We had the opportunity a while back to escape the city and visit a Kente Festival. Kente is a traditional way of weaving cloth, and is beautiful. There are numberless patterns with new ones added all the time. It was explained to me that this particular kente festival was held by one tribe in honor of their defeat of another one that had been taking their people in war and selling them as slaves for years. The festival has been held for the many years ever since, but now other tribes are invited to join them. The festival is to center around the kente cloth, the selection and honoring of a master kente weaver, and many booths selling the material and other traditional crafts. It includes so much more, though. Traditional music, dancing, a beauty pageant, and more. It was a cultural feast!
Some samples of the Kente cloth.
As you can see, it included acrobats.
Tribal royalty in traditional dress.
The inevitable hawkers selling wares carried on top of the head.
Tribal royalty with the staffs of office.
Tribal royalty greeting visitors. We shook hands with a village/clan queen (at least that was the term everyone was using - I do not know how accurate it is) and her entourage along with other clan chiefs, etc.
There were many processions of royalty into the field where we were gathered on the edge of town. As you can see, most wore traditional dress and many ceremonial items were carried in.
One of the chieftains being carried in. They paused in front of us and shortly after this shot was taken he stood up and danced with his feet on the parapet surrounding the litter. In this picture you can see the men who were carrying him, and holding him up as he danced. The girl is official company on such occasions. I was told she can be a servant or a relative.
Here he is dancing. It was very impressive.
Not the best picture but here he is standing up on the parapet as the crowd cheers him on. It was incredible!
Another chieftain dancing. He was waving a sword. His litter was also held up above the heads of his bearers.
Another litter being carried in.
The entry of more dignitaries. All treated the visitors warmly.
The Queen of the Festival (on the right) and her court.
Participants in traditional dress.
I think it would be best to label these young ladies as festival staff. They kept things working smoothly and made us feel welcome.
The traditional drummers performing with a young man dancing on the right. His actions also struck me as traditional, but that is only supposition on my part.
The entire entourage of one of the villages seated in their place, playing their official role.
There were so many dignitaries in procession wearing differing traditional outfits. Another example.
The outfits vary considerably.
This illustrates the enthusiasm with which visitors were received.
I am not sure what role these two women played but we found them interesting.
Traditional women's dance.
And we were very glad to see that the security forces were on hand to keep us safe.
All in all, it was educational and moving. We were thrilled to be immersed in such a cultural experience.
Elder Emfield
