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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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Cobalt Blue Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
$8.00 - $8.00
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Cobalt Blue Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue color Ghana glass disk beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for ov...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Jumbo Navy Blue White Heart Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
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$15.00

Jumbo Navy Blue White Heart Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Admire this exceptional strand of Navy Blue White Heart beads in a hard to find 8mm diameter size. Bead such as this were made in Europe before bei...

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$15.00 - $15.00
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Sky Blue Fused Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00

Sky Blue Fused Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in 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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$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Cornflower Blue Sandcast Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Cornflower Blue Sandcast Cylinder Beads

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue sandcast beads from Ghana, West Africa. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been u...

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$8.00 - $8.00
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Blue Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
Save 8% Save %
$39.00
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$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00

Blue Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads

Only 3 left!

Checkout these beautiful chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...

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$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
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Green Grey Swirl Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Green Grey 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...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
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$12.50
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Jumbo Basket Design Brass Filigree Beads (27x28mm) - The Bead Chest
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$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Jumbo Basket Design Brass Filigree Beads (27x28mm)

Out of stock

These unusually large Ghana Brass beads are made individually using the "Lost Wax process" technique. This is a traditional casting method used in ...

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$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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Vintage White Round Padre Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Vintage White Round Padre Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Old Padre beads come in a number of varieties. In these special white padres, the age of the glass is apparent in the unique imperfections that com...

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$18.00 - $18.00
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Matte Yellow & Black Ghana Chevron Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Matte Yellow & Black Ghana Chevron Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

This exceptional strand of ghana chevron beads is matte in finish and patterned with yellow and black stripes. These beads are superb to use as spa...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00
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Multicolor Unpainted Krobo Beads (18x11mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
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$12.50

Multicolor Unpainted Krobo Beads (18x11mm)

Only 8 left!

While Krobo beads are generally painted with traditional designs, these beads have yet to be painted and provide an open canvas for the creative de...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Indigo Blue & White Matte Ghana Chevron Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00

Indigo Blue & White Matte Ghana Chevron Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

This exceptional strand of blue & white ghana chevron beads is matte in finish and patterned with white stripes. These beads are superb to use ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Neon Orange Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
$3.99

Neon Orange Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

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

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$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
$3.99
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Cobalt Blue Strawstack Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
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$16.00

Cobalt Blue Strawstack Sandcast Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue strawstack 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
Black Glass Beads (Set of 2) - The Bead Chest
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$15.00
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$15.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Black Glass Beads (Set of 2)

Out of stock

Strand of black color glass beads. Each bead measures approximately 4mm in diameter. Strands are sold as set of 2.

$15.00
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$9.00
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Grey Granite-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00

Grey Granite-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm)

Out of stock

Admire these beautiful glass beads from Ghana designed to imitate authentic granite stone. These cylindrical beads are rich in detail and texture. ...

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$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00
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Sea Green Recycled Glass Beads (Tabular) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Sea Green Recycled Glass Beads (Tabular)

Out of stock

Take 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...

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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
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Jungle Green Kakamba Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Jungle Green Kakamba Prosser Beads

Out of stock

These green czech-made "Prosser" beads were strung and traded in West Africa. Modeled after vintage "kakamba" beads, these beads each have a uniqu...

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$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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Fancy Red Millefiore-Style Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Fancy Red Millefiori-Style Krobo Beads

Out of stock

A 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...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Jumbo Dark Camouflauge Recycled Glass Beads (27mm) - The Bead Chest
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

Jumbo Dark Camouflauge Recycled Glass Beads (27mm)

in stock

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

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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
Burundi Brown Natural Seashell Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00

Burundi Brown Natural Seashell Beads

Out of stock

Take a moment to admire these interesting Brownish Shell Beads. Found in Ghana, natural shell beads like these are unique in their color and patter...

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$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
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$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
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White Goomba Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
$17.50
$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50

White Goomba Beads (12mm)

Out of stock

These old white Goomba Cylinder beads were used for the African Trade in the 1900's. They are made from European glass and measure approximately 7-...

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$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
$17.50
$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
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Bright Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Bright Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
3 Strand Blues Bundle - Vintage Turkana Beads - The Bead Chest
Save 17% Save %
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$30.00
$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00

3 Strand Blues Bundle - Vintage Turkana Beads

in stock

This bundle includes one strand of each color: navy blue, cobalt blue, and baby blue. These authentic Turkana beads were worn by the people of nort...

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$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$30.00
$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00
Save 17% Save %
Nested Cylinder Brass Filigree Beads (35x24mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Nested 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