Did a Spider Really Inspire Kente? Unpacking the Bonwire Story

Firstly,I have always had unanswered questions about certain narratives about our history and trajectory as Ghanaians.Our history as Africans has many gaps and perhaps you may also have questions but you are being hesitant.

The beautiful Bonwire Kente story is one of such narrations that bring awe.Genuinely, I believe with certainty that even blue blooded Asantes from the loins of the great King Prempeh may ask questions to feed their curious mind.

On my part,there is no hate,no jealousy,or an effort to disregard any culture although I am strongly opposed to Cultural Elitism.

I wish for more clarity and my questions with regards to the Bonwire story are:

1.If the young men in the story were already part of the Bonwire community which was a remote area then, is it reasonable to assume they had never encountered spiders within their own settlement before?

2.Spiders are common in human environments. If they existed in Bonwire(or whatever name the Community was called), wouldn’t their web-spinning behavior have been observable in everyday life?

3.If such webs were routinely present, why would a single encounter in the bush suddenly become a unique moment of inspiration? Were the two men or boys less intelligent and not observant to notice?

4.Is it logically consistent to believe that individuals who had supposedly never paid attention to common natural patterns could suddenly observe, analyze, and retain a complex structural design by a spider in one instance? Because they never paid attention to the domestic spiders.

5.Even if they observed a spider’s web once in a bush shortly and never got to see this same spider, is it not exaggerated that they could translate that observation into a complex textile system without prior knowledge or gradual experimentation?

6.How does the narrative explain the transition from simple observation to engineering innovation.How did they become structural and mechanical engineers building the loon etc.How did these men suddenly get this technology and technical expertise come from?

7.It is aggreable that Kente weaving requires structured techniques, tools (like looms), and dexterous and experienced hands. Where did this technical foundation come from in the story

I appreciate perspectives that highlight biomimicry but it is awfully inadequate to sustain the story of the origin of Kente from Bonwire.

Biomimicry is common knowledge in the evolution of humans.The Kama sutra,an Indian ancient sankrit book,which is literally the global manual for sex and pleasure brings this to light.Sex positions such the "Doggystyle" were documented by observing how quadrupeds and mammals like dogs,horses,lions have sex.

Even the martial arts,developed by the Asians to a large extent, was by observing how various animals face aggression.How they charge,attack and survive.

Some of our inexplicable technologies were also duplications of alien knowledge and technology.Among the many patented alien technologies by the US government are the Triangular Spaceship.To confirm google this number

US20060145019A1
The invention of the loon is old technology which goes as far back as the Nile civilizations.It is older than the Bonwire story and Nigerians also have their ancient clothes woven with the loon and similar to the Kete and Kente.

We may all agree that they did not clone or reverse engineer the loons used in Bonwire or Kpetoe.It is an integral part of their culture.How would you explain the spider story now?

Did the Nigerians also have that unique eureka moment with a magical spider? Did the civilizations at the Nile region who have been weaving intricately with the loon for centuries also get the unique spider experience? Could they have learnt it from Bonwire,when they existed and wove fabrics with the loon before Bonwire?

Is the Bonwire story not a myth? Don't you think the facts take away its credibility? I may be the one questioning it today,it may be your inquisitive and intelligent child tomorrow.Would you be saying they hate the Asantes or are jealous of the Asante culture and heritage?

Long live mother Ghana.
By Charles Selorm Dumenu