african colors and their meaning
The Akan people choose kente cloths as much for their names as their colors and patterns. Although the cloths are identified primarily by the patterns found in the lengthwise (warp) threads, there is often little correlation between appearance and name. Means my wealth has arrived in Yoruba. OLAMILEKAN m Western African, Yoruba. Means my wealth is increased in Yoruba. OLANREWAJU m Western African, Yoruba. Means my wealth is the future or my wealth is moving forward in Yoruba. OLAYINKA f Western African, Yoruba. Means wealth surrounds me in Yoruba. The UNIA founded by Marcus Garvey has a constitution which defines red, black, and green as the Pan-African colours: red representing the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, the colour black for the people, green for the rich land of Africa.. Green, gold and red are now found on the national flags of many African nations. The colour combination was borrowed from the flag of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian flag has influenced the flags of many Pan-African organizations and polities. Except for a brief period of occupation by Italy under the Fascists, Ethiopia remained outside European control during the colonial era. CHUKS m Western African, Igbo. Diminutive of Igbo names beginning with the element Chukwu meaning God. CHUKWUDI m Western African, Igbo. Variant of CHIDI, using Chukwu as the first element, which is the extended form of Chi meaning God. Kente comes from the word kenten, which means basket in Akan dialect Asante. Akans refer to kente as nwentoma, meaning woven cloth. The icon of African cultural heritage around the world, Akan kente is identified by its dazzling, multicolored patterns of bright colors, geometric shapes, and bold designs. The term Pan-African colours refers to two different sets of three colours: green, yellow and red (inspired by the flag of Ethiopia), and red, black and green. Means God gave me joy in Yoruba. OLUFUNMILOLA f & m Western African, Yoruba. Means God gives me wealth in Yoruba. OLUJIMI m Western African, Yoruba. Means given by God in Yoruba. OLUKAYODE m Western African, Yoruba. Means God brings happiness in Yoruba. YELLOW (GOLD). Yellow often represents the sun, wealth, and/or justice. Groups of Colors: Some combinations of colors are symbolic in flags, representing ideals or allegiance. RED, WHITE, and BLUE are often colors the represent revolution and freedom, many of which are based upon the French tricolor. Kente cloth has its origin with the Ashanti Kingdom, and was adopted by people in Ivory Coast and many other West African counties. It is an Akan royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of kings. Over time, the use of kente became more widespread.
Red representing the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, the colour black for the people, green for the rich land of Africa.