Creating a Class Kente Cloth
The origins of Kente Cloth date back to the 12th century Africa, in the country of
Ghana. The cloth was worn by Kings, Queens and important figures of state in
Ghana society, during ceremonial events and special occasions. Kente cloth
received its name from the term “kenten” which means “basket,” because of
the cloth’s resemblance to the woven design of a basket. Ghana’s weavers
used looms to make four inch wide strips of Kente cloth and wove the strips
together to form larger garments. Their garments came in various colors, sizes
and designs, and behind each design was deep symbolic meaning.
Each Kente pattern was unique and had its own name. Weavers used vibrant
colors and complex designs to portray meaning. Kente cloth came to represent
the history, philosophy, ethics and moral values in African culture. Today many
African Americans wear it for inspiration, and a reflection of the artistic nature
of their African ancestors from Ghana.
As a class, we will be creating our own, Kente cloth. You will each be assigned
a “strip of cloth.” On the strip of cloth, you will draw repeating symbols which
will reflect one of the three major West African empires (either Mali, Songhai
or Ghana). Your symbols must reflect your reading and answers from the
questions done in class. At the end, you will divide into your “empire groups”
and assemble your Kente cloth. Your strip must include:
1. Eight symbols that represent the history, culture and leaders of your
empire (they must be in a repeating pattern). Use the questions from your
assigned empire handout to create the eight symbols.
2. A written explanation of each symbol on the back of your “strip of cloth.”
3. The use of vibrant colors.
Kente Cloth Questions for the Empires
Empire of Ghana
Ghana’s Beginnings
1. What did the first people of Ghana do for a living? (p. 130)
2. What type of instrument aided them in farming? (p. 131)
3. What, besides farming did the people do for a living? (p. 131)
Trade in Valuable Goods
1. What valuable resources did the people trade? (p. 131)
2. Where did the silent barter take place? (p. 132)
3. What instrument did they use for the silent barter? (p. 132)
Empire of Mali
Beginnings of the Empire/ Improvements in Mali
1. Who was Sundiata? (p. 136)
2. What was the new crop that was introduced in Mali? (p. 137)
Mansa Musa
1. What religion spread in Mali under Mansa Musa’s influence? (p. 138)
2. What did Mansa Musa give to the Egyptians (p.138)
3. Besides his religion, what else did Mansa Musa support?(p. 138)
Empire of Songhai
The Birth of the Empire
1. What religion were the Songhai which helped them trade with the Berbers?(p. 142)
Askia the Great/ Songhai Falls to Morocco
1.
2.
3.
4.
Who was Askia the Great? (p. 144)
Besides religion, what else did he support? (p. 144)
What did Askia create that was one of the first in West Africa? (p. 145)
What did the Moroccans want to control and what were the reasons they invaded
Songhai? (p. 145)
5. What new weapon did they bring? (p. 145)