it was reserved for the royalty, the cloth was restricted to being made how it came into being. This type of cloth is made particularly by two ethnic groups (a tribe of people who trace their ancestry to one particular place of origin from the past and personality) which are the Ashanti and Ewe kingdoms. Historians believe the Maroons derived Pangi from kente cloths and their Asante culture. Historical documentation indicates textile production among the Akan and Ewe peoples began as early as 1000 B.C. What is vital to know is the meanings that are associated with these colors, and the use of the same in the fabric. This is not the first time members of Congress have worn kente cloth in protest. Related. Instead of the long and traditional process of Kente cloth production, the African wax fabric is readily available and cheap. There may be many obstacles and ups and downs on the way. The dye that is used to change the color of the threads is also a local for Ghana as it can be made by grinding the bark and leaves of the local trees. As production increased and kente cloth was more easily accessible, it became more common across all socioeconomic classes. The answer lies in the fabric itself. One day, they came across a spider spinning a web. Amongst the many different types of raw material available locally, for production of the best export quality of the fabric, Kente uses the following raw material: The usual way by which the villagers have sworn to is hand spinning the thread. ‘Kenten,’ the Akan word for basket, came to be given the name for the fabric known as Kente due to how it was weaved. All of which is attributed to having symbolic cultural significance for the people of Ghana. Kente cloth is native to the Ewe and Ashanti people of Ghana, with origins dating back to around the 12 th century, but its patterns are still worn and enjoyed all over the world. It is the art and technique of the weaver’s hands that creates the long strips of fabric that measure up to four inches wide. The origin of Kente cloth is explained partly with a legend and partly with historical account, coming from two important towns in Asante Region of Ghana, namely Bonwire and Adawomase. Kente (aka Kete) is the most famous and the most celebrated of all the textiles used in Ghana. My 3rd graders made Kente Cloth and we used this handout to create their pieces! Kente cloth comes from the Asante, or Ashanti, peoples of Ghana and Ewe peoples of Ghana and Togo. This type of cloth is made particularly by two ethnic groups (a tribe of people who trace their ancestry to one particular place of origin from the past and personality) which are the Ashanti and Ewe kingdoms. Meaning of the word Kente. In the days since, social media users have pointed out the cloth’s historical ties to the slave trade in order to criticize the legislators’ garment choice. Kente is often woven from silk and cotton It is associated with the Ashanti people in central Ghana and is linked with special occasions as it is … As one of the prominent symbols of African arts and culture, Kente cloth has been embraced by the broader African diaspora (which means people of … Kente comes from the word kenten, which means "basket" in the Asante dialect of Akan language, referencing its basket-like pattern. Ghana, officially known as the Republic of Ghana, is a country located along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, paving with the Atlantic Ocean in the subregional area of West Africa. Most weavers are men that use a wooden horizontal loom for separating and guiding the threads to take its unique shape. "My members will attest, it's a very long time. Kente is connected with the Ewe and Ashanti people of Ghana and arose first in West Africa during the 17 th century. 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