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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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Black Skunk Beads (15mm)
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A beautiful strand of black and white skunk beads, made to resemble the older Eye beads produced in Italy in the 1800 early 1900. The idea of the ...
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Red & White Fused 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 red recycled beads are made using an ...
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Natural African Shell Shard Beads
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Take a look at these superb Shell Shard Beads. We love the rough and rustic feel of these natural shell beads. Each piece is made from a well-worn ...
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Jumbo Red Black Swirl Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads
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These beautiful recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafted through a...
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Super Jumbo Rainbow Speckled Aqua Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (32mm)
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Take 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...
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Pistachio Green Glass Disk Beads
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Take a look at these beautiful rondelle shaped glass disk beads!
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Old Mali Stone Beads (Dark)
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Mali Stone beads are said to be centuries old because they seem to have been made in a very primitive way. This strand of African beads is 34" long...
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Jumbo Purple Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)
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Take 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...
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Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm)
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Take 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...
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Jumbo Purple Dotted Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)
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Take 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...
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Spherical Natural Ghana Horn Beads (15-30mm)
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This exceptional strand of beads is handmade from cow horn in Ghana, West Africa. Look carefully and you will see the unique grain of the polished ...
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Super Jumbo Amber Recycled Glass Beads (35mm)
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Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of super jumbo-sized recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...
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Coral-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm)
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Admire these beautiful glass beads from Ghana designed to imitate authentic coral. These cylindrical beads are rich in detail and texture. Each bea...
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Ivory White Prosser Button Beads (7mm)
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Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...
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Super Jumbo Azul Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (35mm)
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Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of super jumbo-sized recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...
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Vintage Sliced Chocolate Sandcast Beads
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These beautiful brown powder glass beads, also known as brown sandcast, are vintage beads from West Africa. Powder glass beads in this unique slice...
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Braided Brass Filigree Oval Beads (24x15mm)
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Take a look at these oval-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. This...
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Eye Design Elbow Brass Filigree Beads (26x9mm)
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Take a look at these elbow-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. Thi...
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Flat Bicone Leaf Brass Filigree Beads (19mm)
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These Brass trade beads are from Ghana, Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is about 27" l...
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Super Jumbo Lime Green Recycled Glass Beads (35mm)
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Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of super jumbo-sized recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...
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Turquoise & Red Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Jumbo Brown Swirl Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)
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Take 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...
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Striped Oval Brass Filigree Beads (24x18mm)
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Take a look at these oval-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. This...
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Super Jumbo Light Blue Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (35mm)
Only 5 left!
Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of super jumbo-sized recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...
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