Kente weaving

Kente weaving is famous in Ghana among the Akan ethnic group. I was able to visit a cooperative as part of my overnight trip to the Tagbo Falls Lodge which is also owned by Jolanika tours. I used them extensively for tours. For more information on them click here.

Kente comes from the word Kenten which in the Asanti dialect of the region means basket. The Akans call it nwentoma, meaning woven cloth.

In the olden days the cloth was only worn by kings on important occasions. Today anyone can wear it but it has never lost its importance in this region of Ghana. The loom on which the cloth is woven is a horizontal structure made of wood. The threads are then separated and thread through by something called a heddle, usually made of wire.

The patterns which are usually stunning will depend on the skill of the weaver who incidentally work with great speed. They will be happy to let you have a go and are very patient.

I was looking forward to a visit to the Kente weaving store but sadly it was shut. They lost that business as I was looking forward to making a purchase. Incidentally I thought was it was rather curious that all the weavers were men. Somehow you would associate the skill with women. Also many of the weavers were also schoolboys who come after school.