About the Kente Cloth Pattern

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Kente Pattern Name

ADWINASA

(ah-dwin-AH-sah)

Literally means "all motifs are used up."

According to the elders, the designer of this cloth, attempted to weave a unique cloth to please the Asantehene (ah-SHAN-teh HEY-ne). In his effort he used all the motifs then known to weavers in weaving one cloth. In the end he remarked that he had exhausted all the repertoire of motifs known to Asante weavers.

The cloth was, therefore viewed as one of the top quality, and the most prestigious of Kente cloths, besides those woven exclusively for Asante Kings. It was in the past, worn by kings and people of high status and wealth. It symbolizes ROYALTY, ELEGANCE, CREATIVE INGENUITY, EXCELLENCE, WEALTH, PERFECTION and SUPERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP.

What is Kente?

Kente (KENN-tay) is an Asante (Ah-SHAN-Teh) ceremonial cloth hand-woven on a horizontal treadle loom. Strips measuring about four inches wide are sewn together into larger pieces of cloth. Clothes featuring Kente patterns come in various colors, sizes and designs and are worn during very important social and religious occasions.

In a total cultural context, Kente is more important than just a cloth. It is a visual representation of history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, moral values, social code of conduct, religious beliefs, political thought and aesthetic principles.

The term Kente has its roots in the word kenten which means a basket. The first kente weavers used raffia fibers to weave cloths that looked like kenten (a basket); and thus were referred to as kenten ntoma (kenn-ten En-toe-mah); meaning basket cloth.

The original Asante name of the cloth was nsaduaso (En-sah-do-AH-soh) or nwontoma (en-won-TOE-mah), meaning "a cloth hand-woven on a loom" and is still used today by Asante weavers and elders. The term Kente is the most widely used today in and around the west African nation of Ghana.

Many variations of narrow-strip cloths, similar to Kente are woven by various ethnic groups in Ghana and elsewhere in western Africa.  In addition to the traditional patterns, modern patterns are devised as well.

NOTE:  The Asante are one of the Akan (Ah-KANN) peoples who live in parts of the western African nations of Ghana and Cote d'lvoire.

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