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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 Traditional Ghana Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$185.00 - $185.00
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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

Jumbo Traditional Ghana 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
5 Strand Bundle: Ghanaian Krobo Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$90.00
$90.00 - $90.00
$90.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

5 Strand Bundle: Ghanaian Krobo Glass Beads

Out of stock

These beautiful African powder glass beads was made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patterne...

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$90.00
$90.00 - $90.00
$90.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
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Cream Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Cream Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm)

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful strand of cream white African vinyl beads. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are sometime...

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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
Vintage Red Czech Tube Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Vintage Red Czech Tube Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful red strand of vintage Czech glass beads. Also known as Bohemia, the eastern region of former Czechoslovakia has histo...

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$12.50 - $12.50
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$12.50 - $12.50
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Burgundy Red Translucent Vintage Glass Tube Beads (8x4mm) - The Bead Chest
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$12.50 - $12.50
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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Burgundy Red Translucent Vintage Glass Tube Beads (8x4mm)

Out of stock

These delightful vintage beads are a special find. The translucent red tones and matte finish have a worn and weathered feel that comes with age. E...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
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Dark Olive Green Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Dark Olive Green Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful dark olive green color recycled beads...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
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$9.00 - $9.00
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Azul Blue Ghana Seed Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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$4.00 - $4.00
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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00

Azul Blue Ghana Seed Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

This strand of blue seed beads comes from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 3 x 4mm, with a hole size of approximately <1mm. You will rece...

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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
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Antique Faceted Russian Blue Beads (10-11mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00
$329.00
$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00

Antique Faceted Russian Blue Beads (10-11mm)

Out of stock

Among the most celebrated of faceted beads, Russian Blues derive their romantic name from their involvement in the Russian fur trade of the Pacific...

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$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00
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$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00
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Rasta Fused Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Rasta Fused Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenous craft from Ghana in West Africa. These beads have been nicely fashioned in recognizable Rasta colors ...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Rasta Fused Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Rasta Fused Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenous craft from Ghana in West Africa. These beads have been nicely fashioned in recognizable Rasta colors ...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Rasta Fused Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Rasta Fused Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenous craft from Ghana in West Africa. These beads have been nicely fashioned in recognizable Rasta colors ...

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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
Dark Emerald Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Dark Emerald Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

in stock

These beautiful deep green recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafte...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Dark Emerald Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Dark Emerald Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

in stock

These beautiful deep green recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafte...

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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
Emerald Green Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Emerald 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...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Blue & Brown Chevron-Style Aja Krobo Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Blue & Brown Chevron-Style Aja Krobo Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

These Blue & Brown Chevron Style Beads are inspired by the design of Venetian Aja Trade Beads. Handmade from recycled glass, these beads featur...

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$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
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Rustic Amber Swirl Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$7.50
$7.50 - $7.50
$7.50

Rustic Amber Swirl Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

From the scenic villages of Ghana, these artisan Recycled Glass beads are made by hand by talented craftsmen. Beads like this are great to use in b...

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$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$7.50
$7.50 - $7.50
$7.50
Sold out
Vintage Mixed Vinyl Phono Record Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

Vintage Mixed Vinyl Phono Record Beads (15mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of vintage African vinyl beads. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are sometimes wo...

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$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
Sold out
Rare Diamond-Shaped Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

Rare Diamond-Shaped Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads

Out of stock

The unique character of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are...

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$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
Sold out
Charcoal Black Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Charcoal Black Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

Only 8 left!

Take a look at this beautiful strand of charcoal black recycled glass beads. These beads are unusually small, in a hard-to-find 7mm size. Great for...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Rasta Fused Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Rasta Fused Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenous craft from Ghana in West Africa. These beads have been nicely fashioned in recognizable Rasta colors ...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
House Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

House Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (8mm)

in stock

This uniquely patterned strand of rondelle beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for making the ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Konongo Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Konongo Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (10mm)

in stock

This uniquely patterned strand of rondelle beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for making the ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Kumasi Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Kumasi Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (8mm)

in stock

This uniquely patterned strand of rondelle beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for making the ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Lava Fire Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Lava Fire Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (8mm)

in stock

This uniquely patterned strand of rondelle beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for making the ...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00