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Ghana's Kente cloth is included in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity . The list includes related artefacts, wisdom, and manifestations that communities acknowledge as being a part of their cultural identity .A significant step towards the international recognition of Africa’s cultural riches and economic potential has been taken with the recent inclusion of Ghana’s Kente cloth, among other African artefacts and customs, in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Early in December, at the 19th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay, the updated global list was unveiled.
UNESCO claims 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.
Along with related artefacts and locations, the list include the customs, wisdom, and manifestations that communities acknowledge as being a part of their cultural identity. In particular, the Akan tribe of Ghana produces a fabric called kente, which is made of cotton and silk. The ancient Ashanti Kingdom and the Ivory Coast’s Akans both frequently woven it. It is also worn by numerous other Akan-influenced tribes. According to the Unesco acceptance notice document, “the fabric encourages information transfer and exchange, and people of all genders are involved in the production process.”
The process of making Kente cloth is a masterwork of authenticity and creativity that transcends its ethnic origins. Cotton is gathered by hand, wound onto bobbins, then spun into thread using a spindle. In order for traditional wooden looms to function, the warp must be laid. Here, basic materials are transformed by expert weavers who expertly weave colourful, symbolic designs. A Ghanaian community leader named George-Grandy Hallow claims that for Ghanaians, kente is more than just a style of clothing; it is a representation of their pride and inventiveness. “It is now utilised in modern designs like purses and shoes, demonstrating its adaptability and significance in the present era.”
Due to its peculiarity, the cloth has gained notoriety on a global scale. Kente’s broad appeal throughout West Africa and the world is demonstrated by the fact that buyers travel to Ghana to buy it for resale from nations like Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, and others. In order to enjoy and purchase genuine Kente, tourists travel to Ghana from the US, Canada, the UK, and other countries. The 2023 Africa Fashion Up was won by Ivorian designer Aristide Loua, the creator of the brand Kente Gentleman, which is based on the craft of Kente craftsmanship via distinctive modern designs. This highlights the timeless legacy and growing significance of this famous African textile in modern fashion.
UNESCO has recognised more than only Kente. The Bakalanga people of Botswana have a rainmaking practice known as the Wosana rite. In the Northeast and Central Districts, it includes music, dance, feasts, prayer, and rites. Every member of the community takes part, with traditional leadership defining roles. Through mentoring and observation, knowledge is transmitted, and new practitioners are pledged to secrecy regarding its sacred elements.
UNESCO has also recognised the balafon and kulintang, wooden xylophones from Indonesia and West Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire), which have similar features and cultural value. They are more than simply tools; they stand for harmony, respect, and unity of culture, encouraging communication and harmonious intercommunal coexistence.
The performing arts of the Twāyef people of Ghbonten, Tunisia; the Henna ceremonies and artistic practices in Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia; and the Mangwengwe dance of Zambia are among the other African traditions that have been added to the UNESCO list. Traditions like the Eastern Algerian women’s ceremonial costumes, the Cameroonian Ngondo worship, the Côte d’Ivoire Attiéké production skills, the Mauritania Epic of Samba Gueladio, the Durbar tradition in Kano, Nigeria, the Semsemiah crafting and playing instrument in Egypt, and the Somali-Issa oral laws of the Somali-Issa communities in Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia were also honoured on the list.
African nations have enormous potential to leverage their rich cultural legacy and propel notable economic progress. According to the UNECA, Africa exports cultural commodities worth just approximately US$725 million, despite the fact that the total value of international trade in these goods exceeds US$18 trillion. Africa can leverage its rich cultural legacy and creativity to propel economic progress, generate employment, and establish itself as a major player in the global market, since the global creative sector is predicted to reach US$985 billion by 2025.
