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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.
Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a green color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are som...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are sometimes worn as wa...
View full detailsTake a look at these Brass Filigree-style trade beads from Africa. Each bead is individually made by the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand i...
View full detailsThese round brass beads from Ghana were individually crafted using an age-old technique from West Africa. Resembling a filigree beads, these beads ...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a multicolor color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they ar...
View full detailsChristmas 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 detailsRecycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful green color recycled beads are made u...
View full detailsTake a moment to examine these beautifully made Vintage Turquoise Czech Cylinder Beads. This style of bead making was developed in Bohemia, aka the...
View full detailsBeautiful strand of glass beads in a nice multicolor color. The strand has approximately 170 beads and measures 29" in length. Each bead measures 4...
View full detailsTake a look at these Brass Filligree-style trade beads from Africa. Each bead is individually made by the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand ...
View full detailsBright, beautifully colored glass Byfal beads. These great beads are accentuated by shades of red and yellow with the occasional interspersed chevr...
View full detailsA 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...
View full detailsA 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...
View full detailsRecycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful purple recycled beads are made using ...
View full detailsTake a look at this nice strand of mixed African beads vinyl beads arranged in the traditional colors of Ghana. The strand measures approximately 3...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful strand of brown recycled glass beads. You will receive a 25" strand with approximately 62 beads. Recycled glass beads...
View full detailsTwo strands of brown color small glass beads from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 4mm in diameter by 3mm in length. Some variation in indiv...
View full detailsTake 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...
View full detailsFrom the villages of Ghana, these beautiful recycled glass beads are made by artisan craftspeople 100% by hand. The beads themselves are made using...
View full detailsCheckout this beautiful strand of purple color white heart beads! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white glass that is ...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful strand of green recycled glass beads. You will receive a 25" strand with approximately 65 beads. Recycled glass beads...
View full detailsThese authentic red Turkhana beads were worn by the people of northwest Kenya. Less prominent but slightly more numbers than the Maasai, the Turkan...
View full detailsThese great Amber Recycled Glass beads come to us all the way from Ghana, Africa. Take a closer look and you will notice the beautiful color gradie...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a orange color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are so...
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