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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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Orchid Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
$7.00 - $7.00
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$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00

Orchid Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm)

in stock

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

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$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
Black and White Glass Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$4.00 - $4.00
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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00

Black and White Glass Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of mixed glass seed beads from Ghana, strung on a traditional raffia string. Each bead measures approximately 3-4 x 4mm with stran...

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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
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Super Jumbo Padre-Sized Red White Heart Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Super Jumbo Padre-Sized Red White Heart Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of exceptionally large red white heart beads! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white gla...

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$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
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Grey Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Grey Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm)

in stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a grey 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
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sunyani Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Sunyani 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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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Light Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Light Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Pistachio Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00

Pistachio Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm)

in stock

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

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$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
Corn Yellow Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Corn Yellow Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

Out of stock

These beautiful recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafted through a...

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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
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Teal Kente Krobo Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Teal Kente Krobo Beads (14mm)

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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$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Light-Blue Green Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Blue Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Blue Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Blue Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Blue 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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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
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Sold out
$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00

Red White Heart Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent red white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about between 5-6mm in...

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$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00
Sold out
Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm)

Out of stock

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

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$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
Sold out
Grey Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Grey Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm)

in stock

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

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$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
Plum Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Plum Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm)

in stock

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

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$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
Amber Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Amber Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

in stock

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Dark Grey Kente Krobo Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Dark Grey Kente Krobo Beads (14mm)

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Rustic Red Medley) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Rustic Red 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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$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
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Camouflage Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Camouflage Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

Only 8 left!

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Super Jumbo Clear Recycled Glass Beads (35mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

Super Jumbo Clear Recycled Glass Beads (35mm)

Out of stock

All strands have approximately 3-5 beads will have internal fractures and possibly one broken bead but are mostly intact. Price has been discounted...

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$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
Sold out
Lava Fire 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

Lava Fire 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 ...

View full details
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Pistachio Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Pistachio Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm)

in stock

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

View full details
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00

Orange Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm)

in stock

Take a look at this unusual strand of Orange color African Phono Record beads. The strand measures about 32" long with beads measuring 4mm in diam...

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$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00