The Ejisuhene, Ruler of Ejisu, Ghana, Wearing gold and Kente. Asante. Photograph. (Photo: artSTOR)
Heads of state, or “chiefs”, accumulate mass amounts of gold and regalia throughout rings, cloth, bracelets, and necklaces. The Ruler is seen wearing Kente cloth, a fabric made by alternating blocks of pattern in bright silk to create beautiful designs[1]. Additionally, they also wear multiple charms at their elbows and ankles, and gold castings throughout their clothing. This mass amount of regalia, adornments and implements worn by kings, provides power and authority through accumulation. But, the beads and charms that were worn served more purpose then just political authority and power. They also held supernatural power to the wearer, and protected against jealous rivals or threats from evil spirits[2].
The accumulation of regalia is another form of showing power through accumulation. The financial burden it would cost to wear this vast amount of regalia shows the higher class these “chiefs” had among other citizens. The Kente itself was a sign of power, with Kente being the cloth worn by kings.
[1] Duncan Clarke, The Art of African Textiles, (San Diego: Thunder Bay Press, 2002), 64.
[2] Monica Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert Cole, A History of Art in Africa, (New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2008), 199.
Heads of state, or “chiefs”, accumulate mass amounts of gold and regalia throughout rings, cloth, bracelets, and necklaces. The Ruler is seen wearing Kente cloth, a fabric made by alternating blocks of pattern in bright silk to create beautiful designs[1]. Additionally, they also wear multiple charms at their elbows and ankles, and gold castings throughout their clothing. This mass amount of regalia, adornments and implements worn by kings, provides power and authority through accumulation. But, the beads and charms that were worn served more purpose then just political authority and power. They also held supernatural power to the wearer, and protected against jealous rivals or threats from evil spirits[2].
The accumulation of regalia is another form of showing power through accumulation. The financial burden it would cost to wear this vast amount of regalia shows the higher class these “chiefs” had among other citizens. The Kente itself was a sign of power, with Kente being the cloth worn by kings.
[1] Duncan Clarke, The Art of African Textiles, (San Diego: Thunder Bay Press, 2002), 64.
[2] Monica Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert Cole, A History of Art in Africa, (New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2008), 199.