kente

Kente is a handwoven textile that originated among the Akan peoples in what is now Ghana, with strong associations to the Ashanti (Asante) kingdom. The fabric is famous for its bright, multicolored stripes and complex geometric patterns, woven on narrow looms and sewn together to form a larger cloth. Although closely linked with the Ashanti, kente weaving is also produced by other Akan groups and by neighboring communities in Ghana and parts of Togo. Traditional weaving centers include Bonwire, Adanwomase, and Agotime-Kpetoe, though kente is now produced in many villages and workshops.

Production involves weaving individual colored strips on a loom using silk or rayon for the weft and cotton for the warp; later, strips are joined edge to edge to create a seamless cloth. The patterns are not random: they encode meanings, proverbs, or historical events, and are often named after animals, plants, or royal symbols. In many weavings, motifs such as Gye Nyame (the supremacy of God) or Sankofa (learning from the past) appear as recognizable patterns. Colors carry symbolic associations as well, with gold representing wealth and royalty, black maturity or spiritual strength, red political or symbolic strength, blue peace or harmony, and green growth or renewal.

Use and cultural status: Kente was traditionally reserved for chiefs and important rites, but today it is worn by a broad range of individuals at weddings, graduations, and other festive occasions, as well as in ceremonial garb by officials. It is also used in decorative objects and as a symbol of African heritage in fashion and art. In modern Ghana and among the African diaspora, kente is widely recognized as a symbol of identity and tradition, while still remaining a craft produced by dedicated handloom labor.