kente

Where does the word "kente" come from? It comes from Akan (Twi) kɛntɛn, and was adopted directly into English (1950s-1960s).

Kente’s story begins in Akan (Twi): kɛntɛn meant “basket.” Meant "basket"; applied to the cloth because its woven pattern resembled basket-weave. It reached English by 1950s-1960s as kente. Entered English as Ghana neared independence and the cloth became an international symbol of African heritage. Today, kente means a brightly colored, hand-woven Ghanaian ceremonial cloth with geometric patterns.

1. Stage 1 · Akan (Twi) · 1600s kɛntɛn "basket", meant "basket"; applied to the cloth because its woven pattern resembled basket-weave.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1950s-1960s kente "brightly colored, hand-woven ceremonial cloth", entered English as Ghana neared independence and the cloth became an international symbol of African heritage.