What is the legend of Kente cloth?
spider
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 does Kente cloth stand for?
basket
The origin of kente cloth A popular legend claims creators of kente cloth presented the cloth to Asantehene Osei Tutu, the Asante kingdom’s first leader. Tutu named the cloth “kente,” meaning basket, and adopted the fabric as a royal cloth for special occasions.
What is Kente cloth weavers?
Kente cloth is made by Asante and Ewe weavers. One of the most sumptuously colored textiles used for clothing is Ghanaian kente cloth, made by Asante and Ewe weavers using specially designed looms. Kente is woven in four-inch (9.5 cm) narrow strips that are sewn together. …
Why is Kente cloth very 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.
Where is the kente cloth from?
Ghana
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 word “kente” actually translates to “handwoven cloth” in the Twi language of the Akan people.
What does the kente stole represent?
What is a Kente stole? Adapted from African tradition in Ghana, this woven cloth (which was once only worn by royalty) is a scarf-like garment worn over the shoulders. Similar to standard graduation stoles, they typically represents some type of accomplishment, graduation or other rites of passage.
Can anyone wear a kente stole?
While any high school or college student qualifies to wear a Kente stole at their graduation, the display should hold a deep, personal significance for the wearer. Stoles were first used by the Catholic clergy in the 12th century, worn to distinguish rank or promotion within their hierarchy.
Where is the Kente cloth from?
Why do graduates wear Kente cloth?
While each design, pattern, and color on a Kente cloth represents its own theme or story, the Kente cloth tradition itself holds broader value to people of African descent living outside of the continent, displayed in honor of their ancestral heritage or as a symbol of overcoming the struggles of displacement.
How can you tell a real kente?
An easy way of determining if the Kente is authentic is by seeing if the color on one side of the fabric is consistent with the color directly opposite that section of fabric. Real kente cloth is handwoven so the thread will be consistent on the opposite side.
How do you know if fabric is real?
If the fabric feels soft and flexible then it could well be authentic wax. If the fabric feels harsh, hard, and stiff like paper or even cardboard then chances are it is fake. Most of the Asian-produced fabrics are not 100% cotton even if they are advertised as such.