Beads Along With Bead Work And Its Impact In The History Of Africa

 

The ancient Egyptians utilized beads and charms starting around 2200 BC for decoration, beauty, fashion and vanity. Ancient Egyptian jewelry beads were mostly created out of clay, stone, ivory, bone, faience, glass, bronze, copper, silver and wood. These types of beads developed into an item utilized for exchange by the Egyptians mostly with the countries of Kush and Nubia.

The use of beads as jewelry beads remained a custom in many different nations of Africa. Originally their beads were being crafted from wood, shells, clay, stone or grass seeds. Most of these beads were used for necklaces, bracelets or anklets. The beads were also used on blankets and other kinds of clothing. Near the fifteenth century, glass beads had been introduced by Europeans. Because the glass beads were actually in various colors and shades, they were used in intricate bead work for the very wealthy in southern Africa. Kings in countries such as Ghana, Mali and Nigeria dressed in elegant garb so greatly beaded that attendants would assist them to move about during their duties.

Beadwork has also been used to define societal position between women. Certain designs worn by women would specify young girls from older women in certain tribes. Bead work would indicate when girls were engaged and to be wed. Particular bead work also was applied to accentuate brides and those women who just had recently given birth to their first child.

Within today's Africa, beads continue to be used and held in high regard. In East Africa beads are made from ostrich eggshells that are common around the Kalahari Desert. In West Africa beads are made of gold and these are known as soul money and they're used in various ceremonies of child naming, puberty rites in addition to funerals. One other popular substance for beads can be glass. Bottle glass is melted and recycled into a variety of colors and styles. These types of beads are irregular and denote a sense of elegance to the individual wearing it.

In North Africa the Berber tribal women make large quantities of colorful beads. The beads function as a household possession. If the family income is poor then the beads are sold. The price of the bead is established on the weight. Bead materials encompass amber, coral, amazonite, silver and glass. The different kinds of beads carry different connotations. Amber safeguards against illnesses while coral and silver are good luck charms.

All through Africa artists carry on the popular custom of making beautiful beads.

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