kente

[ken-tey]

noun

1. a colorful fabric of Ghanaian origin: often worn as a symbol of African American pride.

   Thousands of vivid shirts made a sea of kente along the parade route.

   I hadn't realized there was so much kente cloth in all of Manhattan.

kente

/ ˈkɛntɪ /

noun

1. Also called: kente cloth. a brightly coloured handwoven cloth of Ghana, usually with some gold thread

2. the toga made of this cloth

Word History and Origins

Origin of kente¹

First recorded in 1950–55; from Twi

Word History and Origins

Origin of kente¹

from a Ghanaian language, possibly Akan

Example Sentences

She also points out her extensive African section, which features heavy, hand-beaded neckpieces and Kente cloth dresses — some of which were worn in “Black Panther.”

From Los Angeles Times

The son of Ghanaian immigrants, Boateng reimagined the country's iconic kente cloth to produce his signature "tribal" pattern.

From BBC

Diversity initiatives have been scuttled, the kente cloth draped in the Capitol has been folded and forgotten, its symbolism exposed as empty theater.

From Slate

Architect Susan Nwankpa Gillespie designed the exterior of the second floor of the ADU with kente cloth in mind.

From Los Angeles Times

As Martin put it on his show: “Oh, now all of a sudden you want to put on a kente coat, now all of a sudden you want to act like you’re championing African Americans.”

From Slate