USA TODAY Fact check: Yes, Kente cloths were historically worn by empire involved in West African slave trade. “Yesterday the Democrats wore kente scarfs and knelt down for their photo op. So check this out, Kente cloth was worn by the Ashanti. It's made of silk so the affluent wore it. The Ashanti were also known as slave owners and traders. “Doesn't this makes you wonder why they chose to wear this particular tribe's garb.”