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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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Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13423
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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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Old Translucent Ghana Glass Cylinder Trade Beads #2613
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These glass beads are a rare and brilliant shade of aqua blue. Likely of European provenance, these old and unusual beads have graced many owners a...
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Old Translucent Ghana Glass Beads #2612
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These glass beads are a rare and brilliant shade of aqua blue. Likely of European provenance, these old and unusual beads have graced many owners a...
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Old Aqua Blue Sliced Ghana Glass Disk Beads #11477
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Check out this nice strand of old aqua blue glass beads. These beads are handmade by artisans in Ghana. This unique sliced bead style makes them a ...
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Ghana Medley Rondelle Powder Glass Beads
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What an assortment of beads! Each strand consists of a nice mix of different kinds of powder glass beads including recycled glass, Ashanti saucers,...
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Red White Heart Heishi Beads
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Admire this unusual variety of red White Heart beads from Ghana West Africa. Commonly found in a round shape, this heishi design is not often seen....
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Alpine Teal Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads
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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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Peach Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads
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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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Dark Amber Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)
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Take a look at this beautiful strand of dark amber recycled glass beads. You will receive a 23" strand with approximately 50 beads. Recycled glass ...
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Brown Ashanti Saucer Beads (12mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of brown color Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used f...
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Pastel Blue Ashanti Saucer Beads (12mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over 1000...
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Teal Ashanti Saucer Beads (15mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of teal-toned glass Ashanti Saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used fo...
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Ocean Blue Ashanti Saucer Beads (12mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of blue color Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used fo...
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Antique Clear Venetian Gooseberry Disk Beads (6mm)
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Gooseberry beads are known to be made in Venice in the 1700s through the 1900s. They are made of heated, drawn, pinched and polished clear glass, ...
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Lattice Red Krobo Beads (23x11mm)
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A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...
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Begoro Medley Round Krobo Beads
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Great mix of assorted Krobo beads from Ghana in West Africa. The Krobo people are reknown for their beaded creations. These are traditional powder ...
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Todzi Turquoise Medley Round Krobo Beads
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A beautiful strand of round powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are...
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Alpine Teal Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)
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Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful blue color recycled beads are made us...
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Worn Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (7-9mm)
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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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Rainbow Speckle Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)
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Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful multicolor beads are typically made u...
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Old Nigerian Igbo Glass Trade Beads
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Great strand of unusual glass beads from Nigeria. These beads are associated with the Igbo people of Nigeria in West Africa who have a rich traditi...
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Green Aqua Stripe Watermelon Chevron Beads
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Checkout these beautiful vintage chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron in an unusual green aqua color. Similar to the commonly known Che...
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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (14mm) #16550
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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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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16549
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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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