Kente is the national cloth of Ghana and is one of Ghana’s indigenous handicrafts which has been recognized worldwide for its cultural and philosophical importance.
There are many forms of materials used to make clothes in Ghana, But coming first is the Kente cloth, a Ghanaian textile, made of handwoven cloth, strips of silk, and cotton material. Their meaning in local dialects of Akan and Ewe. In Akan meaning “nwentoma” and in Ewe also translating to “kete”.
Kente is made by weavers who are skilled and have hands-on experience through learning the weaving process from older relatives or skilled older generational weavers.
Types Kente Cloth Designs
Many people buy Kente materials for different occasions. The material used in the production of the cloth may have developed from a variety of weaving traditions that existed in Ghana since before the 11th century.
Kente is a handwoven cloth made from strips of silk and cotton material. Kente fabrics can be used for skirts, dresses, tops, long dresses, patchwork, quilting, and African wedding dresses. Kente is woven by hand and usually takes 3 to 5 days.
In recent history, the Ashanti/Akan people of Ghana believe it originated from Bonoman, where they migrated to Ghana. People of Bonwire as in the first paragraph, claim a spider taught their fellow clansmen in a forest. While the Ewe people claim it came along with them from across their journeys of migration.
Symbolic meanings of Kente Colors
a. Black Kente symbolizes mourning, grieving, and maturity; this can be worn to funerals and traditional religious meetings. Among many other colors.
b. blue fabric expresses peacefulness, harmony, and love when worn.
c. Green Kente represents growth, harvesting, and vegetation; they can be worn to any joyous celebrations.
d. Gold Kente symbolizes wealth, happiness, high status and can be worn at crowning ceremonies, marriages, and joyous.
e. grey healing and cleansing rituals; associated with ash
f. maroon the color of mother earth; associated with healing
g. pink assoc. with the female essence of life; a mild, gentle aspect of red
h. purple assoc. with feminine aspects of life; usually worn by women
i. Red Kente symbolizes death, sacrifice, and mourning and they can be used at death, mourning, and grievous ceremonies.
j. silver serenity, purity, joy; associated with the moon
k. White Kente symbolizes Joy, happiness, and holiness and can be used in marriage and purification ceremonies.
l. yellow preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility, beauty
Kente cloth is sewn into liturgical and academic graduation robes known as “stoles” in the United States and is worn by many African American students during graduation ceremonies, events, and occasions.
Types of Kente Cloth Designs
- ADWINASA
Literally means “all motifs are used up.”
According to tradition and the elders, the designer of this cloth attempted to weave a unique cloth to please the Asantehene.
In his effort, he used all the motifs then known to weavers in weaving one cloth.
Material specifics
Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item (including handmade items). See the seller’s listing
Fiber Content: Cotton
Material: 100% Cotton
Pattern: African Wax Print
Color: Multi-Color
Type: Apparel & Fashion
Pattern/Style: AfricanBrand: Veritable Wax Dyed Kente Cloth
Suitable For: Accessories – Hats, Apparel – Dress, Apparel – Everyday Clothing, Apparel – Loungewear
It symbolizes ROYALTY, ELEGANCE, CREATIVE INGENUITY, EXCELLENCE, WEALTH, PERFECTION, and SUPERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP.
How to Use : This printed fabric is perfect for summer clothing, especially to create summer shirts, summer jackets, shorts, unique dresses, and more.
It can also be used for crafts projects like pillows, bed covers, table linens, tapestries, curtains, and more.
This cultural African design is a great way to spruce up your next outfit or decorations.
2. OBAAKOFO MMU MAN
Literally means “one person does not rule a nation.”
It expresses the Akan system of governance based on participatory democracy. The nine squares represent MPUANKRON (nine tufts of hair) a ceremonial haircut of some royal functionaries who help rulers make decisions. Originally the cloth was named FATHIA FATA NKRUMA.
Material specifics
Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item (including handmade items).
Colour: Multicoloured
Suitable For: Accessories – Bags/Purses, Accessories – Gloves/Mittens, Accessories – Hats, Apparel – Blazer/Suits, Apparel – Coat/Jacket, Apparel – Dance/Sportswear, Apparel – Dress, Apparel – Everyday Clothing, Apparel – Loungewear, Apparel – Sari, Crafts
Length/Amount: 6 Yards
Theme: African
Unit of Sale: Lot
Material: Cotton
Pattern: African Wax Prints
Fabric width: 45″ ( 114cm)
Content: Ankara, Cotton
Features: Cut and Sew
Length: 1 Yard, 2 yards, 3 yards, 4 yards, 5 yards, or 6 yards continuous at once ( discounted price )
Ghanaian Wax Print: an exotic mixture of vibrant colors and traditional African Design.
How to Use: Kente fabrics can be used for skirts, dresses, tops, long dresses, patchwork, quilting, African wedding dresses, reupholstering furniture & much more!
3. SIKA FUTORO
Literally means “gold dust.”
This cloth has an exotic mixture of vibrant colors and traditional African Design.
Before the use of coins and paper as money, gold dust was used as a medium of exchange among the Akan peoples and was therefore considered as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The predominant use of intricately textured patterns in yellows, orange, and reds replicate the visual characteristics of gold dust.
Material specifics
Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item (including handmade items).
Colour: Gold, Gold Dust Patterns Green
Fibre Content: Cotton
Custom Bundle: No
Length/Amount: By the Yard
Material:100% Cotton
Width:45″
Theme: African Kente
Pattern: African Wax Prints
Features: Antique/Vintage, Double-SidedNon-Domestic Product:NoBrand:AfricanFabsSuitable For:Accessories – Bags/Purses, Accessories – Gloves/Mittens, Accessories – Hats, Apparel – Blazer/Suits, Apparel – Dance/Sportswear, Apparel – Dress, Apparel – Everyday Clothing, Apparel – Loungewear, Apparel – Sari.
How to Use: African Kente fabrics can be used for skirts, dresses, tops, long dresses, patchwork, quilting, African wedding dresses, reupholstering furniture & much more!
The cloth symbolizes WEALTH, ROYALTY, ELEGANCE, SPIRITUAL PURITY, and HONORABLE ACHIEVEMENT.
4. ABUSUA YE DOM
Literally means “the extended family is a force.”
A vibrant, bright & beautiful fabric in kente pattern/design print and it is a soft hand feel and made with 100% cotton material.
This particulate Ghana kente print is very popular from one to another generation. Kente fabrics are selling by 6 yards piece and it is ideal for African dresses, African wedding group dresses, fashion dresses, casual dresses, cultural event dresses, special event dresses, and all types of crafts like scarp, head wrap, pillowcase, bags, neckties & accessories Made of 100% Cotton Ghana Kente Fabric, Sewing Materials
Among the Akan peoples, the extended family is the foundation of society. As a military force, members of the family are collectively responsible for the material and spiritual well-being, physical protection, and social security of all its members. The cloth was designed to celebrate and reinforce such positive attributes of the extended family system.
In its many variations and background colors, the cloth symbolizes STRONG FAMILY BOND, THE VALUE OF FAMILY UNITY, COLLECTIVE WORK, and RESPONSIBILITY and COOPERATION.
EMAA DA
Literally means “it has not happened before” or “it has no precedence.”
According to Nana Kwasi Afranie of Bonwire, the Asantehene’s chief weaver, the cloth was designed and so named by one of the Asante Kings who was so awed by the uniqueness of the pattern that he remarked “Eyi de emmaa da” meaning, “this one has no precedence.” The cloth was therefore reserved for the exclusive use of the King, but its use was later extended to people of high ranks.
Item specifics
Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item (including handmade items). See all condition definitions
Colour: Yellow
Length/Amount: 3 – 5 Metres
Country/Region of Manufacture: Ghana
Material: 100% Cotton
Fibre Content: Cotton
Features: Double-Sided
This Kente Material is a symbol of CREATIVE INGENUITY, INNOVATION, UNIQUENESS, PERFECTION, and EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT.
TOKU KRA TOMA
Literally means Toku’s soul cloth.
The cloth is designed and named to commemorate the soul of a warrior Queen-mother of that name, who, though was defeated and executed in a battle with Nana Opoku Ware I, the King of the Asante kingdom (1731-1742), was viewed as a courageous woman. It commemorates that historic event and honors the soul of that Queen-mother for her bravery. In the past, such a cloth would only be worn by the royalty and people of high rank during very sacred ceremonies in which the spirits of the ancestors are venerated.
The cloth symbolizes COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP, HEROIC DEEDS, SELF-SACRIFICE, and SPIRITUAL VITALITY and REBIRTH.
WOFRO DUA PA A NA YEPIA WO
Literally means “one who climbs a tree worth climbing gets the help deserved.”
Item specifics
Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item (including handmade items). See all condition definitions
Colour: Brown
Length/Amount: 3 – 5 Metres
Country/Region of Manufacture: Ghana
Material: 100% Cotton
Fibre Content: Cotton
Features: Double-Sided
The cloth was designed to express the Akan social thought which maintains that any good individual effort deserves to be supported by the community. When one climbs a good tree that has fruits on it, people around will give him a push, since they know they will enjoy the fruits of his labor. It is a notion that reinforces the importance of aspiring towards a worthy course.
Symbolizes ASPIRATION, HOPE, MUTUAL BENEFITS, SHARING and NOBLE DEEDS.
KYERETWIE
Literally means “the lion catcher.”
The cloth was designed to commemorate an incident during the reign of King Kwaku Dua (1838 -1867) who tested the courage of his warriors by ordering them to catch a leopard alive. The appellation, “Kyerekwie” was since appended to the names of some of the Asante Kings whose bravery and leadership qualities were comparable to the courage needed to catch a leopard alive. The black vertical warp stripes represent the black sports in a leopard’s fur. In the past, the cloth was worn only by the Asantehene or by other chiefs with his permission.
The cloth symbolizes COURAGE, VALOR, EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, and INSPIRING LEADERSHIP.
