Modena goes gay with Kente Show

A fantastic display of Ghanaians culture, in the midst of traditional drumming and dancing, characterised a 2-day ‘Kente’ Cloth Show Festival in Modena, Italy.

The over 1,000 audience who turned up, especially those Italians, other nationals and the Ghanaian youths born in Italy and have no idea about their cultural background at such events had their eyes full with vivid demonstration of the Ghanaian heritage.

Not to such an extent has an event of this nature, within the Ghanaians community in Italy, been painted with so much glamour and spectacle as to what was witnessed at this Show. A demonstration of Chiefs and people at a durbar in Ghana, ‘adowa’ and ‘kete’ dances (two of the traditional dances in Ghana), installation of a Chief in Ghana, traditional story telling and a practical demonstration of weaving the ‘Kente’ cloth using the local loom were some of the highlight in the event.

It was so beautifully put together it really caught the attention of all who were present. An Italian presswoman beaming with smiles and apparently consumed by all that was happening (perhaps seeing for the first time a LIVE performance of such event from Africa) looked on in awe and quipped infront of me: ‘davvero bello’(truly, it’s beautiful) and she clicked her camera several times to capture the captivating moments. It got so ‘heated’ up the special guests from Ghana, Hon. Dasebre Kwebu Ewusie VII (President of the House of Chiefs in the Central Region and a member of the Council of State in Ghana) and Nana Ama Amissah (Queenmother of Mankesim) took their turn to show their skills in the traditional dances.

Earlier, the Chairman for the occasion, Hon. Seth Agyei Baah (member of the delegation from Ghana and MP for Nkawkaw) in a key note address expressed his gratitude to Heritage International Club in Modena (organisers of the event) and said he has realised how Ghanaians in Italy have stuck to their culture despite staying in a foreign land. “The history of Ghana is within the culture of its people. The ‘Kente’ cloth has consistently been part of our culture and we are here to let the world know we have culture and values,” he told the teeming audience.

The event organised to promote and market the ‘Kente’ cloth had on display and sale varieties of the cloth with its attractive colours, all donated by Bosumpim Kusi, the President of African Design Concept, Inc., based in New York City. There were also souvenirs, hand bags, men’s tie, vests and shirts all made from ‘Kente’ cloth.

The glamorous entries of Chiefs and people demonstrating a durbar in Ghana was greeted with traditional drumming and dancing and Nana Yaw Yiadom Djata the 1st (Chief representing the Ghanaian community in Udine), Obaahimaa Adubaa (Queenmother) and their entourage were the first to arrive. They were followed by Nana Kumi Ababio the 2nd, Nana Akua Boateng (Queen mother) and their group representing the community of Ghanaians in Parma. Also present were Nana Ampem Ankamah Dada the 1st and Nana Owusua Akyeam Acheamong and their group representing the Brong Ahafo citizens in Modena. Then the special guests, Hon. Dasebre Kwebu Ewusie VII, the Queenmother Nana Ama Amissah and their entourage came in. It was a striking scene with all the regalia and pageantry being displayed as they converged in the hall with drumming and dancing, a scene which gave a good picture of what takes place at such events in Ghana.

Other NGO groups, among them, Unity Womens’ Club, the Golden Eight, all based in Modena, also showed up whilst a group of young ladies from Cameroun and some Ghanaian youths entertained the audience with traditional dances and songs.

The history of the ‘Kente’ cloth, which spanned from the 11th century, was narrated by Bosumpim Kusi who told the audience ‘Kente’ is an Asante ceremonial cloth and has its roots in the word ‘kenten’, (an Akan word for basket). “The first ‘Kente’ weavers used raffia fibres to weave the cloths that look like a basket and thus were referred to as ‘kenten ntoma’ meaning basket cloth,” he said. In its many variations and background the cloth symbolises, among others, STRONG FAMILY BOND, THE VALUE OF FAMILY UNITY, COLLECTIVE WORK, RESPONSIBILITY & COOPERATION, COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP, HERIOC DEEDS, SELF-SACRIFICE, SPIRITUAL VITALITYAND REBIRTH.

For the first time many Ghanaians in the audience, who have no idea of how the ‘Kente’ cloth is woven were given a practical demonstration by Nana Owusu Boateng (also known as Agya Owusu) using a local loom for weaving the cloth called, ‘bonwire’. He appears to know all the ‘A’s and ‘B’s about weaving the fabric as he educated the audience on what it takes to make the cloth, the intricacies in making various brands, how long it takes to finish with one piece and how local weavers make an income from the ‘Kente’ trade.

The occasion brought another significant feature with a demonstration of how a Chief is installed before a Council of Elders in Ghana and here Nkansah Darko, also made ‘Kente’ King, was carried high and brought before seated Hon. Dasebre Kwebu Ewusie VII, and Nana Ama Amissah (Queenmother) and sworn-in.

The event clearly demonstrated a good image about Ghana and at times I have to pinch myself to be aware I’m standing in a hall whose outside shows a different view and not a local township in Ghana. To add to the African atmosphere, Abena Nyankwaah, clad in a typical Ghanaian cloth, also told a traditional local story depicting a scene in Ghana.

Also striking was a Fashion Show under which young Ghanaians and two Italians paraded in some of the finest wears made with ‘Kente’. They set the audience in loud cheers and in over 30 different designs and cuts displayed each has its unique attraction.

The event was sponsored by Malomo Group - Ghana, Compagna Italiano Vini - Modena, African Design Concept Foundation - Bronx New York, Peterland Global Services - Modena and Afriqiyah Airways.