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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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Vintage Moon Green Round Padre Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$24.00 - $24.00
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$24.00

Vintage Moon Green Round Padre Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Old Padre beads come in a number of varieties however padres in this moon green color are difficult to find. The age of the glass is apparent in th...

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$24.00 - $24.00
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Twisted Cage Brass Filigree Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
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$22.50

Twisted Cage Brass Filigree Beads (15mm)

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

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$22.50 - $22.50
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Jumbo Yellow Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm) - The Bead Chest
$35.00 - $35.00
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$35.00

Jumbo Yellow Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)

in stock

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

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$35.00 - $35.00
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Glass Snake Beads, Bone Color (6mm) - The Bead Chest
$65.00 - $65.00
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$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00

Glass Snake Beads, Bone Color (6mm)

Only 1 left!

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

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$65.00 - $65.00
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$65.00 - $65.00
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Multicolor Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
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$39.00
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$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
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Multicolor Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

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
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$36.00
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Ghana Green Glass Beads (2 Strands) - The Bead Chest
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$9.00 - $9.00
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Ghana Green Glass Beads (2 Strands)

Out of stock

Two long strands of ghana green small glass beads from Africa. Each bead measures approximately 4mm in diameter by 3mm in length. Variation in gree...

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Turquoise Ghana Glass Rice Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.50 - $12.50
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Turquoise Ghana Glass Rice Beads

Out of stock

Interesting african beads made from glass in shape of rice grains. Brilliant blue color beads measure 5mm diameter by 8mm long.

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Turquoise / Brown Evil Eye Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$16.00 - $16.00
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Turquoise / Brown 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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Krobo Fancy Powder Glass Elbow Beads - The Bead Chest
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Krobo Fancy Powder Glass Elbow 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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Krobo Fancy Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
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$14.00

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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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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Assorted Antique Black Venetian Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$225.00 - $225.00
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Assorted Antique Black Venetian Trade Beads

Out of stock

Old Trade beads such as these are as beautiful in their design as they are exceptional in their craftsmanship. Venetian glass beads were known for ...

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$225.00 - $225.00
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Sky Blue Strawstack Beads - The Bead Chest
$16.00 - $16.00
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Sky Blue Strawstack Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of light blue strawstack sandcast beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for...

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Eye Cross Brass Filigree Beads (36mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.50 - $22.50
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Eye Cross Brass Filigree Beads (36mm)

Out of stock

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

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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
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Vintage Red Phono Record Vinyl Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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$12.00

Vintage Red Phono Record Vinyl Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique 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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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
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Old Clear Round Dogon Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
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$185.00

Old Clear Round Dogon Trade Beads

Out of stock

Incredible strand of old wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Dogons". These are authentic beads made in Europe and traded during the last 200 y...

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$185.00 - $185.00
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$15.00 - $15.00
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Organic Green Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

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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$15.00 - $15.00
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Octopus Eye Red Twig Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$18.00 - $18.00
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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Octopus Eye Red Twig 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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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
Sold out
Green & Brown Round Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

Green & Brown Round Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

Admire these beautiful watermelon chevron beads. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of stripes on each bead. This ...

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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
Sold out
Maroon Phono Record Vinyl Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Maroon Phono Record Vinyl Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Seaside Rectangular Recycled Glass Beads 16mm - The Bead Chest
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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
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$15.00

Seaside Rectangular Recycled Glass Beads 16mm

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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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
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Vintage Rose Pink Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Vintage Rose Pink Prosser Beads

Out of stock

Sliced Prosser Beads get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia and were made by pressing molten g...

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$35.00 - $35.00
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Mocha Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Mocha Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of brown recycled glass beads. These beads are unusually small, in a hard-to-find 7mm size. Great for bracelet...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
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$9.00
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Mixed Black Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Mixed 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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out