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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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Blue & White Chevron Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Blue & White Chevron Beads (6mm)

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Admire these blue chevron beads which are patterned with simple white stripes. They have a traditional look and artisan character. These beads are ...

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Vintage Ashanti Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Vintage Ashanti Sandcast Beads

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Sandcast beads such as these are a traditional craft indigenous to West Africa. The Ashanti region is widely known for the quality and craftsmanshi...

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Navy Blue Ghana Glass Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Navy Blue Ghana Glass Beads (4mm)

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Beautiful strand of blue color small glass beads from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 3 x 4mm with strand length of 28". Some variation in ...

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Charcoal Brown Recycled Glass Beads (Tabular) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Charcoal Brown Recycled Glass Beads (Tabular)

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Take a look at these beautiful recycled glass beads. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it so that the part...

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Amber Glass Ghana Disk Beads - The Bead Chest
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Amber Glass Ghana Disk Beads

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Take a look at these beautiful disk-shaped amber glass beads! These unusual beads are slightly irregularly-shaped and this gives them a cool look!

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Seaside Blue Oblong Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Seaside Blue Oblong 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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Lime Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Lime Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

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Take a look at these beautiful rondelle shaped recycled glass beads. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it ...

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Light Orange Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
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Light Orange Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

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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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Green Marine Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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Green Marine Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

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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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8 Strand Bundle: Ghana Sandcast Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
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8 Strand Bundle: Ghana Sandcast Seed Beads

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You will receive all eight strands pictured in this beautiful collection of sandcast beads from Ghana, West Africa. Beads such as these are often w...

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$29.00
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Pink Dotted Krobo Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Pink Dotted Krobo Glass Beads

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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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Mini Black Chevron Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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Mini Black Chevron 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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Jumbo Clear Recycled Glass Bicone Beads (25mm) - The Bead Chest
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Jumbo Clear Recycled Glass Bicone Beads (25mm)

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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$45.00
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$45.00
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12 Strand Rainbow Bundle - Recycled Glass Beads - 9mm - The Bead Chest
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$109.00
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12 Strand Rainbow Bundle - Recycled Glass Beads - 9mm

Out of stock

Admire this beautiful bundle of 12 strands of handmade Ghanaian beads. Made from recycled glass, these beads are fashioned using age-old methods in...

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$109.00
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Mauritanian Kiffa Beads - The Bead Chest
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Mauritanian Kiffa Beads

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Take a look at this nice strand of Kiffa beads from Mauritania, Africa. These beads take their name from the city of Kiffa where these beads are sa...

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White Glass Beads (set of 2) - The Bead Chest
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White Glass Beads (set of 2)

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Set of two white glass beads. Each bead measures approximately 4-5mm in diameter.

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Old Striped Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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Old Striped Phono Record Beads (8mm)

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Take a look at this nice strand of beautiful beads made from Phono Records. The long strand measures approx. 32-35" long with beads measuring 8mm i...

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Basket-Shaped Round Brass Filigree Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
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Basket-Shaped Round 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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Blue Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
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Blue Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

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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Woven Round Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.50 - $22.50
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Woven Round Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

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
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
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Woven Brass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$29.00 - $29.00
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Woven Brass Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of 'woven brass' beads from Ghana. These beads are rare and hard to find.

$29.00 - $29.00
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Sky Blue Padre Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
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Sky Blue Padre Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these beautiful sky blue padre beads. Made from Czech glass, padre beads such as these have been traded in African since as early as...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Brown Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
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Brown Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

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

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$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00
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$10.00
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White Eye Round Krobo Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00
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$14.00

White Eye Round Krobo Beads (12mm)

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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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00