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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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Mixed Multicolor Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00

Mixed Multicolor 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 b...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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$14.00 - $14.00
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Black White Heart Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$25.00 - $25.00
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$25.00

Black White Heart Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of unusual black white heart beads! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 6mm in diameter.

$25.00 - $25.00
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Mini-Triangle Sun Brass Filigree Beads (16x18mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$22.00 - $22.00
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$22.00

Mini-Triangle Sun Brass Filigree Beads (16x18mm)

Out of stock

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

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$22.00 - $22.00
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Millefiori Beads (Cylindrical) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
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$24.50

Millefiori Beads (Cylindrical)

Out of stock

You are looking at a beautiful strand of round Millefiori beads. Colorful and vibrant, these beads would make a great addition to any jewelry piece...

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$24.50 - $24.50
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Tic-Tac-Toe Krobo Elbow Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00

Tic-Tac-Toe Krobo Elbow Beads

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. The design of these Krobo beads is p...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Black Krobo Footprint Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00
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$10.00

Black Krobo Footprint 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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$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$10.00
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$10.00
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Super Jumbo Premium Mixed Recycled Glass Beads (34mm) - The Bead Chest
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$55.00 - $55.00
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$55.00

Super Jumbo Premium Mixed 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
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Vintage Black Vinyl Phono Record Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
$24.00 - $24.00
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$24.00

Vintage Black Vinyl Phono Record Beads (12mm)

Only 3 left!

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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$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
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$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
Krobo Jamaica Chevron Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00

Krobo Jamaica Chevron 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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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Sold out
Krobo Fancy Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$16.00 - $16.00
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Krobo Fancy 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
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
Sold out
Flat Woven Circle Brass Filigree Beads (16mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
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$22.50

Flat Woven Circle Brass Filigree Beads (16mm)

Out of stock

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

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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
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$22.50
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Jumbo Dark Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (22mm) - The Bead Chest
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00

Jumbo Dark Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (22mm)

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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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Iridescent Purple Ghana Glass Beads (2 Strands) - The Bead Chest
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$8.00 - $8.00
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$8.00

Iridescent Purple Ghana Glass Beads (2 Strands)

Out of stock

Two strands of whimsical purple and blue color small glass beads from Ghana. These beads are made with two layers of different color glass to prod...

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$8.00 - $8.00
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House Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00

House Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

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

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Brass Filigree Globe Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.50 - $22.50
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Brass Filigree Globe Beads (18mm)

Out of stock

Take a moment to truly appreciate the intricate detail of these stunning Brass Filigree Globe Beads. These Brass Filigree beads are sourced all the...

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$22.50 - $22.50
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Blue Kakamba Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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$19.95 - $19.95
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$19.95
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$19.95

Blue Kakamba Prosser Beads

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of blue color kakamba prosser beads Each strand of kakamba is unique and you will receive a beautiful strand of these gorgeous b...

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$19.95 - $19.95
$19.95
$19.95
$19.95 - $19.95
$19.95
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Vintage Black Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14-16mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

Vintage Black 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...

View full details
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
Sold out
Green Phono Record Beads (8-10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50
$19.50
$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50

Green Phono Record Beads (8-10mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this unusual green strand of African beads made from Phono Records. The strand measures approximately 30" long with beads measuring ...

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$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50
$19.50
$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50
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Green King Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$29.50
$29.50 - $29.50
$29.50

Green King Trade Beads

Out of stock

Here we have a beautiful strand of King beads. Strands like this are hard to come across. They are handmade with great attention to detail. Each be...

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$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$29.50
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$29.50
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Clear Round Beads - The Bead Chest
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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Clear Round Beads

Out of stock

These round clear glass beads are handmade. They are wound glass with 20 mm in diameter. Description

$18.00 - $18.00
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Green Aqua Ghana Glass Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
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$5.00

Green Aqua Ghana Glass Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

One strand of green color small glass beads from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 3-4 x 4-5mm with strand length of 27". Some variation in i...

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$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
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Glass Snake Beads, Amber Color (Small) - The Bead Chest
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$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00

Glass Snake Beads, Amber Color (Small)

Out of stock

This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from ...

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$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
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Red Candy Krobo Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Red Candy 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
Sold out
Granite Grey Kente Krobo Beads (20x10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Granite Grey Kente Krobo Beads (20x10mm)

Out of stock

Ghana is known for its history of traditional bead-making. These beautiful powder glass beads are made by Krobo tribe people using centuries-old te...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out