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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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Sun & Water Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)
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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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White Fire Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)
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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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Tiger Blue Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)
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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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Ocean Jungle Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)
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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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Sun & Fire Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)
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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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Midnight Black Fused Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)
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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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Alpine Teal 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 blue color recycled beads are made us...
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Kumasi Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)
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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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Premium Vintage Mixed Sandcast Beads
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Take a look a this great medley of glass trade beads! These beads have been collected from various West African countries including Nigeria, Ghana,...
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House Medley Fused Rectangular Recycled Glass Beads
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This uniquely patterned strand of rectangular beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for making t...
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Multicolor Fused 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 red recycled beads are made using an ...
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Multicolor Fused Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)
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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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Multicolor Fused Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)
Only 10 left!
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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Multicolor Fused Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)
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Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful red recycled beads are made using an ...
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Jumbo Multicolor Fused Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)
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Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder to f...
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Large Jumbo Multicolor Fused Recycled Glass Beads (26mm)
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Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder to f...
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Jumbo Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #1813
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Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This beautiful strand of old african trade beads contains a m...
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Accra Medley Mixed Cylindrical 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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Old Awalleh Chevron Beads (3-5mm)
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Admire this beautiful strand of Awalleh trade beads. These authentic chevron beads are larger than standard, measuring approximately 3-5mm with a h...
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Striped Ghana Brass Beads (20mm)
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These Brass trade beads are from Ghana, Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is about 26" lo...
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Jumbo Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #1810
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Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This beautiful strand of old african trade beads contains a m...
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Mottled Medley Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads
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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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Super Jumbo Speckled Blue Wave Marine Recycled Glass Beads (35mm)
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Take a look at these unique Super Jumbo Blue Wave Marine Recycled Glass Beads. Handmade in Ghana, Africa these oversized beads are truly stunning. ...
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Clear Marine Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)
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Take a look at this beautiful strand of clear marine recycled glass beads. These beads are unusually small, in a hard-to-find 7mm size. Great for b...
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