What is the meaning behind Kente cloth?

What is the meaning behind Kente cloth?

Kente is a meaningful sartorial device, as every aspect of its aesthetic design is intended as communication. The colors of the cloth each hold symbolism: gold = status/serenity, yellow = fertility, green = renewal, blue = pure spirit/harmony, red = passion, black = union with ancestors/spiritual awareness.

What do the African colors mean?

The Pan-African flag’s colors each had symbolic meaning. Red stood for blood — both the blood shed by Africans who died in their fight for liberation, and the shared blood of the African people. Black represented, well, black people. And green was a symbol of growth and the natural fertility of Africa.

Who can wear kente?

While any high school or college student qualifies to wear a Kente stole at their graduation, the display should hold a deep, personal significance for the wearer. Stoles were first used by the Catholic clergy in the 12th century, worn to distinguish rank or promotion within their hierarchy.

Why do black graduates wear kente cloth?

Sponsored by the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association and the Black Alumni Chapter, the ceremony utilizes the West African kente cloth as a symbol of African American heritage, bestowed upon the graduate to commemorate the significance of graduation.

What does black red yellow and green mean?

The Pan-African Colors: Black represents the people of Africa. Red represents African bloodshed during the years of European occupation. Yellow represents the African riches plundered under occupation. Green represents the fertility of the land.

Can anyone wear kente stole?

Who can wear a kente stole at graduation?

Considering that a stole can represent any major, all four-year college graduates technically qualify to wear a graduation stole at their ceremony. Members of Greek society are also identified by the unique stoles of their fraternities and sororities.

Who are the only people who get to see the Golden Stool?

The Golden Stool is a curved seat 46 cm high with a platform 61 cm wide and 30 cm deep. Its entire surface is inlaid with gold and hung with bells to warn the king of impending danger. It has not been seen by many and only the king, queen, true prince Ofosu Sefa Boakye, and trusted advisers know the hiding place.

What do the Bantu believe in?

While most Bantu are Muslim, a small percentage follow traditional African religion or Christianity.

What is Kente cloth and for what is it used?

Weaving kente cloth is a cultural tradition of the Asante (also known as Ashanti) people, and these fabrics were originally used exclusively to dress kings and their courts. Each block, pattern, and color has a distinct name and meaning, and the cloth often includes adinkra symbols, which represent concepts or sayings.

What does Kente cloth stand for?

What does kente cloth stand for? Kente comes from the word kenten, which means “basket” in the Asante dialect of the Akan language, referencing its basket-like pattern. In Ghana, the Akan ethnic group also refers to kente as nwentoma, meaning “woven cloth”.

Why is Kente cloth so special?

Kente cloth is special on many levels. Around the world, the unique patterns and colors are easily identifiable as a representation of West African culture. This gives each Kente design its own unique, symbolic value. Kente cloth may symbolize the wearer’s status or mark a festive occasion.

How to pronounce Kente cloth?

Kente cloth – Kente, known as nwentoma in Akan, is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strips made and native to the Akan ethnic group of Ghana. Kentex slipper factory fire – On May 13, 2015, a fire broke out at the Kentex Manufacturing factory in Valenzuela, Philippines. Seventy-four people were killed in the fire, making the incident the third worst fire incid.