One of the more famous kente designs is “Emaa Da,” which means “something that has not happened before,” and is worn on just such a day when that something takes place. In about as perfect an example as you can get, Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana, donned Emaa Da kente upon his release from prison—where he was being kept for opposing British colonial rule—just four days after his political party won the election.
This particular Emaa Da is predominantly blue, which traditionally symbolizes peace, harmony, and love.
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Two friends go hunting in the forest and happen
upon a spider spinning her web. Transfixed, they watch the arachnid deftly
going about her business for two days and when they come home and try out the
new technique...
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Two friends go hunting in the forest and happen
upon a spider spinning her web. Transfixed, they watch the arachnid deftly
going about her business for two days and when they come home and try out the
new technique the result is kente cloth. So goes the legend in Ghana, where the
Akan people have been making it since the Empire of Bonoman in the 11th
century. At one time reserved for kings, today kente—called nwentoma, or “woven cloth” by the Akan—is decidedly more common, yet still
retains great cultural significance and is worn only on special days. Made by
interweaving strips of silk or cotton, different weaves have their owns
names—variously derived from proverbs, events and important historical personages—and
every color is symbolic. In other words, when you wear kente cloth, you’re
giving a whole new meaning to the term “fashion statement.”
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Details and Dimensions
5.6 ft x 2 ft
Wear & tear, some staining typical of vintage, pre-loved fabric.
