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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 Rose Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful rose color recycled beads are made us...
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Jumbo Grey Mist Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized grey swirl recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even ...
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Jumbo Amber Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized brown recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...
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Grey Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (23mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of grey color Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used fo...
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Old Jumbo Mali Stone Beads
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Mali Stone beads are said to be centuries old because they seem to have been made in a very primitive way. This strand of African beads is 28" long...
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Jumbo Blue Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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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...
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Round Nest Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (23mm)
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These brass trade beads fashioned in a bird nest-like form are from Ghana, Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" te...
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Jumbo Pastel Yellow Opaque Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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These beautiful recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafted through a...
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Striped Circular Brass Filigree Beads
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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...
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Jumbo Painted Krobo Glass Beads (Blue French Cross)
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Admire these unique and unusually large painted glass beads made by artisans from the Krobo tribe in Ghana. These special beads work great as focal...
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Antique Mauritanian Conus Shell Beads (10-35mm)
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Please take a second to admire this one of a kind Shell Bead strand. This striking strand of shell beads has a truly unique pattern and color. If y...
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Jumbo Brown Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful Brown Swirl recycled beads are made u...
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Jumbo Mocha Brown Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized brown recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...
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Jumbo Red Opaque Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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These beautiful recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafted through a...
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Circular Leaf Brass Filigree Beads (23mm)
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These brass beads have been fashioned by an artisan using the lost wax method. Is is a traditional bead making technique from West Africa. The unus...
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Jumbo Baby Blue Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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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...
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House Medley Tabular Fused Recycled Glass Beads
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This uniquely patterned strand of tabular hexagonal beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for ma...
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Blue & Yellow Tabular Fused Recycled Glass Beads
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This uniquely patterned strand of tabular hexagonal beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for ma...
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Jumbo Multicolor Fused Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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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...
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