Kente, the pride of Ghana and Africa

We are so proud of kente because it never defades and survives longest compared to most fabric. It brings out the beauty in us and the quality of the cloth is beyond comparison. Kente, the pride of Ghana And Africa as a whole. Credits to : The Issue of the Origin and Meaning of Kente (aka Kete)

 Kente weaving dates back to 3 centuries where it started in a small town called Bonwire. To this day, Bonwire is still the most popular town associated with Kente weaving. Its very funny how this nice looking thick cloth could be made by only men and no woman is allowed to weave it. The story behind the discovery of kente is that of a funny one.

There are many stories about the spider in Ghana, called Ananse (“ah-NAN-see”), the trickster. The gold sculpture showing Ananse weaving his web is from the top of a staff held by the king's advisor (okyeame) also know as the spokesperson. In the south of US, Ghanaian slaves passed on the trickster stories, but renamed the character to “Aunt Nancy.”

The Asante’s tells the tail of two brothers Nana Kuragu and Nana Ameyaw and their friend Nana Otaa Kraban learning “kente” weaving by watching Ntikuma which is a spider locally called “ananse”weaving a web on a farm at Akyinso near Bonwire. The name “kente was derived from the Akan word for Basket: kenten

                                                                                                                                                        This is how Kente is woven in a loom

The Final print made in different styles with Adinkra symbols in it. 

Its so marvelous how the technology of this beautiful clothing can be leant from a spider weaving its net. Funny enough, its believe to be false. The full story of the origin of kente will be told some day later. But for now lets appreciate what it is. Its a kind of cloth that never gets torn due to the way it is made. Its actually as heavy as you see in the pictures and only the strips of fabric used can come apart but when it does come apart it is easily sown together by needle stitches. The cloth is without reproach and withstands all harsh situations. It doesnt fade. Neither does it even burn easily.

  Queen mothers dancing in Kente Clothing. 

Kente used during a wedding ceremony.

No one can talk about kente without bringing in the Owner of the Land that makes it, His Royal Highness Otumfour Osei Tutu  II, the king of the Ashanti Kingdom.

Due to the quality of the cloth, very few privileged are able to buy it in Ghana and Across Africa. As earlier said, a cloth for kings. You dont expect a cloth for kings to be worn by commoners. I guess thats why its costly. 

The president of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akuffo Addo in his Kente cloth during his Swearing in Ceremony in 2017. 

Kente is  a cloth worth boasting and holds the pride of Ghana and Africa as a whole. 

The Issue of the Origin and Meaning of Kente (aka Kete)Credits to : @ackza and @stellabelle for motivating me to write this piece Reference;

Image sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8