Enjoy the colorfully woven, culturally and
historically significant Kente cloth from Ghana,
West Africa.

Discover the history and secrets of Kente cloth.
Learn how you can help this great nation develop
to its full potential!

From: Erik Scheller (Yaw Erik) and Samuel Boakye

Akwaaba (Welcome)!

• Are you looking for information on kente cloth? 

• Are you searching for authentic kente cloth from Ghana? 

• Do you want to see pictures and descriptions of various kente cloth patterns? 

• Do you want to know about kente cloth facts and kente cloth history? 

• Are you interested in knowing how kente cloth is made?

I certainly did when I was living in Ghana, West Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer. Most Ghanaians could not understand why an “obroni” (white man) would want to learn how to weave kente but they were still eager to show me. Kente weaving is so uniquely Ghanaian and so historically and culturally ingrained into their society that learning how to weave kente is learning about Ghana and its people. Plus, learning to make something so beautiful is motivation enough!

With the considerable help of a local weaver, I went to the “bush” to collect bamboo for the spools on which yarn would be spun. I went to Accra and Kumasi (the capital of Ghana and the “capital” of the Ashanti people, respectively) to buy the necessary yarn and some of the tools. I helped prepare the yarn for weaving. Due to my generous proportions, I had to build my own loom. After a bit of instructions, I was doing a terrible job at weaving simple kente. My teachers felt bad that I was wasting cloth but felt good that I was at least trying.

During my entire stay in Ghana Samuel Boakye’s father kept an eye on me. He made sure I had clean water, my cloths were clean and ironed (including my underwear for that matter...that's a different story. If you're curious, just ask), and that the communal laborers showed up to the project site. I got to know him and his family well. Asking a Ghanaian if he knows about kente is like asking an American if he knows about jeans. Samuel grew up with kente. His father’s friends are kente weavers, his neighbor’s are kente weavers, and kente is simply a part of life. Mind you, kente is a formal cloth and for Ghanaians an expensive cloth. I call it the Ghanaian tuxedo.

Upon my return from my Peace Corps service in Ghana, West Africa, I was often asked about kente. I usually would be either showing my pictures or wearing some kente or even an entire kente cloth. Although I knew a bit about weaving kente, many questions remained unanswered. When I tried to find answers online, I first had to sieve through all the sites exhibiting kente but which provided little more than a paragraph of information. I finally went back to my contacts in Ghana and surprisingly even they had a bit difficulty finding good information in a print form.

I gave away much of my simple lengths of kente to friends and those bound and determine to own some kente themselves. Soon my supply ran out and I wanted to acquire more for gifts and such. Gratefully I had my contacts in Ghana because many of the sites online sell expensive full size cloths and those that did sell smaller pieces had poor or no online purchase capabilities. I wanted to know more about kente and be able to gift more of it to friends.

I also wanted to find ways to help out the people of Ghana. More business in developing worlds will help them improve their country’s economic situation. Handouts are necessary for these people to survive but to grow independent these countries must remain stable, have sufficient business, and retain their educated people. Ever since I returned from Ghana, I have found ways to help out. My mother thinks I am crazy sometimes because I even went into debt giving. I have helped Samuel Sarpong obtain his university education, helped Prince Dzomeku purchase a taxi, and now I am working with Samuel Boakye to improve his life.

As a result of wanting to help Samuel, Ghana in general, and to bring kente to America, Samuel and I are joining forces and are offering various high quality kente designs. We are also offering more in depth information about "my" Ghana and the history of kente and the process of weaving kente. 

With the kente stole and information:

Samuel and my hope is by providing more information on Ghana or at least one of its most culturally and historically significant art forms, kente weaving, we will encourage you to explore what Ghana has and can offer to you. Samuel and I want to share with you the beauty of kente. We want to share the history of kente and its place in Ghanaian culture. I selfishly want to add color in an elegant and artistic fashion to most of the bland homes here in the USA. Kente will certainly add color and texture to any home. At the same time, owning kente means you also have the Ghanaians in your mind and support their community.

Many Marvelous Designs

Each of the kente stoles are 4” wide to 77” long, more or less, and sell between $22-35 a piece plus shipping and handling. This price allows us to buy quality handmade kente cloth and contribute $3 toward our scholarships and business loans in Ghana. With each order you will also automatically receive information about your design, if available, kente in general, and general Ghana information.  

Learn More!

Over time I have been exposed to more resources related to kente and Ghana.  If you are interested in visiting Ghana and/or reading more about Ghana and kente, check out the following books, maps, and other resources for people of any age group. 

Please, I always wish to add to my knowledge and this list so if you find something out there not in this list let me know at info@kentesource.com.