It is an iconic visual representation of the history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious belief, social values, and political thought of West Africa. ... collecting meanings both specific and vague. Kente is an Akan royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and is the cloth of kings and nobility, before finding its way into bags, and scarves sold around the globe nowadays. Yellow: symbolises royalty, wealth, status and fertility. Real customer photos! What is vital to know is the meanings that are associated with these colors, and the use of the same in the fabric. Traditionally handwoven with a wooden loom, the Kente cloth contains shapes and colors that have their own special significance in the larger web of shared cultural values. $29.99 $ 29. The stool is covered entirely with gold. Kente comes from the word kenten, which means "basket" in the Asante dialect of Akan language, referencing its basket-like pattern. 274 What is vital to know is the meanings that are associated with these colors, and the use of the same in the fabric. It is thus, for this reason that the fabric is now woven using cotton, rayon, and other similar fabrics instead of only silk. The place was also the hub for all merchants and dealers who dealt with great designs and patterns. Kente Cloth Color Meanings; Traditional Kente Cloth was black and white however, the colors of black, red, gold and green modern kente cloth symbolize Black represents Africa, Red represents the blood of ancestors, Gold represents wealth, Green represents the land. It was a customary practice to exclude women from the production and design of the kente fabric. The Origins of Kente. Each kente cloth has meaning, which is conveyed through its colors, patterns and symbols. Price and other details may vary based on size and color. The kente cloth is a hub of vibrant and lively colors. The Kente fabric gained fame during the rule of King Osei Tutu-1. For instance, blue stands for "peace and harmony", green for "good health," yellow for "wealth and energy" and pink for "femininity" or caring/tenderness. Nothing can pass by his eyes, unnoticed. One of the main markers of African culture lies in the variety of fabrics made and worn by various tribes and groups. The historical practice of associating the fabric with the royalty is still alive. Ashanti folklore includes a story where weavers invented kente by seeking to replicate the patterns of Anansi the spider. African kente cloth colors & meanings. The golden stool is not only the symbol of pride for the ruler of the Ashanti people, but also for the hub where the soul of the entire clan rests. Saved by Nichole Gates. This cloth is not only significant in terms of beauty and aesthetics, but has garnered respect as the cloth for royalty, and sanctity. The Kente cloth comes from Ghana and as a rich history and symbolism. ADINKRA AND KENTE CLOTH MEANINGS: The Adinkra cloth^ made by the Ashanti people of Ghana tells a story through its many layers of symbolism. Africa is so diverse in its culture that there is ample reflection of the same in their attire too. Shop Now. Even now, when there is some new creation made out of the Kente fabric, it is first dedicated to the royal family. It is often used for celebrations like, ceremonies, festivals, and other occasions. In Kente fabric, the warp is black, while the weft is diverse and rich in colors. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Kente cloth is particularly popular in the United States among African-Americans and can be found on all types of clothing, accessories, and objects. Saved by Nichole Gates. FREE Shipping. 1. But Kente cloth also reflects the history of the Ashanti people, from the emergence of the various Ashanti kingdoms to the development of the slave trade up to and including contemporary life in Ghana. Whether it is just Anansi on the kente, or the Anansi spinning its web on the kente, both are equally important. A piece of kente cloth is not just random colors and patterns and thrown together because they look pretty. The kente cloth meaning…. The fabric is made available to the common masses only if the royal house doesn’t accept the same. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Each color and each pattern in the kente cloth has a special meaning. Everything is versatile. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! It is one of the most acclaimed fabrics that is by no means an unheard of creation. Graduation gowns should fit loosely and securely if ordered in the right size. The place was also the fashion spot where the royal kings and the men of riches came to procure clothes and fabric. It is both time and fiscally expensive to produce Kente cloth and is still considered prestigious to wear today. The short answer is that it depends. Stoles are a popular addition to honor your students for their achievements and good grades at your graduation ceremony. Below given is a comprehensive list of some of the most commonly used colors in kente fabric. Obviously, Kente cloth doesn't come from Wakanda — Black Panthers do. Each weaver creates this patchwork appearance through a complex interplay of the warp (the threads pulled left to right during weaving) and weft (threads oriented up and down). These designs have symbolic meaning which are adapted from the ancient Ashanti tradition and culture. The people of this empire were Akan people who spoke Akan language. EMAA DA kente cloth pattern EMAA DA Below is a list of colors and their meanings: • Blue – peace, togetherness, love and harmony • Black - maturity, spiritual energy, mourning, funeral and passing rites • Gold - high worth, richness, fertility, royalty, prosperity, monetary wealth • Green – land, crops, vegetation, harvest, growth, spiritual growth and renewal • Yellow – high worth, richness, fertility, … Kente (kenten means “basket”) is a hand-woven cloth originally from the Ashanti Kingdom, in Ghana, West Africa. There are many legendary tales associated with this golden stool; many wars have been fought in the past for the sake of this stool. According to legend, Kente cloth weaving was inspired by two farmers who encountered a beautifully woven spider web, and emulated and presented the technique to their king. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Anansi is the spider which is pivotal in the tradition and culture of Ghana. But Kente cloth also reflects the history of the Ashanti people, from the emergence of the various Ashanti kingdoms to the development of the slave trade up to and including contemporary life in Ghana. Not only is it used for special occasions; they could be given as a gift. 100% hand woven and from Ghana. Kente cloth definition is - colorfully patterned cloth traditionally woven by hand in Ghana —called also kente. It is the very spider that inspired two friends who later on developed this extremely famous kente fabric weaving designs and style. 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