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The Craft Of Beading & The Skill Of Bead Work And Its Importance Throughout The History Of Africa
The ancient Egyptians made beads and charms roughly around 2200 BC for the purpose of decoration, beauty, fashion and vanity. Historic Egyptian jewelry beads were made from clay, stone, ivory, bone, faience, glass, bronze, copper, silver and wood. These types of beads developed into an object utilized for trade by the Egyptians mostly with the countries of Kush and Nubia.
The usage of beads as jewelry beads continued to be a tradition in many different nations of Africa. At first their beads were being made of 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 as well as other types of garments. Near the fifteenth century, glass beads had been introduced by Europeans. Since the glass beads were actually in many different colors and shades, they were used in elaborate bead work for the very wealthy in southern Africa. Kings in countries like Ghana, Mali and Nigeria wore elegant garb so greatly beaded that attendants would have to assist them to move about in carrying out their duties.
Beadwork has also been used to clearly define social status between women. Certain designs worn by women could specify young girls from elder women in certain tribes. Bead work would indicate if girls were engaged and to be married. Specific bead work also was applied to accentuate brides and the women who just had recently given birth to their first child.
In today's Africa, beads continue to be used and held in high regard. In East Africa beads are made of ostrich eggshells which are prevalent around the Kalahari Desert. In West Africa beads are made of gold and they are known as soul money and they are used in various ceremonies of child naming, adolescence rites and funerals. Another popular substance for beads can be glass. Bottle glass is melted and reused into a variety of colors and patterns. These types of beads are irregular and denote a sense of luxury for the person.
In North Africa the Berber tribal women make large quantities of brightly colored beads. The beads function as a family possession. If the family earnings are bad then the beads are sold. The value of the bead is established on the weight. Bead components contain amber, coral, amazonite, silver and glass. The various kinds of beads carry various meanings. Amber protects against illnesses while coral and silver are good luck charms.
All through Africa designers carry on the age old custom of making wonderful beads.
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