The origins of Kente cloth date back to 12th century Africa, in the country of Ghana. The cloth was worn by Kings, Queens, and important figures of state in Ghana's society, during ceremonial events and special occasions. Kente cloth received its name from the term "kenten", which means "basket", because of the cloth's resemblance to the woven design of a basket. Ghana's weavers used looms to make four inch wide strips of Kente cloth, and wove the strips together to form larger garments. Their garments came in various colors, sizes, and designs, and behind each design was deep symbolic meaning.
Each Kente pattern was unique and had its own name.
Weavers used vibrant colors and complex designs to portray the cloth's profound
philosophical meaning. Kente cloth came to represent the history, philosophy,
ethics, and moral values in African culture. Today as African Americans gain a
renewed sense of pride for their motherland, Africa, they wear Kente cloth for
more than just fashion. They wear it for inspiration, and as a reflection of the
artistic nature of their African ancestors from Ghana.
History and Significance of Ghana's Kente Cloth
Kente is an Asante ceremonial cloth hand-woven on a horizontal treadle loom. Strips measuring about 4 inches wide are sewn together into larger pieces of cloths. Cloths come in various colors, sizes and designs and are worn during very important social and religious occasions. In a total cultural context, kente is more important than just a cloth. It is a visual representation of history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, moral values, social code of conduct, religious beliefs, political thought and aesthetic principles. The term kente has its roots in the word kenten which means a basket. The first kente weavers used raffia fibers to weave cloths that looked like kenten (a basket); and thus were referred to as kenten ntoma; meaning basket cloth. The original Asante name of the cloth was nsaduaso or nwontoma, meaning "a cloth hand-woven on a loom" and is still used today by Asante weavers and elders. However, the term kente is the most popularly used today, in and outside Ghana.
Many variations of narrow-strip cloths, similar to Kente are woven by various ethnic groups in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa. Below, we focus on some the Asante Kente cloth. The Asante are one of the Akan peoples who live in parts of Ghana and Cote d'lvoire.