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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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Antique Venetian Oval Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest Save 7% Save %
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$125.00
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00

Antique Venetian Oval Millefiori Trade Beads

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

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$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$125.00
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
Save 7% Save %
Old Ghana Turquoise Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$85.00 - $85.00
$85.00
$85.00
$85.00 - $85.00
$85.00

Old Ghana Turquoise Glass Beads

Out of stock

Admire this unusual strand of old glass beads from Ghana. Beads in this special shade of green are hard to find. The strand appears to consist of b...

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$85.00 - $85.00
$85.00
$85.00
$85.00 - $85.00
$85.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Yellow & Red Antique Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Yellow & Red Antique Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

These yellow & red Venetian Watermelon Chevron beads are bright and colorful. Trade beads such as these were originally produced in Italy and t...

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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15938 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15938

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Mixed Venetian and African Trade Beads #15936 - The Bead Chest
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00

Mixed Venetian and African Trade Beads #15936

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15937 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15937

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15934 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15934

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15933 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15933

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15935 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15935

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Matching Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15932 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Matching Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15932

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15931 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15931

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15930 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15930

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15929 - The Bead Chest
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15929

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15928 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15928

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Medium Christmas Waist Beads (Anomabo Medley ) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Medium Christmas Waist Beads (Anomabo Medley )

Out of stock

Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

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$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
Sold out
Medium Christmas Waist Beads (Somanya Medley ) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Medium Christmas Waist Beads (Somanya Medley )

Out of stock

Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

View full details
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
Sold out
Small Christmas Waist Beads (Aburi Medley ) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Small Christmas Waist Beads (Aburi Medley )

Out of stock

Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

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$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
Sold out
Blue Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Blue Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

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

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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
Sold out
Blue Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Blue Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

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

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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
Sold out