Kente textile is from Ghana.
It is worn for special occasions.
It is hand woven.
It is one of the most famous African textile.
Aso-oke textile is from Nigeria.
It is worn for special occasions.
It is hand woven.
It is one of the most famous African textile.
Kente textile is from Ghana, a country located in West Africa. Kente is a cloth worn by royalty. It is hand woven just like the Aso-oke (Nigerian textile) in wooden looms and is of very high worth. It comes in a variety of patterns, colours and designs, each of which have different meanings.
According to Ghanaian mythology, Kente textile was first made when two friends watched how a spider wove its web. They created the Kente cloth by mimicking the actions of the spiders. It is said that this story, whether true or not, shows the harmony between Ghanaians and Mother Nature.
Looking back in the olden times, the Kente cloth is reserved for the Kings and is associated with royalty and sacredness. Even in recent times, it is worn only during important times. Though the cloth has widespread acceptance and usage it is still held in high esteem among the Akan tribe and the Ghanaians in general.
The Kente cloth is one of the most famous and wanted fabric in the whole of Africa. For the Ghanaians, this represents the history, philosophy, oral literature, religious beliefs, political thought and aesthetic principles of life.
The various colours in the cloth symbolize various aspects of life. Blue symbolizes ‘peace and harmony’. Gold colour mostly worn by kings in ancient times symbolizes ‘royalty, power, esteemed status, spiritual purity and holiness’. This colour is also used by the high priests in ancient times. Pink and purple colours are associated with ‘women’. White and grey colours symbolize 'sanctification, holiness' and are mostly used by priests and holy people.
Different patterns have been invented over time for different occasions. Whereby the various patterns have different names and meaning;
Source: Bellafricana
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