The symbolism of Kente cloth

Jun 11, 2024 | #Stories

At our Juneteenth Diocesan Feast this Saturday, we will be using Kente cloth as part of the service vestments. Kente cloth has been in use for close to 1000 years. Originating in Ghana in the 12th century, the name Kente is derived from the Ewe and Akan people’s word “Kenten” which translates to basket and refers to the intricate patterns and designs of the cloth. Kente cloth was reserved for use by royalty until Ghana’s independence in 1958, when it gained popularity as a symbol of political strength and power and was worn by the general public.

“Kente is a meaningful sartorial device, as every aspect of its aesthetic design is intended as communication. The colors of the cloth each hold symbolism:

gold – status/serenity, royalty
yellow – fertility,
green – renewal, growth
blue – pure spirit/harmony, peace
red – passion, blood
black – union with ancestors/spiritual awareness.”^[1]
white – purity, festive occasions
purple or maroon: Mother Earth, healing
pink – femininity

Kente cloth grew in popularity around the world around the 1960s as African countries gained their independence and in the United States during the civil rights movement. In 1958 President Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president after independence, wore a Kente cloth stole to his meeting with President Eisenhower. Wearing Kente stole became more popular after President Nkrumah gave Muhammed Ail a stole during his visit to Ghana in 1964.

Episcopal Bishop Barbara Harris [3]

During the civil rights movement, Kente cloth became a symbol of solidarity in the fight for freedom, justice, and equality for Black people and people of color in the United States and as a way of showing solidarity with the struggles of allied brothers and sisters across the globe. It became a symbol that connected people of African descent with the continent, the motherland. Today, Kente cloth is worn by people of the African Diaspora as a symbol of connection and, as a way to celebrate heritage, whether at graduations, weddings, or holiday events such as Juneteenth.

Kente cloth was first introduced to The Episcopal Church as part of the bishop’s vestments for the ordination of Bishop Barbara Harris in 1988. Her vestments were full-cut, off-white silk made with special rose-colored women weave Kente cloth from Ghana. Bishop’s Harris ordination was so significant that many women preparing for ordination requested small remnants of the fabric to incorporate into their vestments.^[2]

Recently, at our Diocesan Bishop’s Ordination service on May 3, the Afro-Anglican Commission and the Northern California Vivian Traylor Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians presented the Rt. Rev. Austin Keith Rios, Bishop Co-adjutor, with a bishop’s Kente cloth stole.

In February 2024, during the Absalom Jones service at St. Adian’s, San Francisco, Bishop Marc Handley Andrus was presented with a bishop’s shirt with a Kente cloth collar.

For the 2024 Juneteenth Service, and for future services that honor the contributions of African Americans in The Episcopal Church, the altar will be dressed with Kente cloth, and many clergy members will wear either red or Kente cloth stoles. The Northern California/Vivian Traylor chapter of UBE received a very generous gift from St. Gregory of Nyssa and the Rev. Paul Fromberg of an Ethiopian Processional cross draped with Kente cloth. This cross will be used during the Juneteenth service. It is another way to commemorate and honor the saints of Ebony hue, who have led us thus far by faith.

We hope to see you at this year’s Juneteenth Service at St. Paul’s Oakland at 11:00 am this Saturday. All clergy are welcome to vest and process. (see Eventbrite info here).