Creating Jobs, Enhancing trade through Culture and Fashion’ - Bonwire Kente Festival Launched

The Launch of the Annual celebration of the Rich Kente Festival of the Asante’s came off yesterday, October 2, 2019 at Bonwire in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipal.

This year’s event was themed based on the significance and the impact Kente weaving has and is playing in the lives of Ghanaian Youth and adults; ‘Creating Jobs, Enhancing trade through Culture and Fashion’. The rich Legacy of the Asante textile, passed on from generations to another has contributed to the development of the Ghanaian economy and helped to recognize Bonwire as the ‘wardrobe’ of the fertile Asante Empire.

Addressing the gathering yesterday was Nana Asuako Asumadu, Chairman of the Planning Committee. He spoke on the need to be pleased and market the valuable Kente product in order to distinguish the Asante Culture from any other through uniqueness and exclusivity worldwide. He mentioned how the trade has created jobs for majority and defined the very existence of Manhyia’s heritage.

Three conventional Kente Clothes were launched at the event. The ‘Asa Nnotwe’, ‘Asanteman Nkosuo’ and ‘Yokoman faprenu’. Men clad in the unveiled cloth walked to the Bonwire Hene and pageant themselves. They walked into the assembly and exhibited the beauty of the new covering.

Nana Sarfo Kantanka, the proud Son of Bonwire briefed the history of the Kente Weave and explained what it represents to Asanteman and the world as a whole. Nana narrated that during the days of old; tribes dressed themselves in woven textiles known as 'Nwentoma'. He revealed that each ethnic group identified their embroidery with suitable names.

“Nigerians, Voltarians and many others clad themselves in their woven textile- so did Bonwire. Our fabrics were not called Kente then. It was known as “Nwen Ntoma” (Woven fabric). Our ancestors one day discovered a new texture. They identified the design of the opposite side to be in resemblance with the basket (Kenten – Asante Twi). The rendition of the Asantes as time traded brought the name of the cloth as Kente,” he explained.

Nana Bobie Ansah II, Chief of Bonwire publicized that; Kente is the heritage of Asante hence the Launch to celebrate the beauty of the gift passed on by the ancestors of the land. He encouraged his townsmen to be comprehensively involved in this year’s event to sprout the name of Bonwire in the midst of foreigners who will be present to grace the occasion in Ghana’s Year of Return.

The Bonwirehene commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for marketing the Bonwire Kente during his International missions.

“My Lord, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is indeed honoring Asanteman and the Nation across the borders of foreign countries. His invitation to the United Nations (UN Peace Summit) was indeed a commendable one. He adorned himself with his elders in the rich Bonwire Kente and that is a plus for us.”

Nana Bobie Ansah II advised parents to take advantage of the Free Senior High School policy initiated by President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo to further their wards. He encouraged residents of Bonwire to seek knowledge through the Free SHS in addition to the Kente weaving trade.

“No one must shun education for Kenter Weaving. It will do as no good. The community needs doctors, teachers, pilots and professors. God Bless the President” he ended.

The Bonwire Senior High School Cultural group entertained the guests with Adowa dance whiles they enjoyed the melodious tune of the Asante 'Kete'.