Traditional Kente Weaving

Kente Cloth is a traditional fabric most popularly woven in Ghana by the Akan people. It was known as the "Cloth of Kings" and only ever worn for extreme importance. Kente Cloth has now become more widespread, although still remains a sacred, royal cloth. It is made unique by the idea that every pattern has a very specific relation to a person, historical event or proverb. Original Kente cloths were black and white with perhaps red or gold, as they were created using locally grown and spun cotton and the available natural dyes. Nowadays, dyes are more accessible and so a wide variety of brightly coloured yarns are used in the weaves.