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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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Brass Filigree Globe Beads (Medium) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
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$22.50

Brass Filigree Globe Beads (Medium)

Out of stock

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

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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
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Black Chevron Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
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$12.50

Black Chevron Krobo Beads

in 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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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Turquoise Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$16.00
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$14.00
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$14.00

Turquoise Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Admire the deep Turquoise color of these stylish Vinyl Beads. Custom made in Ghana Africa these Vinyl beads are great for designing boho chic inspi...

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$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
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$14.00
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Vintage Sliced Brown Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
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Vintage Sliced Brown Sandcast Beads

Out of stock

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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$14.00 - $14.00
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Clear Jumbo 30mm Recycled Glass Beads (Set of 2) - The Bead Chest
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Clear Jumbo 30mm Recycled Glass Beads (Set of 2)

Out of stock

Beautiful set of two hard-to-find, JUMBO SIZE recycled glass beads. These great beads are made by the Krobo People of Ghana, Africa. Powder glass b...

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$5.00 - $5.00
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Pink Evil Eye Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Pink 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 trad...

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$16.00 - $16.00
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Jungle Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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$6.00 - $6.00
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Jungle Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this mixed strand of African vinyl beads arranged in a colorful green tones reminiscent of jungle colors. The strand measures approx...

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$6.00 - $6.00
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$6.00 - $6.00
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Aqua Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (34mm) - The Bead Chest
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$55.00 - $55.00
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$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00

Aqua Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (34mm)

Out of stock

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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$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
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Striated Bicone Brass Filigree Bicone Beads (30x10mm) - The Bead Chest
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$18.00 - $18.00
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$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Striated Bicone Brass Filigree Bicone Beads (30x10mm)

Out of stock

These Brass trade beads are from Ghana, Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is about 25" l...

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$18.00 - $18.00
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Yellow Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Yellow Glass Beads

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Yellow Glass Beads.

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Crimson Red Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.50
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$11.95
$11.95 - $11.95
$11.95

Crimson Red Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads

in stock

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

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$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$11.95
$11.95 - $11.95
$11.95
Save 4% Save %
Brass Filigree Globe Beads (Medium) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Brass Filigree Globe Beads (Medium)

Out of stock

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

View full details
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
Sold out
Blue Laurel Krobo Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00

Blue Laurel Krobo Cylinder 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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Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (5mm)

Out of stock

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

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
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Sea Style Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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$12.00

Sea 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
Old Scarlet Red Kenya Maasai Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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$12.00

Old Scarlet Red Kenya Maasai Beads

Out of stock

These authentic scarlet red Maasai beads were worn by the people of northwest Kenya. It is customary for the women to wear necklaces made of beads ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Pastel Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Pastel Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Take 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...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Medley of Old Ghana Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
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$18.00

Medley of Old Ghana Trade Beads

Out of stock

Admire this beautiful medley of old African beads from Ghana. In each strand, you will find a mixture of vintage beads from former Czechoslovakia, ...

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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
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Yellow & White Striped Black Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Yellow & White Striped Black 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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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out
Rasta Medley Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Rasta Medley 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
Traditional Black Patterned Terracotta Beads - The Bead Chest
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$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00
$30.00
$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00

Traditional Black Patterned Terracotta Beads

Out of stock

Amazing strand of authentic Black Terracotta Clay Beads from Ghana. These great strands include a medley of shapes including round, bicone, cylinde...

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$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00
$30.00
$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00
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Vintage Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$37.00 - $37.00
$37.00
$37.00
$37.00 - $37.00
$37.00

Vintage Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this nice strand of beautiful beads made from Phono Records. This exceptional strand measures approximately 30" long with beads meas...

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$37.00 - $37.00
$37.00
$37.00
$37.00 - $37.00
$37.00
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Circular Leaf Brass Filigree Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

Circular Leaf Brass Filigree Beads (18mm)

Out of stock

These Brass trade beads are from Ghana, Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is about 28" l...

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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
Sold out
Black Tribal Medley Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Black Tribal Medley Krobo Beads

in 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...

View full details
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00