Artwork : ArchiveNo00168

Kente Cloth 2006


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Artefact

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Contributor

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ContributionForm
Contributor Name Mabel Maginn
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Profession

Location Waterlooville
Collection Date 21.09.08 3.15pm
Artefact Name Kente Cloth
Artefact Description Made of cotton, the design in called ‘Fatia’. Two geometric patterns – one with small check squares – orange and green. The second pattern is made of stripes in burgundy, cream and gold. Natural dye has been used. 3 x 2m
Good condition.
Artefact Date 2006
Artefact Stored In suitcase in wardrobe
Artefact Form

Artefact Image 00168_kente.jpg
Sample Taken Cotton from edge of material.
Sample Image

History of Artefact The Kente garment dates back four hundred years. Originating in Ghana, kings and queens would wear them in ceremony. The men would wear them as a toga, the women would wear them as a skirt. Worn today by anyone who can afford them. This particular pattern was worn by the president of Ghana in the 1960s – Kwami Nkrumah. His wife also wore this pattern – her name was Fatia – hence the name of the design. The design symbolised the union of Eqypt and Ghana. The colours represent various things – the green represents plant forms, the gold represents wealth and royalty and the maroon represents the earth. ‘It was bought from a market in my home town in Ghana.’
Historian

Previous Owners None
Special Memories ‘I wear it and it reminds me of my identity. I would wear it as a shawl to parties and gatherings and it immediately informs people of my identity.’
Artwork Image 00168_web.jpg

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