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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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Light Blue Glass Beads (2 Strands) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Light Blue Glass Beads (2 Strands)

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Two long strands of light blue small glass beads from Africa. Each bead measures approximately 4mm in diameter by 3mm in length. Some variation in ...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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Blue Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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$3.99 - $3.99
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Blue Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm)

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

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$6.00 - $6.00
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$3.99
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Red Vinyl Phono Record Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Red Vinyl Phono Record Beads (5mm)

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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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$9.00 - $9.00
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Lava Spot Round Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Lava Spot Round Krobo Beads

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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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Bright Green Flat Watermelon Venetian Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
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Bright Green Flat Watermelon Venetian Chevron Beads

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We are amazed by these finely crafted strands of Flat Green Watermelon Venetian Chevron Beads. Green Venetian Chevron Beads like this are hard to c...

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Blue Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
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Blue Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

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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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Cameroon-Style Brass Filigree Globe Beads (24mm) - The Bead Chest
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Cameroon-Style Brass Filigree Globe Beads (24mm)

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Take a look at these Brass "Globe" trade beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is...

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Imperial Blue Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$225.00 - $225.00
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Imperial Blue Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

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Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

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$225.00 - $225.00
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Mixed Brown Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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Mixed Brown Krobo Beads

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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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Camouflage Recycled Glass Beads (Large) - The Bead Chest
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$14.50 - $14.50
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$14.50

Camouflage Recycled Glass Beads (Large)

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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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$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
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American Fused Recycled Glass Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
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American Fused Recycled Glass Beads (12mm)

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This uniquely patterned strand of recycled glass beads beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for...

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Olive Green Mosaic Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Olive Green Mosaic Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

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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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$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
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Criss Cross Cylinder Ghana Brass Filigree Beads - The Bead Chest
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Criss Cross Cylinder Ghana Brass Filigree Beads

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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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$15.00
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Blue & Yellow Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (14x6mm) - The Bead Chest
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$23.00
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$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00

Blue & Yellow Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (14x6mm)

Out of stock

Take a moment to appreciate these splendid Blue and Yellow Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads! Glass Venetian Beads like this have been produced and...

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$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
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$19.00
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Papaya Orange Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
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Papaya Orange Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

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

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$9.00 - $9.00
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Dark Cobalt Blue Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.50 - $12.50
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Dark Cobalt Blue Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

From the villages of Ghana, these beautiful dark blue recycled glass beads are made by artisan craftspeople 100% by hand. The beads themselves are ...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
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Yellow Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14-16mm) - The Bead Chest
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$25.00 - $25.00
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Yellow Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14-16mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this exceptional strand of vintage vinyl beads. Said to be made from vulcanized rubber or recycled phonograph records, beads such as...

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$25.00 - $25.00
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Trade Bead Medley Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Trade Bead Medley Krobo Beads

Out of stock

This beautiful strand of African powder glass beads was made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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Sunrise Yellow Sandcast Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
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$6.50
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$6.50

Sunrise Yellow Sandcast Seed Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of yellow sandcast beads from Ghana, West Africa. Beads such as these are often worn as traditional waist beads. The...

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$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
Green Star Shape Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$35.00 - $35.00
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$35.00

Green 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 green color recycled beads are made u...

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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
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Cylindrical Russian Blue Style Glass Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Cylindrical Russian Blue Style Glass Trade Beads

Out of stock

Similar to Russian Blue beads these cylindrical blue glass beads derive their romantic name from their involvement in the Russian fur trade of the ...

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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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$39.00
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Evil Eye Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
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$17.50

Evil Eye Krobo Powder Glass Beads

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain ( Ghana , West Africa ) reproducing old Venetian FANCY trade...

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$17.50 - $17.50
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Yellow Tic-Tac-Toe Style Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Yellow Tic-Tac-Toe 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
Sold out
Cobalt Blue Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (9-12mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00

Cobalt Blue Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (9-12mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this exceptional strand of vintage vinyl beads. Said to be made from vulcanized rubber or recycled phonograph records, beads such as...

View full details
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
Sold out