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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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Jumbo Cobalt Blue Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00

Jumbo Cobalt Blue Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

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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$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
Sold out
Cobalt Blue Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Cobalt Blue Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Jumbo Clear Aqua Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (17mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00

Jumbo Clear Aqua Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (17mm)

Out of stock

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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$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
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Iridescent Blue Core Ghana Glass Seed Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00

Iridescent Blue Core Ghana Glass Seed Beads

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of blue glass seed beads from Ghana, strung on a traditional raffia string. Each bead measures approximately 3-4 x 4mm with strand...

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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
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Blue Star Shape Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Blue Star Shape Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

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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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Sold out
Green Camouflauge Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Green Camouflauge Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful green color recycled beads are made u...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Ocean Shell Heishi Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50
$18.50
$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50

Ocean Shell Heishi Beads (14mm)

in stock

Checkout these beautiful Seashell heishi beads from west Africa! These beads are strung on sisal and could even be worn as is. The strand measures ...

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$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50
$18.50
$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50
Green Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Green Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

in stock

These great beads are made by the Krobo People of Ghana, Africa. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it so t...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Magenta Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Magenta Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Salmon Pink Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Salmon Pink Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (8mm)

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of pink Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Old Baby Blue Kenya Turkana Beads - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Old Baby Blue Kenya Turkana Beads

in stock

These authentic baby blue Turkhana beads were worn by the people of northwest Kenya. Less prominent but slightly more numbers than the Maasai, the ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Jumbo Blue-Green Swirl Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm) - The Bead Chest
Save 18% Save %
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$37.00
$37.00 - $37.00
$37.00

Jumbo Blue-Green Swirl Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)

Only 6 left!

Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized multicolor recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even ...

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$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$37.00
$37.00 - $37.00
$37.00
Save 18% Save %
Lime Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
$3.99

Lime Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

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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$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
$3.99
Sold out
Pink Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Pink Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a pink color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are some...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Purplish Brown Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Purplish Brown Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful brown color recycled beads are made u...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sold out
Aqua Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$7.65
$7.65 - $7.65
$7.65

Aqua Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful aqua swirl colored recycled beads are...

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$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$7.65
$7.65 - $7.65
$7.65
Sold out
Multicolor Recycled Glass Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Multicolor Recycled Glass Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful multicolor color recycled beads are m...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sold out
Super Jumbo Green Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (34mm) - The Bead Chest
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00

Super Jumbo Green Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (34mm)

Only 2 left!

Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized green recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harde...

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$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
Basket Design Round Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (16mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Basket Design Round Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (16mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these round-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. Thi...

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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
Sold out
Super Jumbo Dark Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (33mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00

Super Jumbo Dark Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (33mm)

Out of stock

These exceptionally large dark aqua-colored recycled glass beads are handmade in Ghana. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder ...

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$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
Sold out
Earth Swirl Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Earth Swirl Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

These great beads are made by the Krobo People of Ghana, Africa. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it so t...

View full details
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out
Old Red Phono Record Vinyl Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Old Red Phono Record Vinyl Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a red color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are somet...

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$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Sold out
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00

Cherry Red Strawstack Beads

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of red straw stack sandcast beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over ...

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$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
Sold out
Wave Cylinder Brass Filigree Beads (35x24mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Wave Cylinder Brass Filigree Beads (35x24mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these cylinder-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. ...

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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
Sold out