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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.
Beautiful strand of white metal coil beads. Unique design!
Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...
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 detailsA beautiful strand of black and white skunk beads less common rectangular shape, made to resemble the older Eye beads produced in Italy in the 1800...
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 detailsTake a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized blue recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder...
View full detailsThese unusually large Ghana Brass beads are made individually using the "Lost Wax process" technique. This is a traditional casting method used in ...
View full detailsTake a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized blue recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder...
View full detailsTake a look at these bicone-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. Th...
View full detailsTake a look at these unusual bicone-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" techn...
View full detailsThese authentic cobalt blue Turkhana beads were worn by the people of northwest Kenya. Less prominent but slightly more numbers than the Maasai, th...
View full detailsAdmire these beautiful glass beads from Ghana designed to imitate authentic turquoise gemstone. These cylindrical beads are rich in detail and text...
View full detailsCheckout this beautiful strand of translucent red white hearts! The strand measures approximately 27", with beads measuring about 4.5-5mm in diame...
View full detailsCheckout this beautiful strand of red color Ghana glass disk beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for ove...
View full detailsTake a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized grey recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder...
View full detailsCheckout this beautiful strand of yellow color Ghana glass disk beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for ...
View full detailsTake a look at these vintage trade beads brought from Ghana. Commonly referred to as "Ovally beads" these resin beads come in a deep red color and ...
View full detailsThis uniquely patterned strand of rondelle beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for making the ...
View full detailsCheckout this beautiful amber colored strand of African sandcast beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used fo...
View full detailsTake a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized dark blue green swirl recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to fin...
View full detailsHere we have a beautiful strand of yellow King Beads. Strands like this are hard to come across. They are handmade of the highest quality glass. Ea...
View full detailsThese beautiful orange powder glass beads, also known as orange sandcast, are vintage beads from West Africa. Powder glass beads in this unique sli...
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 detailsCheckout these beautiful Venetian trade beads. Similar to the commonly known "watermelon chevrons", these beads are a rare, solid yellow color, alm...
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