We do not recommend laundering textiles, and do not accept returns of textiles which have been laundered in any manner.  Even dry cleaning is too much for some of these antique textiles.  For some of them, a very gentle HAND washing  (NEVER MACHINE, on any setting)  in cool water with a very gentle detergent works, but even then, dyes may not be colorfast, and fabric may be less strong than it appears.

Additional Information: Strips are handsewn together. Estimated age more than 40 years. Kente cloth is the royal cloth of the Asante, of Ghana. In many cases, the thread was obtained by carefully un-picking silk garments, and reweaving them. The looms have two or three heddles. Legend says that the Kente cloth weavers learned their skill from watching a spider, Anansi, who is a significant figure in African folklore.

This textile exhibits different types of weft patterns. Each pattern has it own name and a proverb associated to it. The patterns on this textile have the traditional bright colors including orange, green, red, blue, and black.

Recommended Reading: See Clarke's "ART OF AFRICAN TEXTILES" The best source for pictures and information on Kente textiles is Adler and Barbard's "AFRICAN MAJESTY," the "TEXTILE ART OF THE ASHANTI AND EWE."