Rare Handwoven Ashanti Kente “Fathia Nkumah” – Woman Size 209 × 105 cm

Rare Handwoven Ashanti Kente – “Fathia Nkumah” Woman Size (1970s)

Discover this exquisite vintage Handwoven Ashanti Kente, a rare “Fathia Nkumah” design from the 1970s named after Fathia, wife of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. This ceremonial cloth is a treasure of West African heritage.

• Size: 82 ½″ × 41 ½″ (209 cm × 105 cm)
• Condition: Very good vintage condition minor stains, 3 small holes, slight color running and typical wear from age.
• Origin: Handcrafted in Kumasi, Ghana on a horizontal treadle loom.

Each brightly colored strip was handwoven and then carefully stitched together. The process, depending on design complexity, can take several weeks to several months making each piece a true work of art.

Why This Ashanti Kente Is Special

This “Fathia” cloth is one of the most celebrated and visually spectacular Ghana Ashanti Kente styles highly prized by collectors. Kente cloth represents more than ornament; it embodies centuries of Ashanti history, philosophy, oral tradition, and spiritual values.

About Ashanti Kente

The tradition of Ashanti Kente dates back to the 17th century in the Ashanti (Asante) region of Ghana. Woven on horizontal treadle looms, each cloth is built strip by strip, then sewn together to create the full piece. Motifs and color combinations carry deep symbolic meanings.

• Color symbolism: Black for maturation and spiritual energy; gold for purity and prestige; green for growth; blue for peace and harmony; red for political and spiritual moods; white for purification.
• Materials: Traditionally cotton, rayon, and occasionally rare silk threads. Silk-inlay pieces are especially luxurious and uncommon.
• Symbolism in Patterns: Geometric shapes and motifs reference proverbs, historical events, and moral values.
• Cultural Roles: Kente is worn during significant events weddings, funerals, festivals and signifies status, identity, and heritage.
• Ashanti vs Ewe Kente: Ashanti Kente often features bold, rectilinear designs and a broader color palette. Ewe Kente, from southeastern Ghana and Togo, tends toward narrower strips, more delicate patterns, and subtler color arrangements.
• Historical Significance: Originating with the Ashanti kingdom’s royal weavers, Kente evolved from commoner strip cloths to symbols of royalty and prestige. It remains an enduring emblem of Ghanaian identity and artistry.

This authentic Handwoven Ashanti Kente not only celebrates a historic design linked to Ghana’s first lady it also serves as a stunning wall hanging, ceremonial garment, or statement textile for any collector.

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