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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.

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Jumbo Olive Green Recycled Glass Beads (21mm) - The Bead Chest
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

Jumbo Olive Green Recycled Glass Beads (21mm)

Only 3 left!

Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized olive green recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even...

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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
Jumbo Opaque Black Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00

Jumbo Opaque Black Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

From the villages of Ghana, these beautiful recycled glass beads are made by artisan craftspeople 100% by hand. The beads themselves are made using...

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$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
Sold out
Jumbo Light Blue Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00

Jumbo Light Blue Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

From the villages of Ghana, these beautiful recycled glass beads are made by artisan craftspeople 100% by hand. The beads themselves are made using...

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$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
Sold out
Jumbo Light Green Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00

Jumbo Light Green Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

From the villages of Ghana, these beautiful recycled glass beads are made by artisan craftspeople 100% by hand. The beads themselves are made using...

View full details
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
Sold out
Jumbo Bicone Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (34x21mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$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...

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$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
Sold out
Jumbo Dark Camouflauge Recycled Glass Beads (27mm) - The Bead Chest
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

Jumbo Dark Camouflauge Recycled Glass Beads (27mm)

in stock

Take a look at this large strand of jumbo-sized black camouflauge recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder ...

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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
Swirl Design Brass Filigree Triangle Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

Swirl Design Brass Filigree Triangle Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these Brass "Triangle" trade beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand ...

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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
Sold out
Extra Large Bauxite Beads (7x20mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Extra Large Bauxite Beads (7x20mm)

Out of stock

Bauxite is a type of aluminium ore. All African bauxite beads are hand made and drilled, making these beads very labor demanding. Bauxite beads lik...

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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Sold out
Flat Woven Circle Brass Filigree Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

Flat Woven Circle Brass Filigree Beads (20mm)

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...

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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
Sold out
Circular Cross Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Circular Cross Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (20mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these circular-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. ...

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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
Sold out
Jumbo Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads - SIZE IS NOT CORRECT - AWAITING REVIEW - The Bead Chest
$1,575.00 - $1,575.00
$1,575.00
$1,575.00
$1,575.00 - $1,575.00
$1,575.00

Jumbo Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #1813

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This beautiful strand of old african trade beads contains a m...

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$1,575.00 - $1,575.00
$1,575.00
$1,575.00
$1,575.00 - $1,575.00
$1,575.00
Jumbo Traditional Bicone Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

Jumbo Traditional Bicone Powder Glass Beads

Out of stock

Bold and colorful, these carefully fashioned beads nicely demonstrate the bead-making tradition of West Africa. Crafted by a skilled artisan, powde...

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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
Sold out
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17111

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

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$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17109

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17110

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17108

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17107

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17106

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17103

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17102

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17104

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
Sold out
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17105

Out of stock

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
Sold out
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17101

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Premium Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #17100

Only 1 left!

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This deluxe strand of old african trade beads contains a medl...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00