Kente has evolved over the past centuries to become not only a form of identity and fashion expression but also a way of expressing Ghanaian, African, and Diasporan pride. The cloth is worn mainly during occasions but as it becomes a fashion element, it gains more secular uses.
From hip hop trends to movie scenes and civil rights movements, kente has become more than just traditional wear for funerals, festivals, and other occasions. Even though the kente designs can easily be spotted and attributed to African culture, choosing the best kente for that special occasion might be a little tricky. Especially when you want to make the right statement.
In this article, we look at the types of kente out there, some popular uses of kente, how to choose the best kente styles and design as well as some popular designs if you want to go with the trends.
Types of Kente you Can Buy
Broadly, the main types of kente are based on their origin or where they were made. Kente is made by the Ashantis and Ewes in Ghana. Both ethnic groups make the best kente styles you can find in the world.
However, each ethnic group has a style they incorporate into their designs. The Ewe use a more representational style of weaving their kente. Ewe kente styles could be considered as more pictorial. You can easily find Ewe kente cloths with text and images of people and other items. The magic of Ewe kente happens on the motifs. That’s where you can find meaning.
In contrast, Ashanti kente styles tend to be abstract, and do not pay much attention to mixing motifs to make meaning. The meaning is often removed from the design. Meaning in Ashanti kente comes from names, proverbs, adinkra symbols, and more.
Uses of Kente
Kente was traditionally clothing for royalty. This is especially true for the Ashanti Kingdom where the first King made it the official cloth for his court. As time went by and things changed, they spread to the ordinary. However, no one is permitted to wear the same design as the King to the same occasion.
As a fashion element, kente has become more than just a cloth. It is used to make cloths, accessories, shoes, stoles, bags, and much more.
It is safe to say kente is “everywhere”.
An important use for kente is the choice of which events to wear kente to. Traditionally, kente was passed down as an heirloom within families. It was only to be worn for special occasions. The same tradition is still kept to some extent.
You can find kente anytime you see a special occasion. From traditional festivals, weddings, national ceremonies.
Kente also has a history with politics and social activism. Both foreign and local government representatives wear the best kente styles in solidarity and respect for the African culture.
Selecting the Best Kente Styles
Kente over the past centuries has transformed from royal wear and into much more. Its significance, meaning, and use are far more relaxed now. This makes it more complex to determine when to wear your best kente styles to that occasion. As a way of determining what style, you might want to consider the following factors.
Origin and Type
The origin and type of kente say a lot about the person wearing it. Most people may not be able to tell the meaning of the cloth. But choosing the best kente style with an appropriate meaning in respect to the event will make you feel good about your decision.
Occasion and Message
The Ghanaian culture is very sensitive to color, its meaning, and implications. Black is definitely what you want to wear to a funeral. You do not want to wear a cloth with a meaning opposite to the purpose of the event. You might want to pay attention to the colors you wear.
Design and Style
When buying kente, make it a habit to ask the meaning behind the cloth. Knowing the meaning gives you enough insight to truly understand the style. It doesn’t matter whether others will know. What matters is that you understand. Therefore, you can explain and spread the cultural value of the kente cloth.
If you want a style that is more abstract, you might want to approach it from the Ashanti vendors. If you want a cloth that uses pictorial motifs, and gives a clue about the meaning of the cloth outwardly, go with the Ewe kente.
Popular Kente Styles
Kente is probably at its peak. It is the best-known African piece of culture that can be found everywhere from Marvel movies to the US Senate. Here are some of the most popular kente styles.
It can be observed that most of the designs are more abstract, very colorful, and extremely beautiful. The trends favor these kente styles and designs. These types are traditionally made by the Ashantis. However, as demand for these kente styles grew, so did the Ewe production of those styles. Currently, Ewe weavers make their traditional styles (which are more varied and many) as well as the Ashanti styles.
Conclusion
Choosing the best style depends a lot on you, what you want to express, and your understanding of kente. With the information in this article, we hope you have just what you need to decide on the best style for that special occasion.
