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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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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13194 - The Bead Chest Sold out
$28.00 - $28.00
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13194

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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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$28.00 - $28.00
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Brown Swirl Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
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Brown Swirl Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (15mm)

in stock

From the villages of Ghana, these beautiful translucent recycled glass beads are made by artisan craftspeople 100% by hand. The beads themselves ar...

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$12.50 - $12.50
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Cobalt Blue Mist Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Cobalt Blue Mist Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

in stock

These beautiful translucent blue and white beads are made by the Krobo People of Ghana, Africa. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a ...

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$12.50 - $12.50
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Green Mist Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Green Mist Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

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These great green rondelle beads are made by the Krobo People of Ghana, Africa. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and ...

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$12.50 - $12.50
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful recycled beads are made using an old ...

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$9.00 - $9.00
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

in stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of green recycled glass beads. Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghan...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful dark green color recycled beads are m...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

in stock

These stunning dark green beads are made by the Krobo People of Ghana, Africa. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and h...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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$12.00 - $12.00
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
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$16.50 - $16.50
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Emerald Green Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

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These beautiful deep green recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafte...

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Dinosaur Green Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$15.00 - $15.00
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Dinosaur Green Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

in stock

This uniquely patterned strand of green rondelle beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for makin...

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$15.00 - $15.00
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Dinosaur Green Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
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$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00

Dinosaur Green 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 ...

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$14.00 - $14.00
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Light Olive Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
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Light Olive Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful translucent pale green recycled beads...

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$9.00 - $9.00
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White Fire Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
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White Fire Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

This uniquely patterned strand of white rondelle beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for makin...

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$14.00 - $14.00
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Green Flower Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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$239.00 - $239.00
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Green Flower Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads (8mm)

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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$239.00 - $239.00
$239.00
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Pastel Carolina Blue Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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Pastel Carolina Blue Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue color Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used fo...

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$12.50 - $12.50
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Summer Medley Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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Summer Medley Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of colorful Ashanti glass saucer beads. Get multiple colors for the price of one! The process of making these beads ...

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$12.50 - $12.50
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Aqua Marine Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
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$16.50 - $16.50
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Aqua Marine Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

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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$16.50 - $16.50
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Orange Ghana Glass Seed Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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Orange Ghana Glass Seed Beads (4mm)

in stock

This strand of vibrant seed beads comes from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 2-4 x 4-5mm, with a hole size of approximately 1mm. You will r...

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$4.00 - $4.00
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Vintage African Sandcast Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
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Vintage African Sandcast Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

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

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$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00 - $10.00
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Pastel Blue Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Pastel Blue Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

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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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
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Antique Venetian Red Cane African Trade Beads (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
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$450.00
$450.00 - $450.00
$450.00
$365.00
$365.00 - $365.00
$365.00

Antique Venetian Red Cane African Trade Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

WOW! Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! This rare variety of trade beads is made from a solid cane a...

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$450.00
$450.00 - $450.00
$450.00
$365.00
$365.00 - $365.00
$365.00
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13709 - The Bead Chest
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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13709

Out of stock

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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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13708 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13708

Out of stock

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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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13706 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13706

Out of stock

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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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Sold out