Kente ♥

TOP MODEL OF COLOUR FINALIST VANESSA AGYEMANG WORE A LARGE BESPOKE PAIR OF OUR AUTHENTIC KENTE STUD BACK TRIANGLES AT THE TMC HEATS LAST MONTH AND REMINDED US OF OUR LOVE FOR KENTE:

Image courtesy of dvb photography

The original stock design

Image courtesy of dvb photography

Triballery™ was inspired by Kente covered beads found in Ghana and many of our pieces were made using authentic kente cloth stole's (A woman's long scarf or shawl, worn loosely over the shoulders).

Kente Stole

Kente cloth has its origin with the Ewes of the Volta region of Ghana, and was adopted by the Akan people. It is a royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of kings. Over time, the use of kente became more widespread. However, its importance has remained and it is held in high esteem in the Akan family and the entire country of Ghana.

Kente being hand woven in a loom

In Ghana, kente is made by the Akan people (including the Asante, Bono, Fante, and Nzema). Kente is also produced by Akan groups in Cote d'Ivoire, such as the Baoule and Anyin, which trace their ancestry back to Ghana before the rise of the Ashanti Empire. Lastly, Kente is worn by other groups such as the Ewe and Ga who have been influenced by Akans. It is the best known of all African textiles. Kente comes from the word kenten, which means basket. The Akan peoples refer to kente as nwentoma or woven cloth.

That infamous image of Elle Varner looking  Fabulouso in that kente skirt!

The icon of African cultural heritage around the world, Asante 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 Asante peoples of Ghana choose kente cloths as much for their names as their colors and patterns. Although the cloths are identified primarily by the patterns found in the lengthwise (warp) threads, there is often little correlation between appearance and name. Names are derived from several sources, including proverbs, historical events, important chiefs, queen mothers, and plants.



Here are some of our favourite Kente print's in a quilt!:

Meanings of the colors in Kente cloth:

• black—maturation, 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 and cleansing rituals; associated with ash

• maroon—the color of mother earth; associated with healing

• pink—assoc. with the female essence of life; a mild, gentle aspect of red

• purple—assoc. with feminine aspects of life; usually worn by women

• red—political and spiritual moods; bloodshed; sacrificial rites and death.

• silver—serenity, purity, joy; assoc. with the moon

• white—purification, sanctification rites and festive occasions

• yellow—preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility

We love, Love, LOVE!!!


Kente description text courtesy of Wikipedia