A royal cloth
Originally, the use of kente was reserved for Asante royalty and limited to special social and sacred functions. Even as production has increased and kente has become more accessible to those outside the royal court, it continues to be associated with wealth, high social status, and cultural sophistication. Historians maintain that kente cloth grew out of various weaving traditions that existed in West Africa prior to the formation of the Asante Kingdom. These techniques were appropriated through vast trade networks, as were materials such as French and Italian silk, which became increasingly desired in the 18th century and were combined with cotton and wool to make kente.
Weaving kente
Kente is woven on a horizontal strip loom, which produces a narrow band of cloth about four inches wide. Several of these strips are carefully arranged and hand-sewn together to create a cloth of the desired size. Most kente weavers are men.
Weaving involves the crossing of a row of parallel threads called the warp (threads running vertically) with another row called the weft (threads running horizontally). A horizontal loom, constructed with wood, consists of a set of two, four or six heddles (loops for holding thread), which are used for separating and guiding the warp threads. These are attached to treadles (foot pedals) with pulleys that have spools of thread inserted in them. The pulleys can be used to move the warp threads apart. As the weaver divides the warp threads, he uses a shuttle (a small wooden device carrying a bobbin, or small spool of thread) to insert the weft threads between them. These various parts of the loom, like the motifs in the cloth, all have symbolic significance and are accorded a great deal of respect.
– Â ThaddeusÂ
Radiant Kente is a total must-have! The vibrant colors and intricate designs are absolutely stunning. This book showcases gorgeous woven art perfectly. It’s a beautiful celebration of Kente cloth and its cultural significance for women. A truly inspiring and visually appealing read I totally recommend!
– Jeremy
Radiant Kente is a visual feast! The photos are amazing and the book does a great job of showing how beautiful and important Kente is to women. Definitely worth checking out!
– Jack
“Radiant Kente” is a total stunner! The pictures are amazing, and the book really shows how awesome Kente cloth is for women. Super vibrant and inspiring! Definitely check it out!
– Â AdrianaÂ
“Radiant Kente” is a total vibe! The photos are like, so gorgeous. It really shows how amazing Kente looks on women. Super inspiring and makes you want to rock some Kente yourself!
– Â CyrilÂ
“Radiant Kente” totally blew me away! The pictures are seriously stunning, and the book is a fantastic showcase of how awesome Kente looks on women. Such vibrant colors and cool designs! It makes you want to get your own Kente on, for sure. Definitely worth a look!
– Laura
“Radiant Kente” is seriously amazing! The photos are stunning, and it totally makes you appreciate how gorgeous Kente is on women. Such vibrant colors and designs – definitely inspiring!