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Kente cloth has significant meaning to the Asante people of Africa. The history of kente cloth dates back to the 12th century, when the cloth was worn by kings and queens, and important figures of African society. The word kente comes from the word "kenten," which means "basket," because of the cloth's resemblance to the woven design of a basket. The people of Ghana use looms to create four inch wide strips of kente cloth, and weave the strips together to form garments, pillows, etc...

Each kente pattern is unique and has its own name, some patterns stand for hunting, others stand for wealth or for food. Weavers use bright African colors in all the designs to portray the philosophical meaning behind each piece. Today people across the globe are wearing Kente cloth to gain a renewed sense of history and pride for the motherland of Africa. It is more than just a fashion statement, it is a source of inspiration and reflection.

Symbolic meanings of the colors in Kente cloth:

black -- maturation, intensified spiritual energy
blue -- peacefulness, harmony and love
green -- vegetation, planting, harvesting, growth, spiritual renewal
gold -- royalty, wealth, high status, glory, spiritual purity
grey -- healing and cleansing rituals; associated with ash
maroon -- the color of mother earth; associated with healing
pink -- assoc. with the female essence of life; a mild, gentle aspect of red
purple -- assoc. with feminine aspects of life; usually worn by women
red -- political and spiritual moods; bloodshed; sacrificial rites and death.
silver -- serenity, purity, joy; assoc. with the moon
white -- purification, sanctification rites and festive occasions
yellow -- preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility

A variety of kente patterns have been invented, each of which has a certain concept or concepts traditionally associated with it. For example, the Obaakofoo Mmu Man pattern symbolizes democratic rule; Emaa Da, novel creativity and knowledge from experience; and Sika Fre Mogya, responsibility to share monetary success with one's relations.

Similar traditional varieties of cloth are known to various tribes throughout West Africa. In the West, they are often all called 'kente'.

Legend has it that kente was first made by two friends who went hunting in a forest and found a spider making its web. The friends stood and watched the spider for two days then returned home and implemented what they had seen.