Kente cloth, a series of strips woven together to create bold and colorful designs, was once the fabric of African kings. It’s popularity in the western hemisphere came about in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s as many African-Americans returned to their roots and sported this traditional material. 
Kente is a rough-woven fabric that features bold geometric patterns and bright colors, telling it’s story in it’s design. Traditionally made by the Asante people of Ghana and the Ewes of Togo, Kente is one of the few handicrafts that is made by men rather than women. It’s created by a complicated process of dense designs woven in small stripes that together create a piece of cloth, which is in turn made into clothing. Real Kente is still a ceremonial outfit for many Africans – the equivalent of western formal wear.

 

At the end of the 1980’s in the United States, many African-Americans began to take on those traditional aspects of their heritage, and Kente cloth became a popular clothing choice. Eventually, printed Kente designs on plain woven material became a less expensive alternative to the traditional cloth, and the popularity of Kente increased. Today, the Kente design is seen on everything from clothing to accessories, and is a recognizable symbol of African pride.