Ghanaian Kente Cloth and Adinkra Symbols

Adinkra Stamps

A few weeks back all of the University of California Education Abroad (UCEAP) students visited two villages outside of Kumasi (about four hours away from Accra) where we learned how to make Kente cloth, and had the opportunity to stamp our own Adinkra cloths. Kente cloth is intricately woven fabric that has become the symbol of Africa for African nations and Adinkra symbols are a unique art of printing dating back to the 13th century. Both of these cloths originated in Ghana. 

All of the symbols have a different meaning, which can be seen by clicking HERE. The combination of different symbols can relay different messages. 

Before the cloth can be stamped, the ink has to be created. It is made from a special type of bark, and the entire process of ink making takes a couple weeks. The first stage is flattening the bark by smashing it repeatedly with a stick. 

Smashed Bark for Ink

After the bark has been flattened, it gets heated up over several days and eventually turns into a form of ink. All of the students were fortunate enough to be able to chose two symbols and stamp our cloths. As a new Rotarian, I decided to chose symbols that correspond with my Rotarian values. (If you don’t know what a Rotarian is, be sure to check out THIS link!) The symbol (sort of) resembling a ladder symbolises a snake climbing a raffia tree. It means “doing something impossible and being persistent” or never giving up. The symbol consisting of multiple circles is a warning against bossiness and symbolises exhorting humility and servitude in others. 

Adinkra Symbols Stamped onto Cloth

We also had the pleasured of learning how to make Kente cloth, which is a very strenuous process. After purchasing and dying the thread (all of it comes white),  it needs to be spooled (While its possible to buy string that has already been spooled, its much to expensive for the villagers.) 

Spooling the Thread

After, they have to create the base for their Kente cloth, which they do by walking the spooled string back and forth multiple times between two pegs. 

Afterward, they bring the base to the loom. The looms are both awesome and very intricate. After attaching the base to the loom, they weave a second spool of thread back and forth through the loom to create different patterns.

The process can take anywhere from a couple of days to over a month. Although in the United States sewing, weaving, and related crafts are often thought as things that “women do”, it is customary for men to be the only ones who weave Kente cloth. Women are allowed to make them however, they are not allowed to sell the cloths they create. 

I purchased a triple woven (extra durable) Kente cloth for 130 cedi (approximately $32) which I can have made into a dress. In the meantime, it makes a great blanket.