Live Help
8am-4pm PST
8am-4pm PST
Ghana Beads
Ghana is home to the largest bead markets in Africa. Below are African beads imported from Ghana. Trade beads have a long history in the West African country of Ghana. In fact, Ghana beads were once a form of national currency and were used to purchase many different kinds of goods including alcohol, slaves, and even textiles. The production of beads in Ghana was first documented over 200 years ago however evidence of bead production extends over two thousand years. Due to their use in trade, beads in Ghana may have a wide variety of origins that trace ancient and modern trade routes including Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Modern Ghana overlaps with the terrain of the ancient Ghana Empire.
A number of bead varieties are locally produced in Ghana. These include recycled glass beads that are made from empty glass bottles, seashell beads, as well as Krobo beads. The manufacturing of recycled beads is one way that the people of Ghana use traditional inspiration to bring new uses to old materials. The process involves breaking used bottles in pieces that are then melted and shaped using clay molds designed with the desired shape in mind. Beads may be washed in sand and then painted with designs.
Similarly, Ghana is one of the most important countries for the manufacture of Krobo beads. This name Krobo, is derived from the fact that a great deal of the powdered glass beads in Ghana are produced Krobo artisans. However craftsmen from the Ashanti ethnic group are also heavily involved in this production. Beads continue to play a role in traditional Krobo culture where they are used for many different ceremonies such as birth, marriage, death, and coming of age rituals such as Dipo where girls where a large number of beads and perform special dances. African beads are also used as a symbol of status and are worn by community leaders and chiefs.
In recent years, there has been a revival in the use of trade beads in Ghana so much so that young people are wearing them as an expression of pride in African tradition. Interestingly, the different colors that are used in the design of beads have different symbolism such as blue that represents purity, white that represents fertility, and gold that represents wealth.
Original price
$4.00
-
Original price
$4.00
Original price
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00
-
$4.00
Current price
$4.00
Brass-Style Ghana Glass Seed Beads
in stock
Beautiful strand of brass glass seed beads from Ghana, strung on a traditional raffia string. Each bead measures approximately 3-4 x 4mm with stran...
View full details
Original price
$4.00
-
Original price
$4.00
Original price
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00
-
$4.00
Current price
$4.00
Original price
$10.00
-
Original price
$10.00
Original price
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00
-
$10.00
Current price
$10.00
African Brass Money Ring Beads (Set of 4)
Out of stock
Take a look at these beautifully crafted brass rings. Each ring has been individually fashioned and decorated. Similar rings were used historically...
View full details
Original price
$10.00
-
Original price
$10.00
Original price
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00
-
$10.00
Current price
$10.00
Sold out
Original price
$39.00
-
Original price
$39.00
Original price
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00
-
$39.00
Current price
$39.00
Ghana Brass Donut Beads (9mm)
Out of stock
These handmade rings are made by independent artisans in Ghana. Measuring approximately 9mm in diameter, each donut-shaped ring has a hole size of ...
View full details
Original price
$39.00
-
Original price
$39.00
Original price
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00
-
$39.00
Current price
$39.00
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Wound Round Ghana Brass Globe Beads (12mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these Brass "Globe" trade beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is ...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$23.50
-
Original price
$23.50
Original price
$23.50
$23.50
$23.50
-
$23.50
Current price
$23.50
Weaved Brass Filigree Globe Beads (18mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these beautiful Brass "Globe" trade beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. Th...
View full details
Original price
$23.50
-
Original price
$23.50
Original price
$23.50
$23.50
$23.50
-
$23.50
Current price
$23.50
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Wound Round Ghana Brass Beads (11mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these Brass "Globe" trade beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand i...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Criss Cross Brass Filigree Globe Beads (18mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these lovely Round Brass Filigree Beads. These beads come to us all the way from West Africa. Master-craftsmen mold and pattern thes...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Mini Flat Woven Circle Brass Filigree Beads (12mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these Brass Filigree-style trade beads from Africa. Each bead is individually made by the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand i...
View full details
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Sold out
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Cameroon Style Brass Filigree Cylinder Beads (10mm)
Out of stock
These round brass beads from Ghana were individually crafted using an age-old technique from West Africa. Resembling a filigree beads, these beads ...
View full details
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Sold out
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Mini Triangle-Circle Brass Filigree Beads
Out of stock
Take a look at these Brass Filligree-style trade beads from Africa. Each bead is individually made by the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand ...
View full details
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Ivory Coast Style Wound Round Brass Beads (11mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these round-shaped Ivory Coast Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" techniqu...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Weaved Cross Brass Filigree Beads (30mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these unusual-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. T...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
Current price
$18.00
$18.00
-
$18.00
Current price
$18.00
Three-Circle Circular Brass Filigree Beads (20mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these flat-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. This...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
Current price
$18.00
$18.00
-
$18.00
Current price
$18.00
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Caged Hourglass Brass Filigree Beads (24x14mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these hourglass-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique....
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Striated Brass Filigree Globe Beads (20mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these Brass "Globe" trade beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is ...
View full details
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Basket Design Oval Brass Filigree Beads (20x18mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these oval-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. This...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Circular Leaf Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (12mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these beautiful Mini Brass Filigree Leaf pattern beads. These beads are from West Africa and each bead is handcrafted by local artis...
View full details
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Circular Leaf Brass Filigree Beads (15mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these tabular-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. T...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$55.00
-
Original price
$55.00
Original price
$55.00
$55.00
$55.00
-
$55.00
Current price
$55.00
Ghana Brass Saucer Beads (13x14mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these unusual brass trade beads from Ghana, West Africa. Each bead is individually handmade with craftsmanship that you can really ...
View full details
Original price
$55.00
-
Original price
$55.00
Original price
$55.00
$55.00
$55.00
-
$55.00
Current price
$55.00
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Circular Star Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (24mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these tabular-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. T...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$45.00
-
Original price
$45.00
Original price
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00
-
$45.00
Current price
$45.00
Jumbo Round Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (28mm)
Out of stock
These unusually large Ghana Brass beads are made individually using the "Lost Wax process" technique. This is a traditional casting method used in ...
View full details
Original price
$45.00
-
Original price
$45.00
Original price
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00
-
$45.00
Current price
$45.00
Sold out
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Wound Bicone Ghana Brass Beads (17x11mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these bicone-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. Th...
View full details
Original price
$22.50
-
Original price
$22.50
Original price
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
-
$22.50
Current price
$22.50
Sold out
Original price
$26.50
-
Original price
$26.50
Original price
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50
-
$26.50
Current price
$26.50
Jumbo Bicone Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (34x21mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at these unusual bicone-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" techn...
View full details
Original price
$26.50
-
Original price
$26.50
Original price
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50
-
$26.50
Current price
$26.50
Sold out
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Pinwheel Circular Brass Filigree Beads (18mm)
Out of stock
These Brass "Round Flat" trade beads are from Ghana, Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is...
View full details
Original price
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Sold out