African Beads

 Africa has quite a history of beads traded and created by the African people. Most recently a discovery of 41 shell beads were found in the Blombos cave in South Africa near Cape town. These beads archeologists dated back to 75,000 years old. The type of shell is known as Nassaurius Kraussianus.

Other ancient beads in Africa were made from cowie shells, seeds, twigs, bone, clay, and ivory.

In the late 15th century one of the most desired glass beads came to Africa from the Island off Venice Italy named Murano, Bohemia, and the Netherlands. These beads were called "Chevron Beads". They were traded in Africa ( like money ). Nicknamed "Trade Beads". The Europeans that had these Venetian Glass "Chevron" beads  traveled through Africa and used these beads to buy goods, merchandise, and even slaves. 

The Zulu people, from KuaZulu Natal, in the late 1400s considered beads to hold great value. They even made a much sought after glass bead. Many of the wealthy leaders had large collections. 

Over in Kenya, Africa, the native Maasai tribes experienced great droughts. When relying on goat and cow milk declined. The Maasai woman turned to beading for their income. 

Ghana is an other bead hub, located in west Africa. Known for their "Krobo" beads made from ground recycled Glass.

One Tribe in Africa known for their beads is the Dogon tribe. They acquired many of their beads from the Dutch as well as making their own beads from clay.

Still today many bead collectors consider African Trade Beads to be some of the most highly collected beads from around the world.

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