Africa Day / Kente-Inspired Paper Weaving
Kente-Inspired Paper Weaving
Children weave bold strips of coloured paper into patterns inspired by kente cloth from Ghana, learning that each colour in kente has its own meaning.
How to run it
- Show photos of kente cloth, woven by the Asante and Ewe peoples of Ghana, and share some colour meanings, such as gold for wealth, green for growth and blue for peace.
- Have children fold a sheet of card in half and cut evenly spaced slits from the fold, stopping before the edge, to make a loom.
- Weave contrasting paper strips over and under, alternating the start of each row to make a checked pattern.
- Glue down the ends and invite children to explain the colours they chose and why.
You will need
- coloured card for looms
- paper strips in gold, green, red, blue and black
- scissors
- rulers
- glue sticks
- photos of kente cloth
Make it easier or harderProvide pre-cut looms and wide strips for younger children; older children can design a pattern on grid paper first.
SafetySupervise scissors.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4, Outcome 2Children explore pattern and symbolism in a textile tradition from Ghana.
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