Large and colourful beads symbolised wealth and social status in many African societies. Historically, bead-makers would use locally found natural materials including exotic woods, cowrie shells, animal teeth, bone and ivory. Waist beads and bead making are surrounded by history and splendor in African art, music, and literature. Archaeologists even discovered small shells strung together in a South African cave that they determined to be more than 75,000 years old! Due to the sheer diversity of cultures, indigenous tribes and ethnic backgrounds – there is still a large proportion of rural communities and tribe-dominated provinces that adhere to the beliefs of animism, holistic healing and even magic. Waist beads… African beads were used historically as currency, and continue to be valuable in trade as jewelry, ornamentation and works of art. Beads have played a huge part in many African cultures both historically and in contemporary times. In the 21st century, many African people continue to use and wear beads for cultural recognition, status and adornment. Bead work continues to be an important tradition across the continent, and contemporary artists continue to experiment with new designs and colors. It is a common ritual within Ghanaian tribes, especially the Krobo – to tie a multicolored string of Old Venetian Glass Trade Beads around the waist of a new-born baby to ward off disease, evil and negative aura. According to history, the Egyptian nobles were known for adorning even their pets with beads, while Nigerian kings also wore beads to show their royalty. Natural wood beads are porous, allowing essential oils to be easily absorbed into the bead. Wooden beads can be found in several different hues and color variations ranging from very light (almost white) to extremely dark (ebony). Below are some bead color meanings: Black – Power and protection Wearing and most important owning and old African jewelry or bead is believed to provide wisdom, hope, luck and well-being to its owner. Archeologists have found beaded necklaces and beads buried with chiefs and kings in ancient African graves. Rosewood – Can help promote feelings of compassion, healing, love and spirituality. Black: power, evil, death, mystery Grey: security, authority, maturity, stability You may find some or all of the Ashtamangala symbols used in our products, especially on our japa mala bags . The Language of Beads By Bob Burch There is little in Africa that costs so little-or costs so much. Choosing the right colour of beads remains as important as its design, weight, length, and flexibility. At the time, glass bead making technologies were more sophisticated in Europe, which made these colourful beads very attractive and highly valued to the African elite who were willing to accept the beads as a form … Bead’s color is a magical element which symbolizes emotion and connection to events and feelings. Yellow: wisdom, knowledge, clarity, increasing awareness and calming nerves. Economical and traditional African Jewelry It is thought they will then be able to pay any debt of sin with these beads. The tradition of African waistbeads were made popular by the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria. Each mala necklace has a purpose – that’s a no brainer. Trade Beads were for centuries the primary currency of African economy, however they are also thought to be a form of currency exchange for the soul, with certain Gods. They are a way to show ones position on religion by wearing a specific pattern of colors that the religion uses. Animals of flight, such as birds and bats are thought to be carriers of souls, fortune and good luck. African beads have for centuries been exchanged for food and livestock. Waist beads… As you'll have noticed from our multifarious range of sourced African Trade Beads, they come in many different colors, shapes and sizes that it is impossible to cover the unique properties of each type. Egyptians in pre-Christian times created ornate beads out of faience, a type of glazed quartz, along with precious metals. Some African women, such as the Yoruba of West Africa, wear beads around their waists to highlight their figures, for dancing, and for healing and rejuvenation purposes. Waist beads and bead making are surrounded by history and splendor in African art, music, and literature. In Ghana, the “circle of life” starts with birth, and ends in death – marked in between by a number of important milestones, such as puberty, marriage, child-bearing and the menopause. In history these beads are recorded to have been worn as early as the 15th century to serve many celebratory purposes including rites of Do not let influencers fool you into thinking that only slender women can wear them because African waist beads are worn beautifully by women of all shapes, sizes, and ages. They look like Blessing beads, but they are black (blessing beads are in pure colors) but what does the black beads mean/symbolize?? There is evidence that the descendants of Native Americans in prehistoric times used beads as adornment in jewelry as well as a way to trade. Beads were also used historically as currency. African beads have fascinating cultural significance, including representations of beauty, pride, power and identity, to the extent that bead work can be considered a complex language of its own.

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