Ashanti Kente Cloth

Kente as we know it was developed by the Ashanti people in the 17th Century A.D. Kente is said to have originated when a man by the name of Ota Karaban and his friend Kwaku Ameyaw (hailing from the town of Bonwire) learned the art of making Kente Cloth by observing a spider weaving its spider web. They watched the spider carefully and mimicked its actions to weave the first Kente Cloth. They supposedly reported their accomplishment to their local chief, Nana Bobie, who in turn reported it to the Asantehene (Ashanti Chief). The Asantehene was very impressed by the craftsmanship, decreed it a royal cloth, and used it for special occasions to show his prestige. Today in Ghana, both the Ashanti, Ewe and many various tribes are well known for their expertise in creating this cloth.