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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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Rectangular Wedding Cake Blue Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
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$12.50

Rectangular Wedding Cake Blue 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
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Blue Mosaic Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Blue Mosaic 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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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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Jumbo Natural West African Shell Beads (White) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00

Jumbo Natural West African Shell Beads (White)

Out of stock

From the shores of West Africa, these large shell beads have a timeless and simple beauty. The natural matte finish of these shells gives them a ru...

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$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
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Pumpkin Orange Fused Recycled Glass Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75

Pumpkin Orange Fused Recycled Glass Beads (10mm)

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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$6.75 - $6.75
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Blue and Brown Sandcast Powder Glass Beads (2 Strands) - The Bead Chest
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$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Blue and Brown Sandcast Powder Glass Beads (2 Strands)

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Checkout these beautiful strands of multicolor sandcast beads from Ghana, West Africa. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and ha...

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$6.50 - $6.50
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$6.50 - $6.50
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Strawstack Barrel Ghana Brass Filigree Beads - The Bead Chest
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$22.50 - $22.50
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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Strawstack Barrel Ghana Brass Filigree Beads

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

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$22.50 - $22.50
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Red White & Blue Matte Ghana Chevron Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Red White & Blue Matte Ghana Chevron Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Red Spot Geometric Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Red Spot Geometric Krobo Beads

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of glass beads in a nice multicolor geometric pattern. The strand has approximately 35 beads and measures 25” in length. Each be...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this white heart beads in an unusual seafoam green aqua color! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white glass th...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Peach Recycled Glass Beads (Large) - The Bead Chest
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$14.50 - $14.50
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$14.50

Peach Recycled Glass Beads (Large)

Out of stock

Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it so that the particles fuse together. The glass is then poured into cl...

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$14.50 - $14.50
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Lavender Goosberry Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
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$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

Lavender Goosberry Cylinder Beads

Out of stock

Check out this great strand of Gooseberry Beads. These beads are handmade individually and have a diameter of approximately 10 mm. They are about ...

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$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
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Orange White Heart Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
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$15.00

Orange White Heart Beads (8mm)

Only 2 left!

Checkout this beautiful strand of orange color white heart beads! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white glass that is ...

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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
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$15.00
Olive Green Sandcast Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Olive Green Sandcast Cylinder Beads

Out of stock

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

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
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Large Vintage Christmas Beads (Kumasi Medley) - The Bead Chest
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$6.75 - $6.75
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Large Vintage Christmas Beads (Kumasi Medley)

Out of stock

Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

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$6.75 - $6.75
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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Dark Green Sandcast Cylinder Beads

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of African sandcast. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over 1000 years. P...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
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Sandcast Beads (3 Strands) - The Bead Chest
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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Sandcast Beads (3 Strands)

Out of stock

Checkout these three beautiful strands of African sandcast. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over 1000 ...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
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Parade Medley Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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$12.00

Parade Medley Krobo Beads

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of glass beads in a nice multicolor color. The strand has approximately 35 beads and measures 29" in length. Each bead measures 12...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Old Green & White Striped Venetian Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Old Green & White Striped Venetian Glass Beads

Out of stock

This special strand of old trade beads was found in West Africa, but likely manufactured during the early 20th century by Venetian production. Each...

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$39.00 - $39.00
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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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Old African End of Day Beads (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
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$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00

Old African End of Day Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Take a look at this hard to find strand of End of Day Beads from Ghana in West Africa. Beads such as this are made by recycling older broken beads ...

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$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
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Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

Out of stock

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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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
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Matted Brown Chevron Beads (4x5mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80
$9.80
$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80

Matted Brown Chevron Beads (4x5mm)

in stock

Checkout this nice strand of Glass Chevrons from Ghana, Africa. Matted chevron beads such as these are harder to find. Each strand measures approxi...

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$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80
$9.80
$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80
Rainforest Green Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Rainforest Green Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Out of 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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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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Krobo Fancy Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50
$19.50
$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50

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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$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50
$19.50
$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50
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Fancy Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00

Fancy 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...

View full details
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
Sold out