About African Beads

This blog is dedicated to African Beads – about them, where they come from, how they are made, and the regions they come from.

This blog is an expansion of our web-store, Rex’s African Bead Shop (rexbeads.com).  If you are interested in purchasing any of the products mentioned here, please visit our store.

Thank You, and enjoy your stay.

Yellow is a common color for older antique beads mainly because this color was a popular choice for trade beads in ancient times.  Yellow beads were also common during ancient times, mainly because the color yellow was easy to create. As such the color yellow was obtainable in the form of dyes which were then used to give the beads that distinct yellow color that they still retain centuries later.  Old antique yellow beads were valued for their attractive color which attracted attention and made the wearer of a yellow bead jewelry item stand out from the crowd. Older antique beads are over a century old and are very rare.  Today, old antique yellow beads remain just as attractive for use as embellishments on clothing as well as standalone jewelry pieces.

African trade beads came about as a result of the need for traders along the route between Europe and Africa for a currency to trade with the Africans. Beads fitted here as the most appropriate medium of exchange due to the affinity that African people had for various types of beads. The trade beads were therefore used for purposes of battering goods of value from the peoples of Africa such as ivory, gold, palm oil and slaves.

The history of African trade beads dates as far back as the fifteenth century with the coming of the Portuguese. Upon arrival in West Africa, the Portuguese discovered just how important beads were to the African people. The beads they found were crafted out of various objects and materials including gold, iron, ivory, organic objects and bone. At the same time, the Portuguese discovered that the resources that the European market was desperate for were in abundance in Africa. The traders therefore decided to use glass beads as a medium in bartering for goods and raw materials with the Africans.

Glass beads were particularly singled out because glass working technology had not yet been discovered in Africa. Therefore, the African people were in awe of the exquisite beads of glass that the European traders had to offer. Because these beads were also used in bartering slaves, they were to later earn the name “slave beads” or aggry beads. Europe responded to the popularity and increased demand for African trade beads by increasing production in cities such as Venice which is today still famous for its unique and rare glass beads.

To clean most African beads use a small amount of Mineral Oil (found at your local grocers) on a clean cloth and rub. Not recommended for old or Antique beads as their dirt is well earned and adds to their history.

Cleaning agents such as soap are not advised.

African trade beads originated from Europe and were in the past used for trading purposes in Africa in the period between the 17^th century and the early 20^th century. Before the abolition of slavery, these beads were historically used by chiefs as currency in exchange for slaves, as well as gold and ivory. African trade beads were also popular amongst the African men and women of social standing as they were also a symbol of wealth.

One of the most common materials used to make African trade beads in the past was Venetian glass. Other materials included wood, metal and coral. Today, African trade beads are becoming common accessories on the bodies of discerning females. Both girls and women, whether African or not, are embracing African trade beads and adorning their bodies with exquisite jewelry items such as bracelets and necklaces. Hobbyists also indulge themselves in beading projects using these beads, while African history enthusiasts are fast becoming avid collectors as well.

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Many popular Ghana beads date back over one hundred years, having been retrieved from ancient burial grounds. However, if the idea of wearing those from a burial ground does not sit well with you, you may opt for Krobo beads which are produced from other recycled materials such as glass bottles. There are 3 main types of Krobo glass beads: powder glass, translucent and painted glass beads. Krobo beads are ideal for the environmentally conscious shopper who wishes to leave less of a carbon footprint, while still appearing elegant.

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How to Craft Glass Beads

1. First, wash the bottles and other glass items to be used, and then sort by color. Break these down into small fragments to be used for the translucent ones. Alternatively, pound them with a metal mortar and pestle, and then sieve to obtain a very fine powder to make the powder glass ones. Use ceramic dyes to create different colored glass powder.
2. Next, place the powder in clay bead moulds coated with kaolin to prevent the fused glass from sticking to the surface. Put cassava stalks into the moulds containing colored glass powder. These stalks will burn during the fusion and leave holes to allow for threading.
3. Cook the beads in a traditional kiln made from termite clay. Translucent ones cook for 35-45 minutes at 850-1000 deg. Celsius; while powder glass ones cook for 20-30 minutes at 650-850 deg. Celsius. Cook the painted ones twice – the second time in order to fix the paste of colored glass powder used to decorate them.
4. Once the translucent ones are removed from the kiln, make a center hole using an awl. One awl will maintain the mould in place, while the other will turn the bead around in the mould to shape it. In the meantime, the fused glass will slowly harden at room temperature.
5. Leave the beads to slowly cool in the moulds for about one hour to prevent them from cracking. Take them out of the mould, and then wash and polish them by vigorously rubbing them with sand and water on a smooth stone surface.

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