The ancient Egyptians used beads and charms starting around 2200 BC to achieve decoration, beauty, fashion and vanity. Early Egyptian jewelry beads were mostly crafted from clay, stone, ivory, bone, faience, glass, bronze, copper, silver and wood. These beads developed into an item utilized for trade by the Egyptians mostly with the nations of Kush and Nubia.
The usage of beads as jewelry beads remained a custom in many other nations of Africa. Originally 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 have been also used on blankets as well as other kinds of clothing. By the fifteenth century, glass beads had been introduced by Europeans. Because the glass beads were actually in many different colors and shades, they were utilized for elaborate bead work for the very wealthy in southern Africa. Kings in countries such as Ghana, Mali and Nigeria dressed in royal garb so greatly beaded that attendants would assist them to move about in carrying out their duties.
Beadwork has also been made to clearly define societal position among women. Certain designs worn by women would specify young girls from elder women in certain tribes. Bead work would show if girls were engaged and to be wed. Particular bead work also was used to accentuate brides and those women who just had recently given birth to their first child.
In today's Africa, beads continue to be used and held in high respect. In East Africa beads are made of ostrich eggshells that are common on the Kalahari Desert. In West Africa beads are made of gold and these are known as soul money and they are used in different ceremonies of child naming, adolescence rites in addition to funerals. One other popular material for beads can be glass. Bottle glass is melted and recycled into a variety of colors and patterns. These types of beads are irregular and signify a sense of luxury to the individual wearing it.
In North Africa the Berber tribal women make huge quantities of colorful beads. The beads function as a family possession. When the family earnings are poor then the beads are sold. The price of the bead is determined on the weight. Bead materials contain amber, coral, amazonite, silver and glass. The various kinds of beads convey various connotations. Amber safeguards against diseases while coral and silver are good luck charms.
All through Africa artists carry on the age old custom of creating wonderful beads.
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