Kente Cloth

Kente Cloth

• Kente cloth is a type of silk and cotton fabric that originated from the Ashanti people of Ghana in West Africa. It is woven on a traditional loom and is characterized by its vibrant colors and intricate geometric patterns.
• Traditionally, Kente cloth was worn by royalty and dignitaries for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and other important ceremonies. The cloth was considered a symbol of wealth, power, and prestige, and the designs were often associated with specific meanings or messages.
• Kente cloth is made up of strips of woven fabric that are sewn together to create larger pieces of fabric, such as clothing, shawls, and bags. The cloth is often made in bright colors, such as gold, green, red, and blue, and the patterns may feature stripes, diamonds, zigzags, and other geometric shapes.
• Today, Kente cloth is still a popular fabric in West Africa and is worn for special occasions and celebrations. It is also used in contemporary fashion and home decor, with designers incorporating the vibrant colors and bold patterns into their creations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Kente Cloth?

Kente Cloth is a woven cloth textile culturally originating from the Asante people and commonly used in Ghana. Each pattern, block, symbol, and color has a distinct meaning that represent varying concepts and sayings. 

How to wear Kente Cloth?

The proper way to wear Kente Cloth is to be worn so that the pattern striped are straight both horizontally and vertically. The bottom of the pattern should be even all the way around on the edge. 

Can you sublimate on Kente Cloth?

Kente Cloth can be sublimated onto any 100% polyester garment! 

How long has Kente Cloth been around?

Kente Cloth has been around for 400 years and orginiated in Ghana.

Can you press HTV onto Kente Cloth?

You can press HTV onto kente cloth! Check out our wide selection of heat transfer vinyl! Click here!

How can I buy a Kente Cloth SVG?

Kente Cloth svg's can be purchased here!

How do I cut Kente Cloth HTV

Kente Cloth HTV can be cut by any Vinyl Cutter. Heat Transfer Warehouse has a wide selection of cutters available form the Silhouette Cameo 4 , Brother ScanNCut, Graphtec CE7000, Siser Juliet Cutter, Siser Romeo Cutter, or even the Cricut! Check out our full selection of Vinyl Cutters here!

Who wore Kente Cloth

Kente Cloth was worn by the Ewe people. They were under the rule of the Asante kingdom in the late 18th century. It is said that the Ewe people adopted the kente cloth style from the Asante with some differences. The commonality being the horizontal loom weaving.

History of Kente Cloth

Kente cloth has a rich history that dates back over 400 years to the Ashanti kingdom of what is now modern-day Ghana. According to legend, Kente cloth was created by two brothers, Kurugu and Ameyaw, who were hunting in the forest and came across a spider weaving a web. They were inspired by the spider's intricate weaving and decided to create their own cloth using a similar technique.
The first Kente cloths were made from silk and reserved exclusively for royalty and nobility. The cloths were considered a symbol of wealth, status, and prestige, and were often used to dress kings and queen mothers during important ceremonies and festivals.
Over time, the production of Kente cloth became more widespread, and the cloth became an important part of Ashanti culture. Each Kente design was given a name, and the patterns and colors were often associated with specific meanings or messages. For example, the Adweneasa pattern, which features interlocking rectangles, represents the importance of teamwork and cooperation, while the Nkyinkyim pattern, which features twisted ribbons, represents the idea of adaptability and flexibility.
During the colonial period, Kente cloth began to be exported to other parts of the world, and it became a symbol of African identity and resistance to colonialism. In the 1960s and 1970s, Kente cloth became popular among African Americans as a symbol of their cultural heritage and pride.
Today, Kente cloth is still an important part of Ashanti culture, and is often worn during weddings, funerals, and other important ceremonies. It is also used in contemporary fashion and design, with designers incorporating the vibrant colors and bold patterns into their creations.