- Each piece of clothing represents a significant event in African culture
Status was symbolized by the type of cloth used. Certain cloths represented gods, ancestors, military, extended family and money. - Elders wore a different cloth then other citizens
- In the ancient empires, gold dust symbolized wealth and prosperity. Colors like yellow, red and orange were utilized to mimic this in cloths.
AKYEMPEM -- Literally means "thousands shields." This is a reference to shields used by highly well organized militia consisting of thousands of men and women who defended the Asante Kingdom against external aggression
NYANKONTON -- Literally means "God's eye brow (the rainbow)." It was created in exaltation of the beauty and mystery of the rainbow phenomenon
KYERETWIE -- Literally means "the lion catcher." The cloth was designed to commemorate an incident during the reign of King Kwaku Dua (1838 -1867) who tested the courage of his warriors by ordering them to catch a leopard alive. The appellation, "Kyerekwie" was since appended to the names of some of the Asante Kings whose bravery and leadership qualities were comparable to the courage needed to catch a leopard alive
