Donning of the Kente Cloth

May 20, 2010 |

As part of Goucher College’s Commencement festivities, the “Donning of the Kente Cloth” ceremony will give students of African descent an opportunity to honor their heritage, experiences, achievements, and those who have supported them during their educational career.

The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, in the Hyman Forum of the Athenaeum.

During the ceremony, graduating seniors will be draped in strips of kente, a colorful fabric native to Ghana. Though kente was developed in the 12th century by the Ashanti people, it has its roots in a long tradition of African weaving, dating back to about 3000 B.C.E.

Often reserved for special occasions, kente is a visual representation of the wearer’s history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious beliefs, social values, and political thoughts.