The Kente Loom (Nsadua Kofi )

The Kente Loom (Nsadua Kofi )

The traditional Kente loom of the Asante Kingdom

The traditional Kente loom as shown in the figure above consists of four upright posts, (1, 2, 3, 4) joined together on the sides by four bars (5, 6, 7, 8) which slant towards the back of the main framework. The upper part of the top bars (7 and 8) called Asatwedee (heald ladder) are serrated. Two bars, (9 and 10) called Ponko (warp protector), connect the two front corner posts (1 and 2) in the middle and top portions of the framework respectively while one bar (11) connects the top of the back corner posts (3 and 4). The bottom part (12) of the framework is covered with flat wooden boards and it on these boards that a stool is placed to seat the weaver. There are four heddle frames (13) called Asa. The two front ones are called Asatia while the two back ones are called Asanan. The beater or reed (14) is known as Kyereye. The four heddle frames and the beater are suspended by means of strings on two or more pulley bars (16) called Nyansoo which are placed in the notches of the serrated top side bars (8). Empty tins or small wooden frames that serve as pulleys Awiedie (15) in which are fixed spools with flanges called Awiedieba are fixed between the pulley bars.

Asante Kente Weavers

Bonwire and Adanwomase in Ashanti Region

ResearchGate - Structural Patterns in Asante Kente
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279298672_Structural_Patterns_in_Asante_Kente_An_Indigenous_Instructional_Resource_for_Design_Education_in_Textiles#pf4

19th Century (origin), digitally documented in January 2014

University of Ghana, Institute of African Studies; Traditional Weaving Guilds of Bonwire

Copyright © 2025 by UofT. Used with permission for educational purposes.

Related to Asante Kente textile weaving practices and Ghanaian cultural heritage.

Digital image, 850 X 502

English, Akan (Twi)

Physical Object; Cultural Artifact; Textile Weaving Equipment

DOI:10.1234/KenteLoom-NsaduaKofi-2025

Ashanti Region, Ghana; Historical period from the 18th century to present-day use in Kente weaving.

jpeg (a sketched up image of the loom)

850 × 502 pixels
(Width × Height)