Kente cloth is not only used for its beauty but also for its symbolic significance. Each cloth has a name and a meaning. Kente cloth also known locally as Nwentoma is a type of silk fabric made of inter-woven cloth stipes. It is an icon of African cultural heritage around the world and is identified by its dazzling multicoloured patterns of bright colours, geometric shapes and bold designs and It is used for its symbloic significance. Names and meanings are dervied from historical events, individual achievements proverbs, philosophical concepts, oral hiterature, mortal values and certain attributes of plant and animal life. Patterns and motifs are generally created by weavers who also assign names and meanings to them. Patterns and motifs are sometimes given by weavers who may obtain them through dreams and during contemplative moments when they are said to be in communion with the spiritual world. The meanings of the colours are.
Black- Maturation intensified spirtual energy.Blue- Peacefulness, harmony and love.
Green- Vegetation, planting, harvesting, growth, spirtual renewall.
Gold- Royalty, wealth, high status, glory, spirtual purity.
Grey- Healing and cleansing rituals associated with ash.
Maroon- The colour of mother earth, associated with healing.
Pink- Associated with the female sense of life, a mild gentle aspect of life.
Purple- Associated with the feminine aspect of life, usually worn by women.
Red- Political and spiritful moods, bloodshed, sacrifical rites and death.
Silver- Serenity, purity, joy associated with the moon.
White- Purification, sanctification rites and festive occasions.
Yellow- Preciousness, royaly, wealth and fertillity.
image from exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu
Men's Kente cloth.
This cloth design is called Adweneasa
which can be translated as my skills are exhausted.
From a collection of the Fowler musuem
of Cultural history.
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