Most obviously, ancient jewellery was used as a source of adornment for both women and men. The history of African trade beads dates as far back as the fifteenth century with the coming of the Portuguese. According to the Africa Facts Organization, “ Jewelry in Africa is seldom just ornamental; rituals, religion and ceremonies play a large part.” They function as money, they possess power, they indicate wealth, they are spiritual talismans, and they form coded messages. African beads and beadwork carry great significance across the continent. Beads are an integral part of African history from time immemorial. The beads they found were crafted out of various objects and materials including gold, iron, ivory, organic objects and bone. The beads' history dates to the 15th century when Portuguese trading ships arrived on the coast of West Africa to exploit its many resources, including gold, slaves, ivory and palm oil. In history these beads are recorded to have been worn as early as the 15th century to serve many celebratory purposes including rites of Many people believe that Phoenician mariners brought the first beads to Africa but there is no physical evidence to support this theory. The process of glass bead production was a highly guarded secret in Italy. While there’s so much history behind waist beads, it’s generally agreed that the existence of waist beads dates back to antiquity, as far back as the 15th century. The were worn a symbols of womanhood, fertility, protection and spirituality. Beads were also used historically as currency. The Egyptians, favourably placed to trade with Africa to the south, were probably the first to peddle for gold, ivory and slaves. Right on our shores, ostrich shell beads – believed to be 40,000 years old – were discovered in the ‘Enkapune Ya Muto’ (Twilight Cave) in Kenya. Glass beads appear to have been a by-product of the discovery of glass, said to have occurred in Egypt during the rule of the pharaohs as well as amongst the Chaldeans and Sumerians some 30 centuries ago. Trade beads were bartered for ivory, gold and slaves. Upon arrival in West Africa, the Portuguese discovered just how important beads were to the African people. History of Beads. AFRICAN TRADE BEADS Most African trade beads are Venetian, dating back to the mid-1800’s. https://www.worldremit.com/en/stories/story/2019/10/09/beads-ghana Although trendy, African women have traditionally worn these beads as a symbol of femininity and prosperity for centuries. The tradition of African waistbeads were made popular by the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria. The styles, uses and meaning of African beads and beaded items varies by country, region and community, but beads are a common theme in African jewelry, art and culture. Venetian beads were distributed worldwide and traded by the thousands through Africa in the late 1800’s. The history of waist beads can be traced back as early as the 15th century. In fact, many scholars are of the opinion that the history of beads began in ancient Egypt (North Africa) where they were donned by beautiful women as a status symbol. At that time, glass beads were a major part of the currency exchanged for people and products. Group Culture Coordinator & Researcher Rukariro Katsande weighs in on the significance of beads in African culture…
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