African Trade Beads

Sandra Paluzzi
The Bead Peddler®

The term African trade beads has been applied to two types of beads:  those first traded to Africa and those that come out of Africa today.  This month we will discuss the original African trade beads.  Next month we'll talk about the beads made in Africa.

Beads have been important in Africa since long before Christ was born.  They were made and cherished by tribes throughout the years.  Is it any wonder that the beads brought by the 15th century merchants were prized?

The original African Trade Beads arrived on board ship from Venice, Bohemia and Holland, but primarily from Venice.  They were traded for ivory, gold, slaves and other valuables.  It is interesting to note that  as the beads were traded for slaves, the slaves themselves took the process of creating African beads around the world with them.  These beads are still made  internationally  by African descendants today and have been incorporated into many cultures.  However, I should get back to the topic of those beads created by Europeans for the people of Africa.

The demand for the Venetian Trade beads became so intense that specific beads were created for trade with Africa.  Ships would arrive laden with sample cards and ready made beads.  The Africans placed so much value on the trade beads because they were made of a process unknown to them.  As I stated in another column, the Venetians were the first to mass produce the fancy glass beads and beadmakers were sworn to secrecy.  The African tribes people were drawn to bright or earthy colors and particularly liked the millifiori, chevron, striped melon and eye beads.   African trade beads were so varied that their pictures fill several volumes of published books. Perhaps the most comprehensive books  on the African Trade Beads are the volumes written by Ruth and John Picard.  They are available from amazon.com

The European made trade beads were very prized by the African tribes.  They were a symbol of wealth and status.  It is said that during ceremonies, some tribal chiefs wore so  many strands of trade beads that attendants had to support them when they stood.  The trade beads were passed down from one generation to another.  Some of them were buried with their owners.  Some tribes people have unearthed beads. When asked where the beads came from, they would say 'from the ground'.  As we will discuss next month, this statement itself can have two meanings.  The Africans themselves make beads form the earth.   

Today the tribes people are selling off some of the original trade beads.  They are fetching quite a tidy sum.  Whether this is just good business or selling off their heritage is debatable. 

Register to win 25.00 Worth of Beads and   Beading Supplies

 Click here to visit The Bead Peddler®

Full line of
  * Bali sterling
    beads   
 * Indian glass
    beads
 * Czech beads
 * Stringing
    materials
 * Tools   
 * Findings.

Wholesale prices available to the public!