AFRICAN TEXTILE WEAVE

African Textile Weave

Learning Target

I can...

• Create a African Textile Weave using weaving techniques learned in class
• Use traditional colors (red green yellow), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and geometric shapes (rectangle, square) inspired by Ghanian Sculptor (1944-Present) El Anatsui
• Use design principles (balance, repetition, composition) relating to the African Art Movement
• Define Loom (an apparatus for making fabric by weaving yarn)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Ozone Layer (2010) El Anatsui
2. Read Spider Weaver Legend of the Kente Cloth by Margaret Musgrove
3. Discussion Questions "The word Kente means baskets. It comes from the Akan or Ashanti dialect. It is also known as nwentoma which means woven cloth. It originates over 375 years ago. According to Legend Kurugu and Amevaw, two brothers went hunting and came across a spider spinning a web. They were amazed by its beauty and wanted to make something similar. They made the first cloth out of black and white fibers from a raffia tree. What raw materials are used for the fabric? What are dyes used for? What similarities can you identify in traditional designs? Is using quilts to send messages a fact or fiction? What does your quilt mean? What colors would you choose to convey that meaning?"

Lesson Activities 

1. Choose 12" X 15" Scrapbook Paper
2. Cut nine long vertical strips of colored construction paper for paper weaving
3. Cut nine short horizontal strips of colored construction paper for paper weaving

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve African Textile Weave for Assigned Table
2. Read Anansi The Spider by Gerald McDermott
3. Discussion Questions "When was the first kente cloth created? Where did kente cloth originate? What do kente cloth colors (black, blue, green, gold) mean? What is so significant about the colors and patterns woven to make Kente cloths? What is the first thing you noticed about Kente cloth? What shapes or patterns do you see? Does your cloth tell a story or is it a reflection of your personality, your likes and dislikes? Are there any similarities or differences with this African tradition and your own family traditions?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use two colors (gold, black) of construction paper to add contrast within the paper weave
2. Place long vertical strips horizontal and weave short horizontal strips vertically for paper weaving
3. Use glue to alternate attaching top or bottom horizontal strips of paper weave

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve African Textile Weave for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (decorations, scissors, glue sticks)

Lesson Activities 

1. Add decorative materials (sequins, glitter, ribbon) to paper placemat of African Textile Weave
2. Use scissors to cut off long strips before covering paper weaving with contact paper
3. Add contact paper to both sides of paper placemat to protect African Textile Weave

Artist Examples

Student Examples