In Search of Kente Cloth!!

There I was getting into my volunteer teaching tasks (planning my lesson on present perfect) when the day turned into a hunt for authentic Kente cloth!

Since I would be leaving on the weekend (time really flies!), my "boss" thought I'd better use some time to get the Kente cloth because I would also need to speak to a seamstress to get an outfit made. I really didn't know the process would entail all of that, but so much of my experience had been learning how things work, so I was up for it.

After my boss spoke to someone who knew someone who knew someone (all part of the process), we made a mad dash (by way of the typical rickety taxis) to Kejetia Market. I wish everyone could experience that place: the largest open-air market in West Africa! There is simply nothing like it anywhere I've ever been. Just imagine an insane amount of people, an insane amount of activity narrow alleyways, smells, sweat, music, someone speaking on a loudspeaker, chaos...yet order, women transporting their goods on their heads, a constant flurry of comings and goings, stalls packed with anything you could want. And then add sweltering heat to the mix. But somewhere inside was the Kente cloth.

We got lost about seven times! While gulping water, I stupidly asked if there was a map of the market. Of course not...all you need to do is ask the ladies in the stalls and they would direct you where you needed to go.

We found the area where women oversaw stalls filled with Kente, men & women sat at sewing machines putting the strips together, men moved sacks and sacks of cloth in and out, and money was being exchanged. My boss found his contact and all I had to do was find the design I wanted. My boss would handle the negotiations. I had already been instructed to NEVER pay the price that was given at first; I had to haggle. I was pretty intimidated, though, so my boss took over...he said he was happy to do it. "

Thank goodness he haggled on my behalf, because I don't think I would've been able to get what I wanted and with the price I wanted. A taxi on the way back and we were on our way to the seamstress. 

All-in-all, it took four hours from getting to the market and picking out what I wanted to discussing designs with the seamstress and him taking my measurements! Not quite like going to the mall! Lol!