Kente Weaving Workshop w/ Kwasi Asare

About this event

About Kente Weaving

The origins of Kente cloth date back to 12th century Africa, in the country of Ghana and the Ashanti people. The cloth was worn by Kings, Queens, and important figures of state in Ghana's society during ceremonial events and special occasions. Each Ashanti king would create a new Kente design after close consultation with master weavers during his reign. This new Kente design had to be chosen with great care because its pattern and symbolic meaning would always be associated with this particular king. The Kente cloth received its name from the term "kenten," which means "basket," because of the cloth's woven design. Each Kente pattern was unique and had its own name. Weavers used vibrant colors and complex designs to portray the cloth's profound philosophical meaning. Kente cloths came to represent the history, philosophy, ethics, and moral values of Ghanaian culture.

About Kwasi Asare

Andrew Asare popularly known as Kwasi Asare is a master kente weaver, teacher and mathematician from the eastern region of Ghana , West Africa. Kwasi started to explore the art of weaving at a very young age and began learning different designs and patterns. The tradition of kente weaving in his family started with his father, A.E. Asare, who was a master kente weaver and had trained many other weavers under him. Kwasi however had to learn the skill of weaving from one of his father’s apprentices, Opanyin Dappah , due to the demise of his father at a very young age. This did not deter his progress, as Kwasi was naturally drawn to carrying on his father’s tradition.

Having been actively involved in the field of kente weaving for over 30 years, Kwasi has successfully trained other weavers, performed demonstrations on the kente loom and also organized several weaving workshops internationally.