Date: Fri 04-Sep-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDYC

Quick Words:

The-Newark-Museum-Kente-Cloth

Full Text:

Wrapped In Pride

(W/1 Cut)

NEWARK, NJ -- Once known only to residents of the Gold Coast of West Africa,

today kente is worn by individuals all over the world. However, few understand

the roots of symbolism of the colorful strip-woven cloth of the Asante and Ewe

people of Ghana.

From September 17 through January 3, an exhibition exploring the history,

evolutions, technique, and diversity of traditional Asante and Ewe kente --

and the meanings attached to its use -- will be at The Newark Museum.

"Wrapped in Pride: Ghanaian Kente and African American Identity" brings

together some 185 examples of traditional and modern kente cloth. A range of

patterns will be displayed and explored, from an Oyokoman pattern once

reserved for members of royalty, dating to circa 1720, and a pattern from the

1960s named in honor of then newly opened Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam.

Kente is a hand-woven, narrow strip cloth -- often containing bright, primary

colors with patterned motifs at regular intervals -- that has long been a part

of the ritual culture of traditional Ghanaian society. It is produced in

greater quantity, exported to more places and incorporated into a greater

variety of forms than any other African fabric. Today, kente is prominent in

contemporary African American society as well, often embraced as a symbol of

black identity.

In exploring the impact of kente cloth on mid to late Twentieth Century

African and American cultures, "Wrapped In Pride" describes both the

traditional and popular definitions of kente cloth, exploring the underlying

dynamics of kente to uncover why it has become Africa's most widely known

hand-woven cloth. In doing so, it pays tribute to this distinctive artistic

tradition and recognizes its significant place within contemporary American

culture.

Kente's inspiration can be found in visual art forms as diverse as greeting

cards, book covers, clothing and household accessories. Clearly over time, for

African Americans as well as for Americans of other cultural backgrounds, the

textile has developed multiple meanings beyond its original uses in Ghanaian

society.

The exhibition's introduction will provide a presentation of kente's oral

traditions supplemented by Asante proverbs. With "The Weaving of Kente,"

museum-goers will see the stages involved in producing a kente cloth, from

skeins of thread to finish textile. This segment includes an authentic kente

loom, videos of weavers at work, textile samples and an interactive

educational component.

The installation will include two recreated Ghanaian kente "stores" in The

Market, designed to give viewers a sense of the rich variety of kente cloth

and its byproducts. This section explores how kente cloth is sold in Ghana at

a shop in Bonwaire, the village of specialist weavers for the Asante royal

court, and at a stall in the bustling textile market of Accra.

"The Wearing of Kente" will focus on the appropriate modes of wearing kente in

Ghana, and on the variety of contexts in which kente defines the occasion.

In "The Fine Art of Kente," outstanding masterpieces of Asante and Ewe weaving

will be displayed, along with a series of cloths that illustrates the naming

of kente designs and the essential differences between Asante and Ewe.

Admission is free at The Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, and hours are

Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 pm. For information on related programs,

973/596-6550.