Considered one of the most significant textiles of the African subcontinent, kente cloth was historically made from silk, reserved for chiefs and kings, and worn as festive dress on special occasions, such as a gathering of elders or the inauguration of new royalty. To create kente cloth, individual textiles are woven, cut up, and sewn together in elaborate patchwork patterns. The word kente is derived from kenten - the word for basket in the Twi language of the Ghana-Togo mountains _ because of the resemblance between the woven patchwork textile and the region's baskets. In addition to being worn on special occasions, kente cloth has traditionally appeared in other prominent ceremonial objects, including drums, shields, fans, and umbrellas. This style of kente cloth comes from the Ewe people of Togo and Ghana.
