Kente cloth has its origin with the Ashanti kingdom in Ghana and many other African countries. It is an Ashanti royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of kings. Over time the use of kente has become more widespread. However its importance has remained and it is still held in high esteem by the Akans. Kente cloth is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strips. It comes from the word kenten which means basket.
THE WARP THREAD SET OUT
The Ashanti refer to it as “nwentoma” meaning woven cloth. Kente cloth is predominantly made by the Ashanti people. Bonwire, Adanwomase, Wonoo in the Kwabre areas of Ashanti region are known as kente weavers. Also the Akans run amongst the Brong Ahafo and the Fantes . Kente is also produced by the Akan group in Ivory Coast such as the Baoule and Ayi. Today apart from the kings who used to regale their entire body with kente, it is also worn by many other groups who have been influence by the Akans. The icons of the African heritage around the world, the Ashanti kente is identified by its dazzling, multicoloured bright patterns, and geometric shapes and blog designs.
THE WEAVER IN THE LOOM CREATING THE KENTE
Though the colors of kente cloth is mostly chosen by beautification purposes, it is important to note that the colors also has meanings pertaining to humanity.
Therefore the meaning of kente colors runs as follows:
White - purification
Gold - royal/wealth
Blue-peacefulness
Green-vegetation
Red-spiritual mood
Black-maturity
Pink-female essence of life.
Purple-feminine aspect of life.
Silver-serenity
Yellow-preciousness
Grey-healing/cleansing
Maroon-the color of mother earth.
SIGNIFICANCE
In a cultural context Kente is a visual representation of history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious belief, social values and political thought.
The authentic forms of the cloth are still associated with prestige, royalty and cultural significance.
No comments:
Post a Comment