Ewe Kente: "Tracing the Roots of a Cultural Masterpiece".

By Kuwornu Priscilla Makafui

Kente is one of the traditional, finest handwoven textiles known for its rich cultural significance, originally associated with royalty, particularly among the Asantes and Ewes.

Historically, Kente was first worn by Lady Helena Rita Fathia Nkrumah, the wife of Ghana's first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. It was gifted to her by Bob Dennis Ahiagbe as a wedding dress, even though it was traditionally made for royalty. Today, it is used during festivals, weddings, and other special occasions among the people of Ghana and other countries worldwide.

In the heart of the Volta Region, especially in weaving hubs such as Agotime-Kpetoe and Agbozume, Ewe artisans craft narrow strips of cloth on double-heddle looms.

This is Ewe Kente, also known as Agbamevo (loom‑cloth)—a textile born from the words ke (open) and te (press) and tracing back to the 16th century as documented in Cabana Magazine.

An unknown beauty that talks about ewe Kente. Source: Googler.

What sets Ewe Kente apart is its figurative storytelling. The cloth features symbols such as birds, stools, plants, proverbs and objects woven through supplementary weft. Renowned patterns include Gabusu (unity brings strength), Tritriku (nothing lasts forever), Tsapim (jealousy) and Zevideka (let’s unite and move forward), each encapsulating a proverb or moral insight.

Ewe weavers utilised an almost identical form of the narrow-strip loom to that of the Asantes, and there is considerable evidence to suggest mutual influence between the weavers of the two traditions, as might be expected from the long history of contacts, both through trade and conquest between their peoples.

However, Ewe weaving has not only been shaped by internal traditions but has also been influenced by other neighbouring peoples, including the Fon of the Benin Republic and, most recently, the Yoruba of Nigeria.

A masterpiece that talks about history. source: Google

Colour in Ewe kente isn’t decorative—it’s meaningful. Black signals spiritual depth or mourning, while red symbolises sacrifice or danger. White, blue, and green, on the other hand, symbolise purity, harmony, and growth, respectively.

These clothes accompany life’s milestones—naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals—and even serve practical uses, such as carrying babies or aiding the sick. They are portable narratives of identity and community resilience.

The annual Agbamevo Festival, held each August (or November in Agbozume), celebrates this legacy with durbars, weaving contests and the crowning of a “Miss Kente”—a vibrant display of traditional craftsmanship and evolving design.

Although Ewe Kente shares origins with Asante Kente—Ewe weavers once taught their craft in Kumasi—it has maintained a decent, accessible character. It is woven by village men for everyday heroes; it remains a dynamic visual language of proverbs, ancestor stories, and communal pride.