You must not be a Ghanaian to wear Kente. It is not surprising to see stunning multicoloured scarves made round the United States during graduation day. We are yet to see someone who doesn’t like Kente fabric.
Kente originates from the Ashanti people of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. The Ashanti noblemen and kings are always seen wearing Kente in lovely ways. It is worn by the ladies as wrappers while the men wear it as a toga.
The Kumasi area of Ghana is where the fabric is woven to what we see around the world.
Kente is a sacred and royal cloth that has travelled far and wide to give every culture an extraordinary touch when they wear it. There are intricate patterns and colours that you can choose from when you are ready to change your appearance with Kente.
The colours on Kente
White
White talks about spirituality, innocence, purity and peace. There is a tiny amount of white on Kente. It is said that white has a sacred and divine character.
Yellow
The yellow is proudly represented in the kente. It signifies royalty, preciousness and fertility. This is one of the reasons why kings or royal families are seen wearing it in public. Yellow tells about divine goodness, spiritual purity, high status, gold, glory and royalty.
Black
Black stands for darkness and bereavement, however it represents secrecy and mystery. Most people fear black because it is mostly used in purification and initiation ceremonies. The black in the Kente talks about maturation and guardian of thrones.
Blue
Blue talks about the sky and the sea . It represents humility, wisdom, elevation, communion and patience. The kings have total control of their environment . Sometimes, blue is associated with red, or white or yellow to represent power and wealth which are established on spirituality. This brings balance and tranquility
Green
Green is life, harmony and growth. It reminds us of birth, youth and trees. It has been linked to growth, harvest, planting, spiritual renewal and vegetation. Green completes what Kente means alongside blue and yellow; nobility and wealth.
There are others in the Kente that fully completed the above colours. Today, you can use kente for different designs. We have seen guys use it as suits and the creativity is unbelievable.
There is hardly a place you see someone wearing Kente that you will not turn to admire. Kente just like Ankara has become one of the most sought fabrics in Africa. What do you think you can do with Kente? There are numerous designs you can create out of kente. Even if you are not sure of what to do with Kente, there are designs online that can help you make your choice.
