MYSTICISM AND ALCHEMY ON KENTE NAMING.

One who appreciates art, values its significance. Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time (Thomas Merton). Kente is art. Weavers are one of the most creative people one could come across. In order for one to be more creative, it takes absolute courage to arrive at that. It is a great deal, so to speak. A lot of processes is involved from the start to the finish of kente cloth. All processes involved contributes to the nature of art of kente.

The history and naming of kente is based on several factors. Kente has only two specific names; ‘adwinnie si adwinnie so’ or ‘adwinnie asa’. These two categories come with different patterns or designs and colours.

DIFFERENT STRIPS OF EDWIN – SI – EDWIN – SO IN ONE CLOTH

EDWIN ASA

Kente have different specific names based on the occasion, the figure or person who puts it on the first time a particular design is woven. These patterns or designs carry significant meanings.

For instance, ‘Ohene afro hyen’ which is literally translated as the King’s first time of being on board, a plane. History has it that, this design was outdoored when the King of the Ashanti Empire, Otumfo Nana Prempeh I was arrested and put on a plane. In January 1896, Otumfo Nana Prempeh I was arrested by the British because he had began an active campaign of the Asante sovereignty. Coincidentally, the design was outdoored the same day the incident occurred and so the name, ‘Ohene afro hyen’.

Ohene afro hyen
History brought about the name for this design.

Several other names of kente clothes are associated with similar instances. Free Education, God’s Ways (Nyame Akwan), My Heart Desire (Makoma so Ade), Enviousness on the part of a colleague is attributed to your wealth (Wosene Woyonko a, Otan wo) are examples of clothes that had their names as a result of various occasions. Again, Kente clothes are named after public figures who would wear them for the first time. Theresah Kuffour, Gifty Anti, Obama, Bawumia are examples of such public figures that are named after some kente designs.

Other designs are also attributed to shapes and figures. The shape of the back of a tortoise has a kente with that design and so named after it; Love web (Odo ntentan); Bone of my flesh (Odo Nfe Pade) are names attributed to shapes and figures.

These days, creativity has lead to so many designs and so are given different names. These names are of great importance that, time and period needs to be taken into consideration before they are chosen for a particular occasion.

At BRYT KENT, we are poised to providing you with the best in kente products.

Reach out to BRYT KENT on +233 54 134 9271 (whatsapp or voice) or +233 20 553 3483 and on email brytkent@yahoo.com for further information. Also follow us on IG @brytkent.

We do everything kente; be it, bags, footwears clothes or anything about kente.

NB: There would be documentaries on how kente is produced from start to finish. Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Bryt Kent.