What better way to rock your kente than rocking it in a Kaba and slit kente style? Hear this: Wearing kente with a Kaba and slit is the all-time best way to wear your kente.
Ghanaian Women gloriously adorn Kaba and slit in beautiful African prints as well as kente. Kaba and slit is an age-old way of making clothes that transcends the age barrier. Little girls are made to wear nice dresses for occasions as much as their elder sisters and mothers. Kente is widely sewn into a Kaba and slit pair and worn to different kinds of events.
If you’re still wondering what Kaba and slit is, I guess it’s been hiding in plain sight. You have almost certainly seen Kaba and slit in action if you have been or are in Ghana. The style is also used in other African countries. There is probably an uncountable number of Kaba and slit kente styles out there.
In this article, we look at the essential Kente Kaba and slit styles you should have in your wardrobe in 2021. The year 2021 has been one with many weddings and social gatherings. A new crop of elegant and beautiful kente Kaba and slit designs have been spotted.
What is Kaba and Slit?
Kaba and slit seem like two different things. And you’d be right if you had that hunch. Kaba and slit are two pieces to the puzzle of a popular way of styling women’s clothing in Ghana.
It involves two parts: “Kaba” which is the “top” part of the dress and covers the lady’s bust extended to the waist where it meets the “Slit”. The slit is the lower part of the dress long enough to reach the ankle and is held to the lady’s waist with a string made of the same material. A guiding path for inserting the string is sewn into the slit making it easy to put it through and tie.
Even though they are two pieces, they are worn together to complete the style. It’s a wonderful sight to see women wear nice Kaba and slit styles during weddings, engagement ceremonies, church services, and other events. The best kente designs are even better in a nicely sewn Kaba and slit pair with an extra 2-yards of cloth hanging down the shoulder of elderly women like a one-sided stole.
Kaba can alternately be worn with a skirt, a trouser or a pair of jeans. The top (Kaba) makes for a wider range of styling than the down, the slit.
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Why Kente Kaba and Slit?
Kente is almost always sewn in Kaba and slit. It’s probably the defacto style for women. Recently stylists and designers are creating innovative designs.
Now kente is experienced in all its glory in Kaba and slit. No other single design has been widely used successfully to sew kente. Only Kaba and slit stand out.
If you are looking for a style to sew your kente, you can’t go wrong with Kaba and slit.
Glamorous Kente Kaba and Slit Styles
If you want to look beautiful, special, and make a great statement at any event, you can never go wrong with kente. These glamorous kente designs are a testament to the wonders a simple piece of clothing such as kente can do.
Donning these sophisticated yet alluring kente designs are modern. Kente is associated with bright colors. But there are other “Dull” colors. The trends favor the bright colors which are prominently featured in the list of designs above.
Kente: Meaning, Symbolism, and Medium of Expression for Women (Ladies)
Unknown to many, each kente design has a specific meaning. Meaning could be derived from a proverb, a wise saying, an event, or a name.
Kente designs are also named. It’s a tradition that cloths are named. The usual African prints are named as well. If there is one thing about the various African cultures that adds significance, it would be the fact that almost everything has a motive and meaning.
Beyond the naming and the imposition of wise sayings and proverbs, colors play a significant part in the meaning a kente design holds.
[List] From Wikipedia, these are the various meanings of color:
- Black: maturation, intensified spiritual energy, spirits of ancestors, passing rites, mourning, and funerals
- 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; associated with the moon
- White: purification, sanctification rites, and festive occasions
- Yellow: preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility, beauty
Kente started as a royal cloth. It was primarily to be worn on special occasions by the King and members of his court. However, restrictions were relaxed to allow commoners to engage in the delight of adorning themselves with beautiful kente wear.
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Conclusion
Kente is best styled in Kaba and slit as is a popular practice. With these exotic and beautiful kente Kaba and slit styles in your wardrobe, there isn’t an event you cannot make your best impression.
