UNESCO has added Ghana’s Kente cloth to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The famous material comes from the Asante and Ewe people of Ghana and dates back to the seventeenth century A.D.
Known all over the world for its vivid hues, elaborate designs, and profound symbolic connotations, Kente embodies the Ghanaian people’s ingenuity and unique identity.
The colorful, handwoven fabric’s cultural and historical significance is highlighted by its international designation under the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.
UNESCO proposes that because “it is a means of identity construction, reflecting the social histories of various communities,” Kente should be listed among the intangible heritage items that state parties and concerned communities believe urgent action is needed to preserve.
The acceptance document also said that “people of all genders are involved in the production process, and the fabric promotes information transfer and exchange.”
Africa News reports that Andrew Egyapa Mercer, the Minister of Tourism, called the award “a testament to Ghana’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.”
Mercer stated, “This achievement places Ghana at the forefront of global efforts to safeguard and celebrate cultural traditions.”
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MoTAC) thanked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, UNESCO, the artisans, cultural institutions, and traditional authorities that helped make this milestone possible. The towns of Bonwire and Agotime received special recognition for their longstanding commitment as stewards of the art.
Because of its originality, the cloth attracts people from all over the world. Kente is so popular in West Africa and around the world that buyers from Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, and more travel to Ghana to buy it for resale. Additionally, tourists from the U.S., Canada, the UK, and other countries travel to Ghana to experience and purchase genuine Kente.
