Kente cloth originated in Africa during the 12th century in a country called Ghana' It is an Asante

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Kente cloth originated in Africa during the 12th
century in a country called Ghana. It is an
Asante ceremonial cloth hand-woven on a
horizontal treadle loom. Kente was given its name
from the word kenten, which means basket,
because it resembled the woven design of a basket.
The green area represents the country of Ghana.
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The weavers of Ghana used looms to make 4 inch
wide strips of kente cloth and then wove those
strips together to form larger garments. They
used vibrant colors and complex designs to
portray each cloths symbolic meaning.
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The colors, patterns, and symbols woven into the
cloth represent specific meanings within the
culture of Ghana. Kente cloth showed the history,
philosophy, ethics, and moral values of the
culture.
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Symbols of Kente Cloth
Adwinasa Adwinasa means all the motifs are used
up. The creator of this cloth attempted to weave
a unique cloth and he used all of the motifs
known to weavers in one single cloth. The cloth
was viewed as one of the top quality and most
prestigious cloths.
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Obaakofo Mmu Man Obaakofo Mmu Man means one
person does not rule a nation.The nine squares
represent Mpuankron, a ceremonial hair cut of
some royal functionaries who help rulers make
decisions. Obaakofo Mmu Man kente signifies
participatory democracy and warning against
autocratic rule.
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Sika Futoro Sika Futoro means "gold dust." Gold
dust was used as a medium of exchange among the
people of Ghana. It was considered as a symbol
of wealth and prosperity. The use of textured
patterns in yellow, orange and red represented
the visual characteristics of gold dust.
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Nyankonton
Nyankonton means "God's eye brow (the rainbow)."
The arrangement of warp threads mimics the visual
characteristics of the rainbow. This cloth
symbolizes divine beauty, gracefulness, divine
creativity, uniqueness and good omen.
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