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Beading And The Skill Of Bead Work And Its Impact In Historic Africa
The ancient Egyptians used beads and charms roughly around 2200 BC for decoration, beauty, fashion and vanity. Early Egyptian jewelry beads were created out of 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 countries of Kush and Nubia.
The usage of beads as jewelry beads continued to be a tradition 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 were also used on blankets as well as other types of garments. 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 used in elaborate bead work for the very wealthy in southern Africa. Kings in countries like Ghana, Mali and Nigeria wore royal garb so greatly beaded that attendants would assist them to move about in carrying out their duties.
Beadwork has also been used to clearly define social status among women. Certain designs worn by women would 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 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 regard. In East Africa beads are made of ostrich eggshells which are prevalent on the Kalahari Desert. In West Africa beads are made of gold and these are known as soul money and they are used in various ceremonies of child naming, adolescence rites and funerals. Another 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 denote a sense of luxury for the person.
In North Africa the Berber tribal women make huge quantities of colorful 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 determined on the weight. Bead materials contain amber, coral, amazonite, silver and glass. The various kinds of beads carry various meanings. Amber protects against diseases while coral and silver are good luck charms.
All through Africa artists carry on the age old custom of making wonderful beads.
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