Kente cloth has its origin with the Ashanti Kingdom, and was adopted by people in Ivory Coast and many other West African counties. The icon of African cultural heritage around the world, Akan kente is identified by its dazzling, multicolored patterns of bright colors, geometric shapes, and bold designs. Kente characterized by weft designs woven into every available block of plain weave is called adweneasa. The Akan people choose kente cloths as much for their names as their colors and patterns.
Each color within Kente cloth has a symbolic meaning:
- black— intensified spiritual energy
- blue—peacefulness, harmony and love
- green—vegetation, planting, harvesting, growth, spiritual renewal
- gold—royalty, wealth, high status, glory, spiritual purity
- grey—healing
- maroon—the color of mother earth; associated with healing
- pink—gentle aspect of red
- red—political and spiritual moods & sacrafice
- silver—serenity, purity, joy; assoc. with the moon
- white—purification
- yellow—preciousness, royalty, wealth, beauty