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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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Antique Black & White Venetian Chevron Beads (5mm)
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Admire this hard-to-find strand of antique venetian glass beads. These handmade vintage beads were originally produced in Venice, Italy sometime in...
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Clear Marine Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads
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From the villages of Ghana, these beautiful recycled glass beads are made by artisan craftspeople 100% by hand. The beads themselves are made using...
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Translucent Amber Ghana Glass Seed Beads (2mm)
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We are captivated by the vibrant tone of these Amber Ghanian Glass Seed Beads. Ghanian Seed Beads are known for their striking translucence and bri...
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Earth Green 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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Earth Green 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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Southwest Style Cylindrical Krobo Beads (28x13mm)
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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 trade b...
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Light Orange Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)
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From the villages of Ghana, these beautiful light orange recycled glass beads are made by artisan craftspeople 100% by hand. The beads themselves a...
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Blue Wave Marine Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)
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These great blue wave marine recycled glass beads are made by the Krobo People of Ghana, Africa. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a...
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Brown Strawstack Beads (9mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of brown strawstack sandcast beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over...
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Mixed Small Christmas Beads (Yellow Medley)
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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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Sky Blue Sandcast Seed Beads (3mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of sky blue sandcast beads from Ghana, West Africa. Beads such as these are often worn as traditional waist beads. T...
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Jumbo Pastel Yellow Opaque Recycled Glass Beads (29mm)
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These beautiful pastel yellow opaque recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually ...
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Plum Strawstack Sandcast Beads (9mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of plum purple strawstack sandcast beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used fo...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13242
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13230
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13222
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13219
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13218
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13213
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13212
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13211
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13199
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13197
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13195
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Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...
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