Kente Cloth Patterns Fabric Patterns From Africa By Ken Schwager.

Kente Cloth Kente Cloth PatternsPatterns

Fabric Patterns From Fabric Patterns From AfricaAfricaBy Ken SchwagerBy Ken Schwager

Kente cloth is a type of Kente cloth is a type of traditional fabric that is woven traditional fabric that is woven by hand in Africa.by hand in Africa.

Most Kente weavers are Men.Most Kente weavers are Men.

By age twelve, most boys begin By age twelve, most boys begin helping their fathers by weaving helping their fathers by weaving Kente cloth after school.Kente cloth after school.

Every pattern in Kente cloth has its own “story” that is told through the colors used, the pattern woven and the symbolism.

Some Kente designs are very traditional and others are quite contemporary.

The Kente loom The Kente loom is made from is made from wood. The wood. The weaver sits weaver sits inside the loom inside the loom and controls it and controls it with his hands with his hands and feet.and feet.

Weavers often work together at outdoor Weavers often work together at outdoor looms, weaving from sunrise to sunset. looms, weaving from sunrise to sunset. This has been the tradition of their This has been the tradition of their families for hundreds of years.families for hundreds of years.

Kente cloth Kente cloth

is woven into is woven into

long, narrow long, narrow

pieces, then pieces, then

cut into stripscut into strips

and sewn and sewn

together to make a broad cloth, together to make a broad cloth,

sometimes as large as twelve feet sometimes as large as twelve feet

in width.in width.

Historically, Kente was considered Historically, Kente was considered the cloth of Kings. the cloth of Kings.

Over time, the use of Kente became Over time, the use of Kente became more widespread. more widespread.

When Kente is proudly worn or used When Kente is proudly worn or used on ceremonial occasions, it brings on ceremonial occasions, it brings honor and prestige to the event. honor and prestige to the event.

Kente cloth is worn byboth women and men.

Kente is made by the Asante and Kente is made by the Asante and Ewe peoples of Ghana. It is the best Ewe peoples of Ghana. It is the best known of all African textiles. known of all African textiles.

Kente comes from the word “kenten”, Kente comes from the word “kenten”, which means “basket.” The Asante which means “basket.” The Asante peoples also refer to Kente as peoples also refer to Kente as “nwentoma” or “woven cloth.”“nwentoma” or “woven cloth.”

The origins of Kente patterns date The origins of Kente patterns date back to 12th century Africa, in the back to 12th century Africa, in the country of Ghana.country of Ghana.

Most Kente designs Most Kente designs are woven directly are woven directly into the pattern.into the pattern.

Some Kente cloth is Some Kente cloth is made by stamping made by stamping the design in the design in intricate patterns.intricate patterns.

The EndThe End