BEADS
- Anna Naami
- Oct 11, 2016
- 1 min read
The term African Beads is used to refer to both beads locally produced by indigenous people of the African continent as well as Trade Beads that have traveled from other parts of the world are now in other parts of the world.
Together these beads have played an enormous role in the culture, fashion, economy and artistic expression of the African people.
Today, they are cherished by collectors, jewelry makers, and everyday people who just love wearing African beads! African tribal beads and glass beads also hold a special mythical significance as well. At the peak of trade it is estimated that beads accounted for 40% of total imports or 2.5lbs glass beads /year for every man, women and child.
Today the tradition of beads continues to be ingrained in African culture and old trade beads are still used for internal commerce.
African Beads are made from a diverse array of materials. Some of the oldest beads were made from natural materials such as stones, clay, plant materials such as doum palm nuts and bamboo stems, animal materials such as ostrich eggshells, bones such as the Bank Batik Bone bead of Kenya, buffalo horn, and marine shells such as the Conus. These materials continue to be used today.
Similarly, metal beads have been made from gold, bronze, and brass especially in West African countries such as Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Mali, Cameroon, and Senegal. Silver has also been traditionally popular in Ethiopia.
Reference: http://www.newsghana.com.gh/history-of-african-beads/
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