{"id":2415,"date":"2012-04-27T14:52:28","date_gmt":"2012-04-27T20:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mi-ling.com\/?p=2415"},"modified":"2012-04-29T07:10:07","modified_gmt":"2012-04-29T13:10:07","slug":"tips-on-adding-an-african-theme-to-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mi-ling.com\/home\/tips-on-adding-an-african-theme-to-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips on adding an African theme to your home"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By Mi-Ling Stone Poole<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0DEAR MI-LING<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong> Can you give me any suggestions on how to create an African-themed room with original African textiles and accessories? I don\u2019t want the room to feel to over done.<\/p>\n<p>Kim<\/p>\n<p><strong>DEAR KIM: <\/strong>When you merge an exotic theme into your home, you create a totally new and exciting environment. You are only limited by your imagination. It can be both educational and heartwarming to bring your families heritage into your living space.<\/p>\n<p>When planning an African-themed room you should consider adding authentic decorative African art and textiles. You might want to consider adding printed cloth with earth tones. These vibrant colors mimic the rich and colorful heritage of Africa.<\/p>\n<p>Kente is an African textile woven into a cloth that can be used to make throws, wall hangings, pillows, tablecloths, and bed spreads. You can also purchase the textile to re-cover your existing furniture.<\/p>\n<p>Harriet B. Schiffer, PhD and an African art and clothing specialist, said the origins of Kente Cloth lie within the ancient tradition of narrow strip weaving found in the Western Sudan dating back to the 11th century, and further back to the Nile River over 2,000 years ago. Kente, as we know it, dates back to the 17th Century and the Asante people of Ghana in West Africa where richly colored, intricately woven ceremonial cloths were exclusively created to be worn by kings, queen mothers and chiefs. \u201cKente cloth merges fashion with afro-centric philosophy,\u201d Schiffer told me. There are seven traditional colors used in Kente Cloth.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Y<strong>ellow<\/strong> is\u00a0\u00a0associated with the yoke of an egg and edible fruit. It symbolizes\u00a0spiritual vitality and fertility.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Red <\/strong>is\u00a0associated with blood.\u00a0 Red is used\u00a0as a symbol of heightened spirituality and of sacrifice and struggle.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Green<\/strong> is\u00a0associated with planting and harvesting. It symbolizes growth, vitality,\u00a0\u00a0health and spiritual rejuvenation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Purple<\/strong> is\u00a0\u00a0used in rituals and healing. Purple cloths are mostly worn by women.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Maroon<\/strong> has\u00a0a close resemblance to clay, therefore it is associated with healing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gold<\/strong> is\u00a0associated with gold<strong> <\/strong>nuggets\u00a0and therefore is associated with royalty wealth and high status.\u00a0 <strong><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Black<\/strong>\u00a0derives its significance from the notion that new things get darker while\u00a0they mature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can incorporate a unique design and a conversation piece into your home by using Kente cloth.<\/p>\n<p>Now go out and create your own unique comfort zone!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Mi-Ling Stone Poole \u00a0DEAR MI-LING: Can you give me any suggestions on how to create an African-themed room with original African textiles and accessories? 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