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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.
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 detailsTake a look at these beautiful recycled glass beads. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it so that the part...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads multicolor 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 in a multicolor color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they ar...
View full detailsCheckout this beautiful strand of translucent red white hearts! The strand measures approximately 25" long, with individual beads measuring about 4...
View full detailsTake a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized yellow recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even hard...
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 detailsRecycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful brown color recycled beads are made u...
View full detailsCheckout this beautiful strand of green color Ghana glass disk beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for o...
View full detailsCheckout this beautiful strand of large size translucent yellow white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 7-8...
View full detailsThese beautiful recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafted through a...
View full detailsTake a look at these beautiful recycled glass beads. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it so that the part...
View full detailsCheckout this beautiful strand of translucent turquoise-blue white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 6 mm i...
View full detailsMake a statement with these exceptional Jumbo Blue Wave Marine Recycled Glass Beads. Oversized beads like this look amazing when used to decorate a...
View full detailsPrepare to be amazed. Our Jumbo Blue, Green and White Recycled Glass Beads are truly breathtaking. Coming from Ghana these recycled glass beads are...
View full detailsAdmire the detail of these unusual beads fashioned in a rondelle-like shape from the natural shell of the ocean conch. The material for these uniqu...
View full detailsAdmire these unique and unusually large painted glass beads made by artisans from the Krobo tribe in Ghana. These beads resemble old fancy trade be...
View full detailsThese brass trade beads fashioned in a bird nest-like form are from Ghana, Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" te...
View full detailsWe are amazed by these Mini Brass Filigree Circle Cross Patterned beads. Coming to us all the way from West Africa these artisan beads are truly un...
View full detailsTake 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...
View full detailsCheckout this nice strand of Glass Chevrons from Ghana, Africa. The strand measures 24" in length, with beads measuring approximately 5-6mm in diam...
View full detailsTake a look at these triangle-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. ...
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 detailsCheckout this beautiful strand of orange color Ghana glass disk beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for ...
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