The Art of Kente Cloth Making From Ghana

Photography by Nyani Quarmyne

Photography by Nyani Quarmyne

Kente cloth is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strip and is native to the Akan tribe of South Ghana. It is normally worn by royalty in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of Kings. 

Legend has it that the art of Kente weaving was born after a couple of boys from the village of Bonwire got weaving lessons from Anasi the spider. 

Photograph courtesy of the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Photograph courtesy of the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

As a popular symbol of African culture around the world, Kente is identified by its dazzling, multicolored patterns of bright colours, geometric shapes,  and bold designs. 

Check out these links for Kente art making for kids :)

http://new.artsmia.org/teaching-the-arts/asante-kente-cloth/kente-cloth-is-a-powerful-symbol-of-african-unity-and-heritage/

http://www.kinderart.com/multic/kente.shtml

http://www.teachkidsart.net/african-kente-cloth-weaving/