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
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50
-
$34.50
Current price
$34.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16547
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...
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
Sold out
Original price
$32.50
-
Original price
$32.50
Original price
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50
-
$32.50
Current price
$32.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16551
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...
View full details
Original price
$32.50
-
Original price
$32.50
Original price
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50
-
$32.50
Current price
$32.50
Sold out
Original price
$32.50
-
Original price
$32.50
Original price
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50
-
$32.50
Current price
$32.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16550
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...
View full details
Original price
$32.50
-
Original price
$32.50
Original price
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50
-
$32.50
Current price
$32.50
Sold out
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50
-
$34.50
Current price
$34.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16546
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...
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
Sold out
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50
-
$34.50
Current price
$34.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16545
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...
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
Sold out
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50
-
$34.50
Current price
$34.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (12-14mm) #16544
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...
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
Sold out
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50
-
$34.50
Current price
$34.50
Kakamba Prosser Beads (14mm) #16543
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...
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
Sold out
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50
-
$34.50
Current price
$34.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (14mm) #16542
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...
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
Sold out
Original price
$34.50
-
Original price
$34.50
Original price
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50
-
$34.50
Current price
$34.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16541
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...
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
Sold out
Original price
$32.50
-
Original price
$32.50
Original price
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50
-
$32.50
Current price
$32.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16417
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...
View full details
Original price
$32.50
-
Original price
$32.50
Original price
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50
-
$32.50
Current price
$32.50
Sold out
Original price
$26.50
-
Original price
$26.50
Original price
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50
-
$26.50
Current price
$26.50
Vintage Mixed Czech and Sandcast Beads
Out of stock
Great strand of assorted vintage Czech pressed glass beads and sandcast beads found in Ghana and Nigeria in West Africa. Some strand may also have ...
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
Sold out
Original price
$106.00
Original price
$106.00
-
Original price
$106.00
Original price
$106.00
Current price
$89.00
$89.00
-
$89.00
Current price
$89.00
10 Strand Bundle: All Time Favorite Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)
in stock
This special bundle brings together ten strands of our all time best selling recycled glass beads in our classic 14 millimeter size. In each purcha...
View full details
Original price
$106.00
Original price
$106.00
-
Original price
$106.00
Original price
$106.00
Current price
$89.00
$89.00
-
$89.00
Current price
$89.00
Save 16%
Original price
$99.00
Original price
$99.00
-
Original price
$99.00
Original price
$99.00
Current price
$89.00
$89.00
-
$89.00
Current price
$89.00
8 Strand Bundle: All Time Favorite Ashanti Saucer Beads
Out of stock
This special bundle brings together eight strands of our all time favorite Ashanti saucer beads in our classic 14 millimeter size. In each purchase...
View full details
Original price
$99.00
Original price
$99.00
-
Original price
$99.00
Original price
$99.00
Current price
$89.00
$89.00
-
$89.00
Current price
$89.00
Sold out
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
-
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
Current price
$37.50
$37.50
-
$37.50
Current price
$37.50
Assorted Vintage Venetian & African Trade Beads
in stock
Great medley of assorted mixed beads from the African Trade. Each strand is unique and includes both indigenous powder glass beads from West Africa...
View full details
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
-
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
Current price
$37.50
$37.50
-
$37.50
Current price
$37.50
Save 23%
Original price
$259.00
-
Original price
$259.00
Original price
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00
-
$259.00
Current price
$259.00
Antique Blue Venetian Chevron Beads #16279
Out of stock
Take a look at this incredible strand of Venetian Blue Chevron Beads. Chevron beads such as as these are highly sought-after by bead collectors and...
View full details
Original price
$259.00
-
Original price
$259.00
Original price
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00
-
$259.00
Current price
$259.00
Sold out
Original price
$259.00
-
Original price
$259.00
Original price
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00
-
$259.00
Current price
$259.00
Antique Blue Venetian Chevron Beads #16280
Out of stock
Take a look at this incredible strand of Venetian Blue Chevron Beads. Chevron beads such as as these are highly sought-after by bead collectors and...
View full details
Original price
$259.00
-
Original price
$259.00
Original price
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00
-
$259.00
Current price
$259.00
Sold out
Original price
$259.00
-
Original price
$259.00
Original price
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00
-
$259.00
Current price
$259.00
Antique Blue Venetian Chevron Beads #16281
Out of stock
Take a look at this incredible strand of Venetian Blue Chevron Beads. Chevron beads such as as these are highly sought-after by bead collectors and...
View full details
Original price
$259.00
-
Original price
$259.00
Original price
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00
-
$259.00
Current price
$259.00
Sold out
Original price
$285.00
Original price
$285.00
-
Original price
$285.00
Original price
$285.00
Current price
$265.00
$265.00
-
$265.00
Current price
$265.00
Striped Yellow Antique Venetian King Beads
in stock
One of the most iconic beads of West Africa, King Beads likely derive their stately name through their association with the wealth and status of Tr...
View full details
Original price
$285.00
Original price
$285.00
-
Original price
$285.00
Original price
$285.00
Current price
$265.00
$265.00
-
$265.00
Current price
$265.00
Save 7%
Original price
$359.00
-
Original price
$359.00
Original price
$359.00
$359.00
$359.00
-
$359.00
Current price
$359.00
Assorted Antique Venetian King Beads (Large, Graduated)
in stock
One of the most iconic beads of West Africa, King Beads likely derive their stately name through their association with the wealth and status of Tr...
View full details
Original price
$359.00
-
Original price
$359.00
Original price
$359.00
$359.00
$359.00
-
$359.00
Current price
$359.00
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00
-
$185.00
Current price
$185.00
Assorted Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye King Beads #15756
Out of stock
Admire this unique strand of authentic antique Venetian Eye King Beads, which are part of the "King Bead" family. Often displayed as a symbol of st...
View full details
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00
-
$185.00
Current price
$185.00
Sold out
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00
-
$185.00
Current price
$185.00
Assorted Antique Venetian Eye King Beads #15758
Only 1 left!
Admire this unique strand of authentic antique Venetian Eye King Beads, which are part of the "King Bead" family. Often displayed as a symbol of st...
View full details
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00
-
$185.00
Current price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00
-
$185.00
Current price
$185.00
Assorted Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye King Beads #15757
Only 1 left!
Admire this unique strand of authentic antique Venetian Eye King Beads, which are part of the "King Bead" family. Often displayed as a symbol of st...
View full details
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00
-
$185.00
Current price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
Current price
$175.00
$175.00
-
$175.00
Current price
$175.00
Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye King Beads (Light Yellow)
Only 3 left!
Admire this unique strand of authentic antique Venetian Eye King Beads, which are part of the "King Bead" family. Often displayed as a symbol of st...
View full details
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
Current price
$175.00
$175.00
-
$175.00
Current price
$175.00
Save 5%
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00
-
$185.00
Current price
$185.00
Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye King Beads
Only 5 left!
Admire this unique strand of authentic antique Venetian Eye King Beads, which are part of the "King Bead" family. Often displayed as a symbol of st...
View full details
Original price
$185.00
-
Original price
$185.00
Original price
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00
-
$185.00
Current price
$185.00