Kente cloth is made from narrow woven strips in several parts of Ghana, including Denu. The strips are sewn together to form a large, rectangular cloth that is traditionally worn wrapped around the body. |
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| This Kente cloth is on exhibit in the National Museum in Accra, Ghana. Ewe Kente features animals and motifs that tell stories. | The late Bobbo Ahiagble demonstrates one of several ways way to wear Kente. | |||
Ewe Kente Weaving:
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| Dyed thread is wound onto bobbins that will be put on a bobbin rack during warping. | The warp is placed on a weighted sled that creeps forward as the strip is woven. | |
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| Kwami Hgbemehia weaves in Bobbo's workshop. His toes pull down round pieces of coconut shell tied to nylon heddles to change the sheds to weave single and double cloth. | Kwami's cotton warp and weft were dipped in cassava starch after dying to make them stronger. Four warp threads in each heddle produce weft faced weaving. | Kwami may be contacted at PO Box 74, Denu, Ghana, West Africa, phone: 0242-878350. |
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For consistency, the motif is measured.. |
When finished, woven strips are cut apart. |
Then Bobbo sews them together to produce Kente cloth, place mats, and table runners. |
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| In a workshop in Srohume village (Agbozume) near Denu, Samuel Amegayce weaves, winds the woven strip, then begins another motif more quickly than you can imagine. He's been weaving for 35 years - since he was fifteen. | ||
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| Sixteen year old Christian Dogbey weaves lustrous rayon strips in the same workshop. Rayon is strong enough that it does not need to be dipped in cassava starch. | |
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Multiple string heddles help weavers quickly weave intricate motifs in Srohume. |
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