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
$32.00
-
Original price
$32.00
Original price
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00
-
$32.00
Current price
$32.00
Jumbo Clear Marine Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
in stock
Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful blue color recycled beads are made us...
View full details
Original price
$32.00
-
Original price
$32.00
Original price
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00
-
$32.00
Current price
$32.00
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Jumbo Green Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
in stock
Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized green recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Jumbo Aqua Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
in stock
Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder to f...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50
-
$34.50
Current price
$34.50
Jumbo Painted Krobo Glass Beads (Tribal Pattern)
Only 4 left!
Admire these unique and unusually large painted glass beads made by artisans from the Krobo tribe in Ghana. These beads resemble old fancy trade be...
View full details
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50
-
$34.50
Current price
$34.50
Original price
$26.00
-
Original price
$26.00
Original price
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00
-
$26.00
Current price
$26.00
Black Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (23mm)
in stock
Checkout this beautiful strand of black color Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used f...
View full details
Original price
$26.00
-
Original price
$26.00
Original price
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00
-
$26.00
Current price
$26.00
Original price
$23.50
-
Original price
$23.50
Original price
$23.50
$23.50
$23.50
-
$23.50
Current price
$23.50
Special Medley of Glass Mixed Trade Beads
Out of stock
Take a look a this great medley of glass trade beads! These beads have been collected from various West African countries including Nigeria, Ghana,...
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
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
Current price
$29.00
$29.00
-
$29.00
Current price
$29.00
Jumbo Painted Krobo Glass Beads (Skunk Design)
Out of stock
Admire these unique and unusually large painted glass beads made by artisans from the Krobo tribe in Ghana. These special beads resemble traditiona...
View full details
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
Current price
$29.00
$29.00
-
$29.00
Current price
$29.00
Sold out
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Jumbo Clear Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized clear recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Sold out
Original price
$26.00
-
Original price
$26.00
Original price
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00
-
$26.00
Current price
$26.00
White Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (23mm)
in stock
Checkout this beautiful strand of white color Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used f...
View full details
Original price
$26.00
-
Original price
$26.00
Original price
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00
-
$26.00
Current price
$26.00
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
Current price
$29.00
$29.00
-
$29.00
Current price
$29.00
Jumbo Painted Krobo Glass Beads (Dotted White)
Out of stock
Admire these unique and unusually large painted glass beads made by artisans from the Krobo tribe in Ghana. These beads resemble old fancy trade be...
View full details
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
Current price
$29.00
$29.00
-
$29.00
Current price
$29.00
Sold out
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Jumbo Purple Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (22mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized purple recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even hard...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Sold out
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
Current price
$29.00
$29.00
-
$29.00
Current price
$29.00
Jumbo Painted Krobo Glass Beads (Green French Cross)
Out of stock
Admire these unique and unusually large painted glass beads made by artisans from the Krobo tribe in Ghana. These beads resemble old fancy trade be...
View full details
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
Current price
$29.00
$29.00
-
$29.00
Current price
$29.00
Sold out
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Jumbo Asparagus Green Recycled Glass Beads (22mm)
Out of stock
Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized green recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
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 Sun Brass Filigree Beads (10x22mm)
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
$22.00
-
Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
-
$22.00
Current price
$22.00
Circular Eye Brass Filigree Beads (10x21mm)
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
Original price
$35.00
-
Original price
$35.00
Original price
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00
-
$35.00
Current price
$35.00
Jumbo Forest Green Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
in stock
Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized green swirl recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even...
View full details
Original price
$35.00
-
Original price
$35.00
Original price
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00
-
$35.00
Current price
$35.00
Original price
$32.00
-
Original price
$32.00
Original price
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00
-
$32.00
Current price
$32.00
Jumbo Opaque Pink Recycled Glass Beads (21mm)
Out of stock
These beautiful recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafted through a...
View full details
Original price
$32.00
-
Original price
$32.00
Original price
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00
-
$32.00
Current price
$32.00
Sold out
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Jumbo Cobalt Blue Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
in stock
Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder to f...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Original price
$26.50
-
Original price
$26.50
Original price
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50
-
$26.50
Current price
$26.50
Blue & White Tabular Fused Recycled Glass Beads
in stock
This uniquely patterned strand of tabular hexagonal beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for ma...
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
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00
Jumbo Pastel Green Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
in stock
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...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00
-
$27.00
Current price
$27.00