Kente Cloth Lesson Plan

1. Kente refers to a Ghanaian textile made of woven strips of silk and cotton. "Kente" comes from a word in the Asante (known as Ashanti in English) dialect of the Akan language meaning "basket." It was initially reserved for royalty and ceremonies. Its aesthetic designs are intended as a storytelling medium, and the colors and patterns convey symbolism. Have students explore the origin and symbolism of this cloth. Who are the Akan people of Ghana? What do some of the colors signify? What do the patterns denote? Can non royalty wear kente garments?
2. Ask students to look at images of kente cloth patterns and colors and use them to inspire them as they create a kente design on paper. Have them cut several long strips of paper of various colors (or they can use markers to color plain paper). Then have them create colorful repeating designs on each strip of paper. They can then tape the back sides of the strips together.
3. Have the students present their Kente designs and discuss some of the colors and symbolism used in the designs.

SS: Culture: Create, learn, share, and adapt to culture.

SS: Individual Development and Identity: Describe factors important to the development of personal identity and the context of identity within families, peer or affinity groups, schools, communities, and nationalities. 

Have students learn about the fabled Ghanaian trickster Anansi the Spider. Folklore has it that Anansi's beautiful web inspired the weaving of Kente cloth.

Have students explore the similarities and differences between Ghanaian Adinkra cloth (which has patterns stamped on rather than woven in) and Kente cloth.