Kente Cloth, Half Men’s Size, Ashanti, Ghana Narrow Strip Weaving, Vintage

Description

Kente cloth, half men’s size, made of 11 narrow silk and cotton strips hand sewn together in white, green, blue and red.  Has a lovely soft and silky feel that only comes with age. Circa 1960’s - 1970’s.
In overall very good vintage condition - has some blue staining on a few strips and some old repairs as seen in the photos. Size 36” wide x 128” long
From Wikipedia:
Kente cloth, known as nwentoma in Akan, is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strips and is native to the Akan of South Ghana. Originating in the Ashanti Kingdom, it has been adopted in many other West African counties.
Originally an Akan royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance, it was the cloth of kings. Over time, the use of kente became more widespread.
Akan kente is identified by its dazzling, multicolored patterns of bright colors, geometric shapes, and bold designs.  The cloths are identified primarily by the patterns found in the lengthwise (warp) threads. The colors in Kente cloth have meaning: • black—maturation, intensified spiritual energy • blue—peacefulness, harmony and love • green—vegetation, planting, harvesting, growth, spiritual renewal • gold—royalty, wealth, high status, glory, spiritual purity • grey—healing and cleansing rituals; associated with ash • maroon—the color of mother earth; associated with healing • pink—assoc. with the female essence of life; a mild, gentle aspect of red • purple—assoc. with feminine aspects of life; usually worn by women • red—political and spiritual moods; bloodshed; sacrificial rites and death. • silver—serenity, purity, joy; assoc. with the moon • white—purification, sanctification rites and festive occasions • yellow—preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility, beauty